Sorry to interrupt (kinda), as I have a slightly off-topic question. Looks like I will have to go to Emory if I don’t get taken off the waitlist. I know my chances are slim so I’m not counting on that. UChi is most definitely my top choice and I seriously consider transferring next year. Since USC and Emory are similar ranking-wise, and after reading through all the posts, is it really worth it to transfer? How many transfer applicants does UChi normally take?
Just to quantify USC vs. Chicago in median SAT scores for matriculated students, the composite score is 185 points higher at Chicago (2255 vs. 2070).
The median Chicago student is in the 99th percentile of SAT scores, and the median USC student is in the 95th percentile.
Put another way, of the roughly 1.7 million people taking the SAT, about 15,000 get a score at or above 2255, while around 80,000 get a score at or above 2070. So there are over 5 times as many students who achieve the median score at USC.
Opinions will differ on the practical significance of this of course, but it’s a substantial difference in numerical terms.
The median USC Trustee scholar has stats equivalent to that of any of the top U’s. including Chicago.
The Honors programs at USC offer Trustee scholars the same small class size, writing intense type of experience as at Chicago and are taught by the best profs at USC. And its all for free!
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So the exceptional kids at USC are as smart/impressive/well-qualified as typical kids at Chicago.
Honestly, to me this decision comes down to two things – money and institutional culture/climate. If you don’t actively desire the across-the-board academic rigor Chicago is offering, there’s no reason to pay a premium to go there. Excel at either school and you’re well-positioned for grad school (though how well may depend on field or subfield, but that’s always the case).
Wow, I didn’t realize the difference was that much for the national average (however, the spread is probably a lot less for Chicago vs USC Trustee). I guess that the data is highly dependent on region and high school. For the Naviance data for the history of my high school, the median admitted to USC had a 2285, and a 2320 for Chicago, with data for 386 students at USC and 13 at Chicago.
@puzzled123 Certainly the picture could be different for one particular high school. The numbers I mentioned are from the Common Data Sets for USC and Chicago, which have data on SAT scores, class rank etc. for all matriculated students. As far as I know the numbers for USC Trustee scholars aren’t publicly available, though I’m sure they’re higher than the overall USC averages.
There can be a substantial difference between admitted students, which I believe the numbers you mentioned are for, and matriculated students, which is who the numbers I mentioned are for.
If I recall correctly USC has a yield of around 50% which means there can be big differences in SAT scores etc. between all admits and those who decide to attend. With a higher yield at Chicago, there is less possibility of big differences between all admits and those who attend.
You can see this phenomenon pretty clearly in the numbers for the University of California campuses, which have yield rates in the ~30% range, and SAT scores for matriculated students that are well below those for all admits.
Honestly you’d be silly not to save 100k by going to USC. Both are great schools and 100k is worth more than the difference between Chicago and USC, especially for undergrad.
@bluewater2015 Where did you find the UChicago numbers for SAT scores? I was under the impression that UChicago only released CR+M numbers, since that’s all they consider.
Also, a UChicago Common Data Set? For whatever reason, I don’t think they’ve released one in years (correct me if I’m wrong).
@NotVerySmart, as I check my notes on this, you’re right - the data I mentioned are actually from the College Board’s Big Future site as of 2015, not the Common Data Set. It looks like both USC and Chicago have not reported CDS data recently though most peer schools (except Columbia) do.
You can see the latest numbers at the link below. I assumed median would be halfway between the 25th and 75th percentile numbers reported. You can click “See if you’re on track” and “How do I stack up” to see the scores. These are for matriculated students.
The numbers have changed slightly since I looked previously but are close - Chicago is now 2260, USC is now 2085.
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/university-of-chicago#
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/university-of-southern-california#
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I appreciate the input, but I’m not going to make my college decision based on median SAT scores. I’ve decided USC over UChicago, but I’m still deciding between USC and Georgetown. UChicago is an excellent, well-reputed school but it’s more geared towards theoretical learning as opposed to USC/Georgetown’s more practical business education. I appreciate the comment, and good luck to any future students reading over this thread for advice!
Did you recieve a full tuition scholarship from Georgetown?
A degree from USC with Trustee Scholar at the top of your CV will open up more doors and get you more recognition in any area of business than an UG degree from Georgetown.
Thought I’d let everybody know I committed to USC tonight! I’m super excited and confident I made the right decision. Georgetown’s aid package was what I expected based on need calculations, but nowhere near my USC scholarship. Plus, I just interviewed for the Stamps scholarship–if I get it, I get access to an additional $20,000 to be used for education enrichment expenses!
Thanks all for your advice. In the end, the financial benefit of going to USC was just too great.
=D> =D> =D>
congratulations!!
you made the right decision!!
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Congratulations, @ComputerAge.
Waiting2exhale- have you decided yet?
Fight on!
@menloparkmom: Well, to be clear, it is my daughter and not me, but no, she has not. I had an excellent meet with some parents the other day, and left particularly impressed and excited. I can see her there (UChi). She will visit this coming weekend.
BTW, had been thinking of reaching out to you to see if you could let me sleep on your floor as the Airbnb accommodations I had in menlopark, made over a month ago, were cancelled by the host, which left me in a lurch. I finally broke down and made a hotel booking. But, you know, if I get lost…
"if you could let me sleep on your floor as the Airbnb accommodations I had in menlopark, made over a month ago, were cancelled by the host. "
no need to sleep on the floor- we have a FR with its own bath,
when will you be here?
if you do want your own digs I highly recommend the Atherton Inn- a wonderful B&B that is all suites in a quiet neighborhood about 2 miles north of Menlopark/ Stanford.
full breakfast in the mornings-I camped out here for 2 days when we had a MBR toilet leak- have recommended it to everyone ever since!
http://bnblist.com/california-bed-and-breakfast-directory/atherton-inn-redwood-city-california/
Thank you so much for the list, @menloparkmom.
The Atherton did not appear on the one I was using. I will look into it. We are coming out at the end of April.
If little lady here decides to make her home up there, I’ll shoot you a PM.
Congratulations & Fight On! My DD is a Presidential Scholar/Viterbi-ChemE who does not want her freshman year to end! She would definitely recommend that you live in Birnkrant. Even though the dorm is older and does not have A/C, it’s a really special community available only to scholarship recipients. We’ve been incredibly impressed with all that USC has to offer - the positive vibe and professionalism on campus is amazing!! And your parents won’t mind visiting, either 
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