UM vs USC for business

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>I got into UM and USC, and I'm having a hard time deciding where to go if I want to major in business. I know that Michigan ranks higher academically and Ross is better than Marshall, but I got into Marshall School of Business already whereas I would still have to apply to Ross before sophomore year. I heard that the acceptance rate to Ross is only about 30%. Is this true? </p>

<p>Also, USC is private but Michigan is public. I heard Michigan's class size is 6,000 but USC has a class of 2,600. Another thing is, I heard many of michigan's intro classes are taught by TA's, but only professors teach classes at USC. </p>

<p>And lastly, I live in California, so I would have to pay OOS tuition to go to Michigan. BUT, it would still be cheaper than tuition for USC.
Any opinions??</p>

2

<p>Crayoloa, I'm in the same boat as you. Unfortunately, I have to decide between those two and also NYU Stern and Carnegie Mellon Tepper.</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
Also, USC is private but Michigan is public. I heard Michigan's class size is 6,000 but USC has a class of 2,600.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>How the **** does that matter? I'm sick of people saying that private schools are better than publics because of class size. </p>

<p>That said, if you don't want to take a risk, go to Marshall. If you want to work in California after you graduate, go to USC. Otherwise, Michigan is a better school than USC, and if you think you're good enough to get into Ross, take a risk and go to Michigan.</p>

4

<p>I would recommend you visit both schools and see which one appeals more to you. This said, I would like to dispell a few myths:</p>

<p>1) Getting into Ross is not guaranteed, but I would say the odds of getting into Ross are better than 30%. It is more like 40%. One should remember than many of those who are turned down by Ross simply aren't "Ross material". If you can maintain a 3.5+ GPA (which is definitely doable at Michigan), your chances of getting into Ross are more like 70%. </p>

<p>2) USC has only 2,700 per class? I thought it was more like 4,000 per class. </p>

<p>USC</a> Institutional Assessment and Compliance</p>

<p>And USC has larger transfer classes than Michigan. </p>

<p>USC</a> Institutional Assessment and Compliance</p>

<p>USC has 17,000 undergrads and Michigan has 25,000 undergrads. Both are large so I don't think you should let size determine your choice.</p>

<p>3) Don't fall for the old trick that private universities use to convince people that TAs do not teach. It is a lie, plain and simple. Private universities simply chose to redefine what qualifies as a class, public universities do not. Those intro level Calculus and Writing classes aren't counted as classes by most private universities, whereas they are by state universities. Also, many private universities do not count the discussion groups (generally led by TAs) that meet after large lectures for intro level courses whereas state universities do. However, I can assure you that USC has as many classes taught by TAs as Michigan. And you will soon find out that is not such a bad thing because TAs can sometimes teach better than professors. </p>

<p>ENGL</a> | USC Schedule of Classes</p>

<p>Introduction to English writing is one course at Michigan that is taught by PhD students. At USC, that class (English 303) is taught by lecturers (Tervalon and Segal), both of which aren't professors. </p>

<p>USC</a> College Department of English</p>

<p>They do not have a PhD in English. They both have MA degrees in education. In fact, the PhD candidates teaching English writing at Michigan are probably more qualified to teach intro to Writing than those lecturers at USC. So be careful when you hear the claim that a particular university does not have TAs teaching. That's just a smoke screen aimed at deceiving students and their parents. The fact is, regardless of the university, private or public, a star professor is seldom going to teach basic Calculus, intro to college Writing or level 1 or 2 of a Foreign Language. It happens from time to time, but it is not at all comon.</p>

<p>You have a tough decision to make. I suggest you visit the two campuses and base your decision on which campus feels better.</p>

5

<p>Wow Alexandre, that was really helpful! Thanks!</p>

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<p>Crayola - if you think you're up for the challenge of getting into Ross, which includes getting a top GPA, participating in extracurriculars and obsessing over writing great essays, then Michigan's the way to go. If you want to play safe, Marshall it is. </p>

<p>I don't know if you would consider this a factor in your decision but note that the admission rates are going down for Ross. It was 33% in Fall 2007 and will definitely decline in 2008.</p>

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<p>Jcao - Stern seems the best option as it's only slightly below Ross and the recruitment there is great!</p>

8

<p>jcao-Stern is the best in terms of recruitment, although Tepper probably has the best curriculum. </p>

<p>crayola-I think both schools are very similar except in terms of weather. I don't think there is so much of a difference between the two schools in terms of the risk involved in going to Michigan and having to get into Ross. The main difference is recruiting. However, from a personal choice, I would choose Michigan. You may not like Michigan, and I feel like adjustment issues can really hinder your grades. How do you feel about your ability to adjust? If you think you can adjust, I think you should go to Michigan.</p>

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<p>I wonder what USC TAs do if they don't teach classes???</p>

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<p>I wrote this on another similar thread, but even in CA, USC isn't the best school. Not even in Southern CA.</p>

<p>In terms of business, you'll be competing with grads from Cal (Haas), Stanford, and UCLA. In SoCal, UCLA is much more renowned academically than USC. So basically w/in its own state, SC is ranked like 4th on the "good schools" list. </p>

<p>Michigan is just a better school, no matter what you want to do. So purely based on academic quality, Michigan or NYU would be best.</p>

<p>And also, SC is smack in the middle of South Central LA, the #3 most dangerous city in America. Not a college town at all.</p>

11

<p>
[quote]
but I would say the odds of getting into Ross are better than 30%. It is more like 40%

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The rate dropped to 33% last year, and it's most likely going to be down in the 20's when the OP would apply.</p>

12

<p>I would choose umich, they seem to have a stronger academic program.
however, USC is strong too, and though it is behind cal, ucla, and stanford, recruitment in california is not shabby at all. I would rate NYU and umich the same, a tradeoff of slightly better academics versus better recruitment. I'm not sure about tepper, it sounds really good, but I have nothing to use to compare it with.</p>

13

<p>Nick, Are you sure you are on the right forum? You must be looking for the Ross vs USC vs NYU vs Tepper thread.</p>

14

<p>I think Alexandre pretty much nailed it. Michigan is a tip-top school in my book -- one of the quality elite places. USC is moving in that direction.</p>

<p>I think it boils down to two things (to restate what others have said and to add one more):</p>

<p>1) Which do you like better after visiting?</p>

<p>2) If you want to work in LA after graduating and know this for sure, go to USC. If you think you want to get out in the big wide world, go to Michigan. I say this because all else being equal one is always better off broadening one's horizons. Even if you don't get into business at Michigan, you can go to one of those programs like Haas School's BASE program for undergrads (google it). There is no denying that the USC network will work for you well in SoCal. There may be better b-schools undergrad in Cali, but the network is probably not to be topped, based on impressions I've gotten.</p>

<p>You can't really do wrong with either -- not even in terms of big sports programs.</p>