I was admitted to both of these schools but am conflicted with which one to go to. I live in Chicago, so Michigan is easier for transportation. I think I want to go into Real estate Investment when I am older but am not entirely sure.
I was also waitlisted at Northwestern and Vanderbilt. Is there any chance that I get off these waitlists? And if I do, would you go to these schools over the other ones?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
Stephen Ross, Jorge Perez and Sam Zell are all Ross-educated real estate billionaires! 
Seriously, both are great universities with great business schools. If you intend on living in California after college, USC may be a better option, while Michigan would may be a better option if you intend on living in the Midwest or East Coast after college.
Ross is a stronger degree than USC and Vanderbilt. Michigan is the better option over Marshall. The degree travels better.
D just went through the same dilemma, compounded by having parents that are alums at both schools! We are in Chicago as well, and she decided after much research that although both schools are fantastic, as indicated in a prior post the UM degree simply travels better as far as her long term interests go. Best of luck on your decision, many congratulations and hail!
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If you want to live in California and get into real estate, a USC degree is golden. If you want to live elsewhere I’d say Ross.
Michigan has a better reputation for Wall Street-type investment. West Coast business schools tend to focus more on the start-up scene than on investing.
If you’re fairly sure you want to specialize in real estate development and investment, USC has a Bachelors program through the Price School of Public Policy. (Not Marshall.)
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USC has produced the 4th most billionaires of any US school. UM is surely top notch but USC is right there. Not getting the no brainer feel of the thread
Anyone been to USC in the winter vs Ann Arbor. There’s also something known as the Rose Bowl each year that UM is dying to attend. 
Also check out the endowments and alumni giving for each school. USC is off the charts. Someone’s doing ok after graduating it seems.
Michigan over USC for business. No brainer.
…To be fair, Michigan has not had a football crowd as tiny as USC’s in 40+ years.
…Also they did make it to the final 4 of both hockey and basketball this year.
While I am talking about sports, that theme applies to academics as well. Michigan is strong in almost everything if you change your mind… And a huge percentage of students do.
USC grads seem to be very successful. If you want to run the company imho it’s USC. Michigan is great too. Many successful middle managers are produced each year. Or if you want to support teams that are very good but not quite the best as well
I just found the common data sets for campuses which really help. For Vanderbilt, they accepted 178 off the waiting list last year, Only 71 the year before. The don’t say how many the put on the wait list though. Last year Northwestern put 2905 on the wait list, 1892 accepted a spot and ultimately 65 were offered admissions. So for those two schools the chances are pretty small. I completely agree with the statement of go where you want to ultimately live. You are selecting business and the school connections to the region will be very valuable. I know at USC they have a very strong connection to the SoCal business community. Congratulations and Good Luck!
I would personally go for USC Marshall, but Michigan Ross is in a league above Marshall. Ross has a global appeal and, has better brand name in banking and the financial world.
“USC grads seem to be very successful. If you want to run the company imho it’s USC. Michigan is great too. Many successful middle managers are produced each year.”
Wow…snide much?!
Ross and Marshall seem to have produced their fair share of CEOs, executives and billionaires. I am not sure Marshall has the edge on that front.