USC is for political economy and Michigan is for economics. Of of state for Michigan so tuition with travel etc is about the same. Son is very social. As a parent I’m concerned about USC wealth culture and Michigan being super big. He is torn and can’t decide.
So both schools are close to the same amount of students. At Michigan you can become what you want to. As far as being big not sure what the issues are. Central campus is really not that large and he will probably not have a need to go to North Campus. But that is just 15 minutes away with the bus and it’s not like he’s alone. The busses are full so a great social avenue.
Like any student, join clubs and groups of interest then all of the sudden you make a big school feel small. Add in some dorm buddies and he will have plenty of friends. It’s all about what he makes of it. The kids active in campus life tend to be the ones getting the amazing opportunities that Michigan can offer.
While Michigan is big - 30,000 undergraduates, USC isn’t a small school either, with almost 20,000 undergraduates.
Overall, for everything but performing arts, I would recommend Michigan over USC.
Graduate of Michigan, live in LA. Neither stereotype is really true.
USC isn’t University of Spoiled Children anymore. There are a lot of kids on financial aid, and anyone that works at USC can send their kids there tuition free. I’d argue Michigan has replaced it. OOS is close to $70,000/year, and the university rarely gives OOS students from upper middle class backgrounds much aid at all.
They’re both really good schools. Michigan is in the most prototypical college town out there, Ann Arbor. It’s a true college experience.
USC also has a true campus experience, but it’s the in middle of the 2nd largest city and metro area in the country, so there’s a lot of culture available. Both have top notch culture, athletic events, concerts, etc.
Michigan never felt big to me at all, and I came from a small high school with only 53 in my graduating class.
To me, it’s a coin flip. Does he want colder weather or sunshine?
@Downtownnorth Congrats to your soon on amazing options! This is a tough decision, but just know there isn’t a wrong option. Personal preference would be USC because of weather (ND student so Midwest is ugh in the winter), but Michigan is outstanding. The only thing I have heard about USC is the wealth factor being a sort of big part in going out and venturing around LA. Ann Arbor is more of a college vibe whereas LA is huge and USC is a small, small part of the city.
thank you for your reply. He’s waitlisted at ND and that where he really wants to go but we will see. He doesn’t know cold weather so it’s hard to judge!