<p>I have been accepted to both of these schools and am trying to make a decision. I really like NYU, but even though I got a 40,000 dollar scholarship, I will still need another about 20,000 a year which would have to be taken out in loans. On the other hand I have been accepted to USC and the honors college, which is supposed to be the best public honors college in the country, and would have little to no debt coming out with my undergrad degree. I want to study biochemistry and go on to get a phd at a good graduate school. would going to a public school like usc hurt my chances of going to a good grad school, or would having about 80000 dollars of debt hurt me more?</p>
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Many students have no real idea of what $80K in debt would be like. You have a fine alternative. Take it. If you do well in school, take part in research, and get to know a few profs so that you can get solid recs, then you will have no problem getting into a good grad school.</p>
<p>Going to a public school will NOT hurt your chances of going to a good grad school. Go with USC.</p>
<p>I went to South Carolina Honors College and I can attest to the quality of the education. A lot of students faced a similar choice and go on to great PhD programs. My friends from USC have gone on to pursue doctorates at Michigan, Northwestern, Columbia, Indiana, and UNC, and I’m sure there is an even wider representation when taking the college as a whole. </p>
<p>The Honors College goes out of its way to notify students of undergraduate research opportunities and there is pretty generous funding through the Magellan Scholar program. NYU would provide you with an excellent education, but the debt would be difficult to manage since you will likely be a student over a decade. We would love to have you join Gamecock nation!</p>