University of Virgina or USC

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hey Guys,</p>

<p>I have quite a dilemma here. Recently I have been looking into UVA and I am very much interested in applying (Great Academics, Great Law School, Strong History Program, and although irrelevant thomas jefferson is my favorite president and founding father) and USC has been on my list for a while (Great accounting program, excellent city life, and I know many people there) but for some reason I removed it and I visited Los Angeles over my fall break (I was born there) and I fell in love with it again and now I am adding it onto my list. I have a 27 ACT score and a 1980 SAT score with a 3.92 GPA and I am ranked 32nd out of 590 students in my class and my class is extremely competitive. I have heard UVA's reputation is extremely well educated, like the most brilliant kids go there and I don't know if the courseload and the work ethic there maybe overwhelming for me since I am not a naturally smart person, I am extremely hardworking like most of the people on the board. USC on the other hand is known for its rich boy attitude and I am by no means on the top of the socioeconomic crust (lower middle class) and I can see myself probably doing well but I don't know because the admissions statistics look extremely overwhelming as well. I lived in Inglewood for 9 years growing up so I am used to the high crime rate so I am not worried about it. I have a couple of potential/possible hooks: First Generation college student (father attended for two years and never finished but mother never attended) and I am an ethnic minority (Sri Lankan Tamil). I would be very grateful if someone can help me out in this situation by answering which school is a better fit for me? </p>

<p>Much Appreciated,
spt.leonidas</p>

2

<p>I don’t see any reason not to apply to both. My daughter went to a school known for rich kids and didn’t notice the kids to be any different than any other ones she knew. If you are hardworking that will serve you well at either one, but don’t let the reputation of any grad school or professional school sway you for your undergraduate education. When you get into both, then come back if you can’t decide which to attend. Good luck.</p>

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<p>i would just like to say that USC’s spoiled children attitude is an antiquated stereotype. if that’s what is holding you back from applying, i can assure you that you should not be concerned.</p>

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<p>Apply to both, but be prepared not to get into UVA. It is VERY hard for an OOS student to get into UVA and your stats are probably not high enough. Being first gen isn’t really a hook. </p>

<p>What schools are your financial safety schools?</p>

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<p>@mom2collegekids: Thanks for your input… TAMU and UT Austin are my main financial safeties as of now…</p>

<p>@BrownParent and josebiwasabi: Thank you all for your insight … I might just stick with USC… and joe that stereotype is not the only reason… the 24% acceptance rate seems intimidating as well… after all UVA’s acceptance rate for OOS is about 27% or so right? So honestly which one would be more difficult?</p>

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<p>If you are OOS, your test scores will keep you out of UVa, which routinely rejects 2200’s OOS. And 'SC would likely offer you a spring admit. Thus, time to fall out of love with those two.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, a SE Asian is not considered a minority for admission purposes at major research Unis. (There are plenty in California who already apply to 'SC.)</p>

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<p>^^ why a spring admit?</p>

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<p>Haha, I like both of these schools, though I don’t think I’m going to apply to USC…just too far away. Sounds awesome though. UVa is probably my top choice. But its tough OOS. </p>

<p>Good luck</p>

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<p>'SC really cares about their rankings, and the stats of Spring admits do not show up in the Common Data Set, i.e., USNews.</p>

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<p>^^ ohh I see so that means one would either have to go and transfer after one semester from another college or just take a semester off? Doesn’t sound like its a good idea if its not your top top school right?</p>

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<p>^^it all depends on what you want to do. Some spring admits enroll in a local community college and complete some general ed requirements. Others might study abroad for a semester. But yeah, if it’s not your top school…</p>

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<p>^^ Ok gotcha! So should I just fuggettabout both of them? I only have one reach school really and a lot of people say have some more reaches (at least 2)…</p>

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<p>bump? any help appreciated</p>

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<p>*TAMU and UT Austin are my main financial safeties as of now…</p>

<p>have a 27 ACT score and a 1980 SAT score with a 3.92 GPA and I am ranked 32nd out of 590 students in my class*</p>

<p>Do you have guaranteed admittance into TAMU and UT? Do you know for certain that you have all funding to pay the costs? If not, then those schools aren’t financial safeties. </p>

<p>If you’re certain to be admitted and you’re certain to have all costs covered, then those schools can be your financial safeties.</p>

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<p>^^ TAMU has the 10% guaranteed acceptance rule and UT austin has the 8% guaranteed acceptance… I believe I am in around the top 5%… so when you mean financial safeties like all costs covered as in full ride? I don’t think all costs covered…</p>

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<p>*so when you mean financial safeties like all costs covered as in full ride? I don’t think all costs covered… *</p>

<p>For a school to be your financial safety school, you have to be certain that all costs will be covered by ASSURED scholarships, ASSURED grants, small federal student loans, and/or family funds. </p>

<p>If you’re not sure how UT or TAMU would get paid for, then they can’t be your financial safeties. Every spring, we see posts from upset students who find out that they can’t afford their safety schools. A true safety school has to be affordable by the means stated above.</p>

<p>UT and TAMU have costs around $23k per year. Do you know how those schools will get paid for?</p>

<p>*1980 SAT score with a 3.92 GPA *</p>

<p>What is your SAT breakdown? Are you testing again? When?</p>

<p>How much will your parents pay?</p>

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<p>^^ I took teh october 9th test and I am pretty positive I did better than the 1980 last time… my parents are paying full for my sibling who is doing their last year at UT so I would assume they would pay the same for me… I thought TAMU was a tad bit cheaper than UT but I guess I am wrong… my parents said wait till we complete the fafsa, they think we will definitely get some amount of money paid for but obviously they don’t know how much at this point I cannot assume this… my parents combined income bracket is between 70,000-80,000 so I honestly don’t know how much… and UT is apparently notorious for not giving aid or grants according to my brother I don’t know if this is true or not…</p>

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<p>

… :)</p>

<p>In all seriousness – USC is very SAT aware. However, it’s not the worst thing to wait for Spring admit. You can take classes at a JC in Texas and save a semester’s worth of tuition in the process.</p>

<p>However, the more serious issue is that your parents are paying UT tuition now, and you assume they have at least that much for you. UT Tuition + Fees + Books + Room + Board is less than half that of USC. Go ahead, apply, and then if you are admitted, see what kind of financial aid you get.</p>

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<p>Its very hard to get into USC and UVa both from out of state. But NOT impossible. Your SAT is on the bubble. But not completely out of the question and they will both look at your entire application. So apply to both EA if you can, and see what happens. Keep Texas AM on your list as well. UT too. What private schools are on your list?</p>

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<p>Its very hard to get into USC and UVa both from out of state</p>

<p>??? WHY would it be hard to get into USC from out of state? USC has many, many kids from out of state. It’s a private school. Even if you thought that USC was south carolina, that school also is not hard to get into OOS.</p>

<hr>

<p>*my parents are paying full for my sibling who is doing their last year at UT so I would assume they would pay the same for me…</p>

<p>I thought TAMU was a tad bit cheaper than UT but I guess I am wrong… </p>

<p>*</p>

<p>TAMU is a bit cheaper. I just mentioned one price because they’re close in price and prices do go up every year anyway.</p>

<p>my parents said wait till we complete the fafsa, they think we will definitely get some amount of money paid for but obviously they don’t know how much at this point I cannot assume this… my parents combined income bracket is between 70,000-80,000 so I honestly don’t know how much…</p>

<p>You’re not likely going to get much, if any, need-based free money from UT or TAMU. I’m surprised that your parents would think you would get money since they already know that they got nothing for your brother (who is graduating this year).</p>

<p>With an income of about $75k and nominal assets, your FAFSA EFC is going to be about $10,000. If your parents are like many Asian immigrants, they may be fabulous savers so they may have some savings/investments. If so, that can mean a higher EFC. Do they own their own business?</p>

<p>Anyway…a $10k EFC is too high for federal and state grants and Texas publics don’t meet need. So, even though you’ll have “need,” you will probably only get a Stafford loan.</p>

<p>Since your brother is graduating, I don’t know if you can count him in your household. Anyone know?</p>

<p>I took the october 9th test and I am pretty positive I did better than the 1980 last time…</p>

<p>Depending on your SAT results, you may have some other good options…including some merit options… :slight_smile: However, talk to your parents about a budget. They may not understand that EFC doesn’t mean that a school is going to charge a sliding scale and meet need.</p>