<p>How good is the undergraduate Economics program at USC compared to others in the state and the country? I'm seriously considering applying but it never ranks highly or has received poor reviews compared to say, UCLA and UCSD. People say go to Marshall or don't go to USC at all. How true are these statements or are they just plain wrong? Thanks!</p>
<p>Dude.
As you have probably noted the Dornsife School has been the recipient of one of the largest gifts in SC history. This has enabled the school to add library holdings, increase scholarships and enhance the faculty by adding more outstanding professors. Recently the Dept. of Philosophy has received a new ranking of #7. Another department which has added faculty “stars” is economics. It takes a period of time for other university deans to recognize rapid changes. </p>
<p>Skim over the list recently posted again regarding new faculty at SC. On the list are noted professors such a Dr. Hasham Pesaran from Cambridge, Dr. Josh Aizenman from Univ. of Chicago, Dr. A. Nyshadham from Yale, Dr. Joel David from UCLA, Dr. Yu Wei Hsieh from NYU and scholar Dr. Arie Kapteyn who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Leiden. He came to SC from the Rand Corporation.</p>
<p>Those professors will join National Academy of Sciences member, Dr. Richard Easterlin, Dr. Cheng Hsiao, Ph.D. Stanford; Dr. Guo fu Tan, Ph.D. Cal Tech and Dr. Huyngsik Roger Moon, Ph. D. Yale. The above are just a few of the economics department distinguished faculty.</p>
<p>I suggest you study the list of faculty, read more about the Dornsife School and try to visit the campus. Adding one more school to your common application list is not a huge problem. SC is a place where you can thrive among a student body which is not only one of the most diverse in the nation, but also one of the most talented.</p>
<p>Many students change majors in college. In my opinion your input about SC indicates lack of knowledge about the university. Marshall is a fine business school, but SC’s schools of pharmacy, music, cinema, dramatic arts, dentistry, communication/journalism, gerontology and public policy are all highly ranked. Occupational science and occupational therapy are ranked #1 in both fields. </p>
<p>Just this week Dornsife announced $2.5 million more in gifts and research funding. </p>
<p>USC has no impacted majors. Many students with AP credits now graduate in 3 1/2 years. Do research on your own. You may discover SC could be a good fit for you.</p>
<p>Additionally, the study of economics on an undergrate level is pretty much the same at every university. I recommend that you look at the curriculum at each uni and see what electives they offer. </p>
<p>One thing that USC has that the others don’t is the ability to double major or minor in business.</p>
<p>The old notion that USC’s only school worth going to is the business school is long gone. All of USC’s professional schools are in the top 10-15 of their respective fields. </p>
<p>Dornsife, as GG has mentioned, has recieved many large financial gifts in the recent years. Most notably is the $200 mm naming gift, which has allowed it to obtain highly noted faculty and maintain fantastic resources for its students. </p>
<p>Dornisfe has a unit goal to brining in $750 mm by 2018. It is currently on target to hit that goal. UCSD’s ENTIRE endowment including health system is $560 mm. Just imagine the possibilities. </p>
<p>Additionally, USC is stellar on job placement. Our alumni network is exteremly influential.</p>
<p>It was just announced on the Dornsife website the Department of Economics has received gifts of $8 million dollars from alumni.</p>
<p>where is the link? I can’t find it</p>
<p>phily,</p>
<p>On the Dornsife site is a menu. Under the news topic go down the list of titles to November 1. There is the article. The title is “Dawn of a New Econ”. The names of prominent alumni who donated is included.</p>
<p>USC has a long way to go before being considered an economic research juggernaut, despite the donations.</p>
<p>Economics, like most academic subjects, USC lags. </p>
<p>Marshall and professional programs remains USC’s strengths. There is a reason it’s called “University of Special Connections”.</p>
<p>I forgot to say that the economics rankings are based on research program pedigree. USC currently lacks the research pedigree in economics.</p>
<p>ChemEGrad,</p>
<p>The only individual who calls SC “University of Special Connections” is you.</p>
<p>My D is a sophomore at USC, and she finds the economics program very stimulating. She started out last year intended to major in Biochemistry, now she switched to double major in Economics and Env Science & Health.</p>