<p>I am currently a Junior enrolled at Penn State as a Finance major in the Smeal College of Business. I recently received my acceptance at USC as an Economics major in the Liberal Arts program. Now, I am really in a quandary in deciding which I should choose. I am still waiting on my financial aid package from USC and I would be paying out-of-state for Penn State. But I would like to know which would be a better choice for my situation without considering financial aid. I applied to Marshall at USC but unfortunately did not take the correct prerequisite calculus course. I could reapply to Marshall once I am at USC but there is no guarantee that I will get in and they only accept applicants in the fall!</p>
<p>Now a little bit about me:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.88
I am from Los Angeles and plan on living in Southern California long-term after I graduate.
I am pursuing a career in the finance industry, specifically Investment Banking.
I plan on getting my MBA in the future.</p>
<p>And these are the pros and cons I have come up with:</p>
<p>USC pros:
-More prestigious
-Closer to home (So Cal!)
-Better alumni network
-Possibly will receive more financial aid
-I've always wanted to go to USC since I was a little tike.
-Just about everyone I know back home (professionally and friends) says
choosing USC is a "no-brainer."
-I am a USC football fan at heart.
-There's a chance I can get into Marshall if I reapply or I can minor in business
if it doesn't work out.</p>
<p>USC cons:
-Most likely will have to take an extra semester or two because of the way the
my credits transferred
-I am not to excited about an Econ major and I get mixed reviews about the
perception and future career prospects with an Econ major.</p>
<p>Penn State pros:
-I am already in the Penn State family
-I am already in the business school with a major that I am happy with
-I have already completed nearly all my Gen Eds so I am on course to
graduate in 2 years.</p>
<p>Penn State cons:
-I don't really enjoy being in the middle of nowhere in "Happy Valley"
-I hate the cold weather!
-Lack of diversity
-It's not USC!
-I have to live in supplemental housing next year (4-8 guys in one room)</p>
<p>So.....What should I do??? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>But what is the perception of economics majors at USC and on the job market? I want to be in investment banking so am I better off with a Finance degree Penn State or economics at USC.</p>
<p>And I’m also hoping I get a lot of financial aid. My dad’s income is too high for financial aid but he has paid a tremendous amount of medical bills for my mother and will probably have to for the rest of her life because of serious medical complications. We are still waiting on USC’s financial aid offer but I am really anxious to see what happens. </p>
<p>I will also probably have to stay extra year at USC. So is USC worth it and should I go no matter what it takes?</p>
<p>Also, should I live on campus or at home to save money? I plan on joining a fraternity and having a lively social life…</p>
<p>Lastly, what is the likelihood of getting into Marshall once I’m already at USC? I would be majoring in economics and taking those classes that have nothing to really do with business school so it would just make things even more complicated. What should i do about that???</p>
<p>But what if I do not get in…I just wasted a lot of money and time when I could have stayed at the B-school I was at? How difficult is it to transfer into Marshall?</p>
<p>Overall, what is better if I want to do investment banking and live in Southern California:
1) Penn State (Finance degree at Smeal College of Business)
2) USC (Economics degree in the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences)</p>
<p>Is getting a degree from USC worth all of the money and extra semesters I have attend to graduate? My alternate option is just staying where I am. I am from So Cal, btw, if you didn’t read my original post.</p>
<p>I need all the advice/opinions that I can get. Thanks</p>
<p>An economics degree is obviously not as valued as a finance degree when it comes to investment banking. A finance course generally teaches you more specific skills than economics, and those specific skills will help make you a more valuable asset to any workplace. Then again, if you want to do investment banking, I don’t see why you would want to go back to SoCal, since it’s not a huge financial hub like New York is. </p>
<p>In the case that you choose NOT to do I-banking, I think an economics degree from USC might suit you a little better. Ideally, switch from CLAS to Marshall when you enroll at USC. I don’t know how easy the process is for transfers, but all I did was shoot Marshall an e-mail and they switched me over in less than a week.</p>
<p>the major is not what matters; most ivy leagues dont even have finance. but marshall has the name and is almost its own little network (like wharton at penn)</p>
<p>there are a lot of IB jobs in LA and if you want to work here, USC is the obvious choice. with that being said there are a lot of psu alum on wall street and it wouldnt hurt to work there for a couple years (and you wont have to ‘redo’ your very high GPA) and get your MBA in cali</p>
<p>@zdmw93 Is it really that simple to transfer into Marshall once I am already there? And I can do it this spring? Do I have to maintain a really high GPA? And I do not have my heart set on investment banking; it is just a future prospect. I want a versatile degree that can help me land a good job most likely in the finance field, but I might be interested in marketing or something down the road.</p>
<p>@kmzizzle I am not guaranteed into Marshall. So if I am in Econ major in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, is it worth it?</p>
<p>And is it worth all the extra money and semesters to graduate from USC? Should that really be an issue? I mean, I can take out heavy loans and find a way somehow to pay for it, but is it worth all the extra classes and tuition costs to get a degree from USC over PSU??</p>
<p>Is graduating from USC really going to get me a career advantage over PSU in the So Cal area?</p>
<p>I plan on earning my MBA from USC. Does that give me any advantage for acceptance later on if I get my undergrad from USC? Btw, I think I’ll have an easier time getting a high GPA at Penn State vs. USC.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all your responses. This really is the biggest/toughest decision I have had to make in my life so far. I don’t know if that a good or bad thing lol.</p>
<p>“Is it really that simple to transfer into Marshall once I am already there? And I can do it this spring? Do I have to maintain a really high GPA? And I do not have my heart set on investment banking; it is just a future prospect. I want a versatile degree that can help me land a good job most likely in the finance field, but I might be interested in marketing or something down the road.”</p>
<p>Again, I don’t know the process for transfers or upperclassmen but as an incoming freshman, all I needed to do was send them an e-mail. In Marshall, you can major in Business Administration, which includes several different concentrations like finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, etc. I think it’s always better to specialize than study something general, or you might turn out a jack of all trades type…</p>
<p>As kmzizzle said, undergrad isn’t everything, especially if you’re pursuing a long-term career in business/finance. You can always work for a few years, get some experience, and then do your MBA at USC or some other university.</p>
<p>The financial concerns you have I can’t really answer. That’s honestly something for you to decide. A USC degree is extremely likely to get you a career advantage in SoCal. If grad school is your aim, I think a strong GPA and teacher recs is really what counts. I’m no expert on this (duh) but I don’t think your undergrad name really matters when it comes to grad school applications. I’m sure you can get into USC grad from PSU undergrad.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision! I hope you’re consulting people other than the ones here on CC :)</p>
<p>Just putting out some points:
-<a href=“Home - USC Marshall”>Home - USC Marshall;
3.5 avg, so I’d say 3.7 to be safe (which isn’t easy here tbh)
-but, you seem to do fine in school so transferring would be pretty easy for you
-but, you have a 3.9 and will have to start your GPA over and most profs here curve @ 3.0
-I don’t believe econ is worth ~$60k a year but I’m biased from Marshall
-You will need financial aid
-USC will help you work in LA
-Putting you want to do MBA at USC may not help (have to ask admissions about that)</p>
<p>ultimately this is your decision, good luck!</p>
<p>I doubt that USC gives substantial if any preference to their undergrads when it comes to grad school admission. In fact, you can reasonably ask why would you want to go to SC for grad school after attending there as an undergrad? You’ll be accessing the same professors, the same facilities the same network - what’s the point? Furthermore, even if there is a small advantage to getting into the grad school realize that by going into “chest deep” debt, you’re actually going to be buying that added advantage. How do you plan on paying for grad school?</p>
<p>USC as a career advantage in Southern California? It will certainly be stronger than any help you’ll get from Penn State. But as your career progresses your ability to get new/better jobs will be based on your performance at your last position. Sure the SC connection might help you get in the door, but it’s going to be about “what have you done for me lately”.</p>
<p>Have you contacted admissions about transferring into Marshall? You’re getting varied input about the ease of transfer within USC; it might be best to get the info straight from the horses mouth.</p>
<p>Finally, the link below is a pdf of the Recruiter Handbook for the Marshall School, I suggest reviewing the companies that hire students as interns and as permanent hires. I bet PSU has a similar package. Compare and decide which school attracts the companies you want.</p>
<p>*Why did you choose PSU the first time around?
*What has changed to make you want to transfer?
*Do you want a Finance degree or an Economics degree?
*If you’re planning on going back for an MBA why do you need/want a Finance degree?
*Do you have a problem with graduating from PSU in two years, getting a job on the East Coast and then applying to California MBA programs in 2-4 years?
*Why didn’t you apply directly to transfer to Marshall?
*Is it impossible to get the job you want in Southern California if you graduate from PSU?
*By transferring to USC-Marshall so late in your academic career will you be able to fully exploit the advantages of the Trojan Family or will those students who have been there all four years have an insurmountable edge?
*How much longer than PSU will you have to attend USC?
*How much more will going to USC cost?
*If you do transfer into Marshall will that make your stay longer or shorter at USC?
*Is it impossible to get a job in investment banking with an Econ degree?</p>
<p>Many of these answers are unknowable, but any successful investment banker knows how to assess and handle risk. This is your first investment deal. You need to answer those questions and assess the risks based on your criteria. The recommendation I would give you straight out of high school is very different than the one I would give you as a rising college junior. Personally, with two years to go on a track to get the degree you want I have a hard time justifying the added debt and time that comes with transferring to USC, especially given that you have no clear idea of the likelihood of getting into Marshall. </p>
<p>Additionally, since you seem intent on attending SC for grad school I certainly don’t see the point of burdening yourself with more debt when you are going to need those resources later (look up efficient use of capital and opportunity costs). Your decision to transfer to USC is fraught with unknowns and nebulous payoffs. You don’t know if you can get into Marshall. You don’t know how much longer getting your undergraduate degree is going to take. You don’t know if, worst case, you can get the job you want with an Econ degree. You’re potentially paying more on the belief that it will be easier to get into Marshall Grad. You’re paying more on the belief that the USC network will definitely provide you with access to the job you want.</p>
<p>If you were a freshman I’d probably argue in favor of SC. As a junior resetting a portion of the clock and incurring the costs that go with that, I suggest staying where you are and looking at SC in 5 years.</p>
<p>Just one man’s opinion. I hope the financial aid package makes all this worrying irrelevant.</p>
<p>“vinceh,” thanks for your articulate and detailed response! I would enjoy hearing from you again once I receive my fin aid.</p>
<p>I just really don’t want to miss out on the opportunity of attending USC, as I was unable to receive acceptance out of high school. </p>
<p>I am really considered about my future, as we all are, but I hope I am not shooting myself in the foot by not going to USC no matter what.</p>
<p>I am not stuck on investment banking. I want a well-rounded degree that I can utilize in many different areas of finance or business in general.</p>
<p>Also, do you think the academic course loud and rigor is more difficult as USC than Penn State? If yes, is it a lot more?</p>
<p>If I do want to be in the finance industry, what do I need to do after undergraduate school? What kind of graduate program and how many years of work experience?</p>
<p>I am in a similar situation as you, since I am thinking about transferring to USC from University of Illinois(which I narrowly picked over PSU), am already in the B-school at Illinois, and am transferring for similar reasons.(bad location, cold weather, 45,000+ kids is ridic)
Assuming you will be a junior this upcoming fall, I don’t think its too late to transfer and transferring from a big school like PSU to another large school like USC shouldn’t make your credits disappear and force you to do a few extra semesters. Work hard and at most it might be one extra semester. If you want to work on Wall Street, staying at Penn State might be the better option since its closer and has better connections to NYC than USC does, but if you want to live/work in SoCal, I’d take USC. USC has warmer weather, its in a great city, and is overall a great school. PSU is an awesome school as well, but the fact that you are doubting it in general and have given such serious thought to leaving shows that it might not be the place where you really want to be. I’m not gonna take a side here, but if you get that financial aid you wanted, you should really take a good hard look at USC. Starting a new collegiate social life on the complete other side of the country and leaving your friends behind might be tough, but if you truly think USC would be better for you than PSU, go for it.</p>
<p>UPDATE: USC has awarded me nearly $35k in financial aid. This makes the yearly cost at USC about the same as Penn State. However, I will have to take an extra year at USC.</p>
<p>So…Is it worth it? Should I trade in a finance degree at Penn State for economics degree at USC?</p>
<p>Also, how difficult do you think an economics major is at USC?</p>