<p>Yeah, I know. One of those threads. Haha. But I'm stuck in a dilemma: I was pretty set on Berkeley until USC contacted me recently telling me I got the International Academic Scholarship which covers half-tuition. I'm in Leventhal for USC (and might double major in business at Marshall, good idea?) and Pre-Haas for Berkeley, although if I don't get in I will probably do econ/applied math double major.</p>
<p>I'm an international student so that actually makes USC cheaper than Berkeley, but I might be planning to work abroad after uni so my main concern is that,
a) US system of accounting really only applies to US, so I might have trouble finding a job (hence the double major... just in case.)
b) The USC name is definitely not as powerful as Berkeley overseas - how much is it going to affect me?</p>
<p>Nevertheless, Leventhal is still a top notch program, so I guess my primary question is: Is it worth paying like, 60-80k more for Haas in your opinion?</p>
<p>I'm not taking into account factors like school environment because I'm neutral towards both North Cal and SoCal - it's going to be exciting no matter where I go.</p>
<p>I'm going to be asking this in the Berkeley thread as well, so hopefully the biases balance each other out. Haha!</p>
<p>YES. Leventhal is definitely worth it. When it comes to be your junior year and such, USC brings the recruiters to you at a reception and then it’s up to you to network with them. It couldn’t be any easier!</p>
<p>The networking and such you receive as well as the job opportunities in SoCal are limitless. I decided not to go to Berkeley because I wasn’t sure if I would get into the business program there, but I got in to the program at USC. At Berkeley, if you don’t get into the business program, you end up pursuing a completely different degree.</p>
<p>I graduated from Leventhal a couple of years ago. Keep in mind that as an international student, your job prospects are GREATLY reduced in the US. My firm doesn’t even hire international students. The maintenance costs are simply too high for foreign workers. (There is more than just sponsoring you for a work visa, there are continuing legal and compliance costs as well).</p>
<p>I don’t want to be a buzz kill but this is something you should know about before you drop tons of money and time on either school. </p>
<p>You need to set yourself apart in oral and written communication and grades. Most of the international students who landed big 4 offers graduated with at least a 3.6-3.7 GPA and spoke like they were raised in the US.</p>
<p>Thanks moss? I’m not sure why you gave me that advice because I never said anything about working in the US after graduation so I have no idea what point you’re trying to make in relation to my case, but that is very solid advice nonetheless so I’ll keep that in mind, thanks. :)</p>
<p>Oops. I skipped over the part where you said you wanted to work abroad. Where do you want to work?</p>
<p>Personally, I’d skip the Accounting degree if I wanted to work abroad. The curriculum is too focused on the US GAAP and the IRC. It is tailored to match what is on the uniform CPA exam. I’d expect some revisions tot he upper level classes once the uniform CPA exam starts testing on IFRS concepts in 2011 though. Even though firms train you, you are less marketable on the international arena by limiting your knowledge to US accounting.</p>
<p>USC IMO has a strong presence in Asia. I did a lot of networking with the USC Alumni group while I was in Singapore. It seemed like they had a all great bond with each other and was willing to help each other out.</p>
<p>Berkeley has a strong presence all over the world. But at the end of the day, 60-80k is nothing to joke about. If you do the right things at SC, you’ll do just as well. It all comes down to busting ass and knowing where you want to be and doing whatever it takes for you to get there.</p>
<p>After 3-4 years out in the working world, no one will care where your degree is from. Just make sure you find a job and BUST YOUR BEHIND moving up the corporate ladder. The world is your oyster once you have some real experience under your belt.</p>
<p>No problem moss! That is really helpful. I was thinking of returning to Singapore or possibly going to various parts of Asia. I’m not writing US off as an option, definitely, because my sister holds a green card so it would be nice to be in a country where I have family members but of course, as you said, it’s not going to be that easy.</p>
<p>I have heard from my sister that some of her USC friends in Leventhal managed to secure a 3 year work visa with one of the Big 4 firms, and they might be switched over to the Asia division, and she says that if you are working for an American MNC (regardless of where the office is) they will use the US accounting system? </p>
<p>Anyway, back to the topic, I suppose it’s reassuring to hear about the strong connections USC has in Asia because truthfully, everyone I’ve asked have never heard of SC, although they are basically the same age as me so I know their opinion does not = employers’ opinion, but I was getting worried that it was indicative of a general lack of knowledge about USC outside of the US.</p>
<p>I know I have to be busting my ass and networking and building up my portfolio anywhere I go, but I was wondering: if Leventhal makes me less marketable due to the nature of the US accounting system being different, then do you think it would help if I go for a double degree in business since business is an universally employable degree? Is that allowed/encouraged or will the work load leave me little time for anything else?</p>
<p>SC does have strong ties to Asia. There are 17 Asian alumni groups. President Sample of USC was the first president of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, now a consortium of 42 research universities.
Two prime ministers of Japan attended SC. South Korea’s Kang Young-Hoon received his MA and Ph.D from USC. Other Asian alumni are:
Ming Hseigh (China) Founder of Cogent Systems (Donated 35 milliion to SC’s engineering school)
Yang Ho Cho (Korea) President of Korean Air Lines
Ron Chan (Hong Kong) Chrm. of Hang Lung Group, Ltd.
Dr. Chang Young Jung (China) President of Yonsei University
Toshiaki Ogasawara (Japan) Chrm. and publisher of The Japan Times
Bongrak Sohn (Korea) Chrm. of TCC Steel and Director of Korea Intl. Trade Association
Helen Feng (China) TV Show Host
Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkohn (Thailand) Minister of Foreign Affairs
George Tyan-Wen Chen (China) Founder and CEO of the Capital Group
Holip Soekawan (Indonesia) Chrm. of ERHO Security Solutions, Inc.
Shiro Naba (Japan) President, Ferragamo Japan
Ken Yasuda (Japan) Coach of Tokyo Sabres
Dr. Lily Chiang (Hong Kong) President of EI Media Technology Ltd.
Feng Deng (China) Co-Founder of Net Screen Technologies
Arthur Lin (Taiwan) Famous inventor who now is Chief Technology Officer of Core Networks at Nokia
Ms. Siriporn Chaiyasuta (Thailand) General Counsel Chevron Asia South, Ltd.
Garrick Wang (China) CEO, Retailco, Inc.
Andru Subowo (Indonesia) Managing Director Bramadi Capital
Bongrak Sohn (Korea) Chrm. TCC Steel
Ms. Sirikate Chirakiti (Thailand) Exec. v. P. Central Dept. Store Ltd.
Rudyan Kopot (Thailand) President and Director, Dipasena Group
Keng Thai Leong (Singapore) Director-General Infocomm Development of Singapore
Goanpot Asvinvichit (Thailand) President & CEO of Govt. Savings Bank
Dr. Mu Dan Ping (China) President of World Heritage Foundation
Shawn Liu (China) Heir to the Liu Yongxing holdings</p>
That is really helpful. I was thinking of returning to Singapore or possibly going to various parts of Asia. I’m not writing US off as an option, definitely, because my sister holds a green card so it would be nice to be in a country where I have family members but of course, as you said, it’s not going to be that easy.</p>