USC Marshall vs. Michigan Ross

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>I'm having a tough time deciding where to go. My top two schools have been Michigan and Southern California for a while (with Berkeley as a close third), and I've been accepted to both. I was accepted to USC Marshall and I intend to study international business, ranked #3 in the US at Marshall. They gave me a Dean's Scholarship, which is 1/4 tuition each year, although money isn't a huge factor in my decision because both schools are fairly close in price with the scholarship. I love the program at Marshall because it lets you travel abroad so much and I since I'm already accepted to Marshall, I don't have to worry a lot about actually getting into the business school. I'm used to cold weather but I can't say I really like it, and I think LA would be a great place to live because of all the internship opportunities available. Job placement for USC is predominately on the west coast, and I could picture myself living there, but for other geographic locations, Marshall's reputation is not quite as strong. I was accepted to LSA Michigan and I applied to both the honors program and Ross preferred admission. I'm not confident I'll be accepted to UMich preferred admission; Although I have the grades, my dad went, and my sister is currently in Ross, I don't think anything about me stands out enough for preferred admission. Also, if I attend U of M, apply to Ross as a freshman for admission as a sophomore, and get denied, I will have to transfer to another school where I can study business. International business at Michigan is ranked #6, so the difference in ranking isn't huge. However, Ross is rated much higher overall as a business school than Marshall, and although it's absolutely freezing, I have family in Detroit and my sister is studying there as well. Essentially, the trade-off is that USC offers a stronger program, more study abroad opportunities, a cheaper price, guaranteed business school acceptance, and (in my opinion) a better location, but Michigan offers a better overall business program, family nearby, a better reputation overall, and (from what I've heard) more respect in the business world. Opinions on which I should attend and information on job placement or something like that for either school would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much if you read all of this!</p>

<p>I am not a huge fan of USC (local bias – sorry). However, I have taught there and will admit that it has a great program. For business USC is an excellent school and the regional reputation will open many, many doors. Even on a national basis, I doubt that Michigan has much over USC and if you see yourself living in the West then I would choose USC in a heart beat. Just remember that the school is very urban and located in the heart of South Central LA. So do not go too far South of campus on foot especially at night. Having said that the school has a beautiful campus and North of the school is just fine. The students and alumni are unusually loyal to the school and once you are in you are part of the USC family. My chip on my shoulder regard the school is based on local historical bias between USC and other local rival schools like UCLA. But if I were to be fair, I must admit that the school is fantastic and the value of the degree is already first tier and rising rapidly.</p>

<p>Additionally, I know for a fact that USC has a great international program with deep ties to Asia which in my opinion is the most important area for regional growth for your generation. Good luck. Needless to say, I’d advise USC.</p>

<p>In short, both schools have excellent business programs; don’t worry about rank or prestige, it means NOTHING. Right now I am applying as a transfer student to Marshall. I could apply to Ross as well but, speaking as a former Michigan resident, I would NEVER want to leave CA. The real question is where do you want to live and where do you fit in? New York / East Coast or LA / West Coast?</p>

<p>I live in Philadelphia now and I have to say I really don’t like the East Coast attitude. I’m originally from Detroit and I love how kind most Midwesterners are but the area that I live in is quite snobby and I don’t really like it much</p>

<p>From my memory there wasn’t much of a difference between people in Detroit and any other major city on the East Coast. </p>

<p>If you like East Coast/Midwestern people then you should goto Michigan.
If you like West Coast people then USC is clearly the better choice. </p>

<p>It’s just a different attitude. Most people on the east coast (in my experience) are just a little more reserved than people in the Midwest, which is absolutely fine, just not the kind of person I am. But I’m still in high school and I gather that you aren’t so that could be the reason for the difference in our opinions!</p>

<p>I left Michigan after HS and I’ve been in California for close to 6 years now.
From my memory most of the people there - even from good cities - lacked any passion or motivation in life. People in general were also meaner / less friendly than CA and had kind of a thug/hardcore/baller attitude. Although this is on average, I’ve plenty of people in CA who are like that as well but usually it’s more confined to the lower socioeconomic classes. </p>

<p>I’m biased toward USC but you spoke more fondly about it and it seems like you really wanted to attend. On the contray, when you spoke about Michigan, you sound rather dry.</p>

<p>I’ll say go to which ever makes you more happy because it’s 4 years!!!</p>

<p>I’d visit both schools and see if you prefer the atmosphere of one better. I do think it is a big advantage that you have already been accepted to the business school at USC. Unless you got a preferred admit to Ross, it is very competitive to get in after freshman year (I know people who went to MI, wanted to study business, and then didn’t get into Ross). That would make me lean towards USC. </p>

<p>Bomerr, I have lived in Michigan and in California, and I found the opposite to be true. I thought people in Michigan were much friendlier and more approachable. As for people having motivation and passion in life, I doubt the OP will have trouble finding such individuals in Ann Arbor…and especially on the Michigan campus.</p>

<p>Thanks guys. More opinions are welcome!</p>

<p>“From my memory most of the people there - even from good cities - lacked any passion or motivation in life. People in general were also meaner / less friendly than CA and had kind of a thug/hardcore/baller attitude.”</p>

<p>What ridiculous statements! I have no idea where you grew up in Michigan bomerr, but I grew up in Oakland Co. north of Detroit. The hundreds of people that I know are nothing like you describe as “most” Michigan residents. </p>

<p>I lived in Oakland County too; I’m in Orange County now, it’s a completely different world.
I look at Facebook and the VAST MAJORITY of people I knew in Michigan didn’t know what to do in life. They went to mediocre colleges and are now back in their hometown at the local bar. </p>

<p>^^^Perhaps you were only hanging out with people who were most like yourself? My friends, even at your young age, would never hang out at the local bar. Oakland County is one of the most affluent areas in the entire country. Of course it has areas of “lower socioeconomic classes” where residents might be inclined to go to local bars constantly. That was not my upbringing or the people i grew up with. </p>

<p>^ You sound like a one of my friends who is still in Michigan. He keeps telling me Oakland County is “one of the most affluent areas in the entire country” and I call complete BS on that. I know more than one person with a private jet here in California. Being around people that are successful changes one’s perception of the world. From my experience there is huge difference in culture between the two areas. </p>

<p>by lower socioeconomic classes I meant all the chaldeans living with that thug life attitude. </p>

<p>I am glad you moved to California bomerr. You seem to fit in just fine. </p>

<p>“Being around people that are successful changes one’s perception of the world.”</p>

<p>Maturity will do the same thing. Wait a few years…</p>

<p>No way haha I used to live in Oakland County too. I would’ve gone to Adams High School if you know it. I’m quite positive I don’t want to end up on the east coast and I think I would like the west coast. I’m going to visit in April but it’s hard to predict if I’m going to like LA as a place to live or not</p>

<p>“He keeps telling me Oakland County is “one of the most affluent areas in the entire country” and I call complete BS on that.”</p>

<p>Oakland County is the 4th wealthiest county in the United States, among counties with over 1 million people.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Oakland_County,_Michigan.html”>http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Oakland_County,_Michigan.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Don’t be ashamed of where you came from bomerr. </p>