USC or Michigan

The deadline is quickly approaching and I’m still undecided and choosing between USC and Michigan. I got into Marshall at USC and LSA at Michigan although I am not sure if I want to study business. I am also from LA and would like to experience something new but I really like USC. I am a little apprehensive about Mich (although I really liked it when I visited) because a lot of my friends are going there and it might be difficult to branch out. Is there a big difference in prestige between the two and which school seems like the better fit given my situation? Deadline is in 2 days so I would appreciate any feedback ASAP. Thanks!

Is price a consideration? What is the total out of pocket cost to you and your family for each U? Both are excellent. Will you be able to handle the freezing snow and ice of Ann Arbor from warm LA?

What do YOU like about each U that made you apply to each? What’s making you hesitate about each?

Price is not really being considered. A little apprehensive about the weather in AA but I think I’ll be able to handle it. As for USC I liked the vibe on campus and the campus itself as well as the private school feel. I’m hesitating a little on USC because it’s in LA and I’ve always wanted to have an out of home experience. As for Michigan I love the college town feel and its alumni network but am holding back due to the amount of kids from my high school I know hat are going there which might make it difficult to branch out and the fact that umich was my safety. Thanks for the reply

Umich should not be considered as a safety school for out-of-state students. Overall Michigan is stronger than USC in many academic fields including business and is well-known for being a great school for undecided students since its strong in just about everything. The winters in Ann Arbor can be cold, but there are many out-of-state students from Texas and Florida who are doing fine. It seems like you like USC better. Go where your gut tells you.

“As for Michigan I love the college town feel and its alumni network but am holding back due to the amount of kids from my high school I know hat are going there which might make it difficult to branch out and the fact that umich was my safety.”

So you are saying that you know more students going to Michigan than to your hometown school USC? Michigan has over 40,000 students on campus, I wouldn’t be concerned about branching out. U-M is not a safety for almost anyone anymore btw. I agree with Eeee127, it seems you like USC more. If so, you should go there. It is an excellent school.

You make a valid point. I guess what’s holding me back from USC is the fact that it’s in LA and that I wouldn’t get a college experience because I’d feel like I was in the “thirteenth grade.”

What are the pros and cons for each school? How important are these pros and cons?

Pros for Michigan: Ann Arbor (important), good for undecided majors, spirited, biggest alumni network.
Cons for Michigan: weather (not very important), friends and brother are going there so it might be difficult to branch out always having that safety net there (important)
Pros for USC: beautiful campus, business school, prettier girls (debatable), it will be easier to have my own identity there
Cons for USC: it is in LA and I may not feel like I am having a true college experience because it is so close to home (very important)

My advice comes from a mother who has two kids at the same school - a much smaller school than either of your choices. My youngest was concerned about going to the same place as her sister for the reasons you list. She has totally had her own experience, barely sees her sister, but when she does, she likes it. They are in different majors, have totally different lives, and my oldest thinks my youngest is having an even better freshman year than my oldest did.

You seem as though you would like to branch out from your current life. It seems from your posts that you would like to live somewhere else than your home. With that in mind, I think you would love Michigan, and your style will not be cramped in any way with the people you know there.

The Michigan grad is saying go to USC. As a USC alum, I think going to Michigan would be good. Break out of the LA bubble and experience life elsewhere.

I’d probably opt for USC as it sounds like you are more comfortable there and your acceptance into Marshall will allow you to study business if you so choose. Without a pre-admit to Ross, you cannot assume you will be able to study businessmen at UM.

Wow, I can be no help at all because I agree with both @simb9 and @happy1!

New adventure is fantastic - LA will be there, but getting direct admit to Marshall is sweet, but then you say you aren’t sure about business. I see your dilemma. Both are great schools and similar choices - two of the biggest spirit schools with great academics.

It’s too late for specifics and little details to sway you, there is only time now for the million dollar question…
In four years, and the rest of your life, where do you want to say you graduated from?

Than that is a really interesting question and a good point. If I decided to stay on the west coast I would say USC. If not, then Michigan however I have no idea where I will end up after graduating.

What did you choose?