USC or Northwestern

College Search & Selection
1

I was accepted to both institutions. I would eventually like to get an MBA, so at USC I would major in business (Marshall) and at Northwestern I would major in economics, try to get into the Kellogg Certificate program, and maybe do MMSS. My interests revolve around finance, and I have an interest in film, so I would minor in film at either school. I don’t know where I would like to work for sure when I grow up, but I think I’d like to relocate to Southern California(I live here now). I’m having a really hard time deciding where to attend:

USC- PROS- Southern California weather, I’m a presidential scholar so I get half tuition covered, they have the best cinematic arts schools, Trojan family network especially in Southern California, I feel that I would enjoy myself in general more as a student at USC.
CONS- I’m not sure that business undergraduate is good idea since I eventually want to get an MBA, and would rather get a better general education in the humanities/social sciences, it’s a very large school, honestly I’d like to experience a new location and USC is like 40 minutes from home.

NORTHWESTERN- PROS- I love Chicago, better school in general, more prestigious (maybe not in Southern California though), great economics program.
CONS- The terrible winter weather, it is more expensive but I could pay for it without having to take out loans or anything.

I also got into Vanderbilt, Berkeley, and Cornell if anyone has anything to say about those in regards to my interests, but USC and Northwestern are my tops… I think.

2

Congrats on getting in to those great schools…honestly you’ll be set at either one. Flip a coin! That’s what I’m thinking of doing! Anyone else have some input on this?

3

Many years ago my daughter narrowed her choices down to USC and NU and I think in the end it came down to lifestyle; she hates the LA area, the whole driving vs walking/public transit, etc. I’m saying this to note that they are very similar in so many ways and you can’t go wrong with either choice. I do believe NU is, overall, a better school with a better reputation, but that’s minuscule in the end. Perhaps a different living experience for four years would also be a bit of a plus.

I agree with the “flip a coin” concept from InTheTopTwelve. Good luck!

4

Of the 5 schools you got in to I would put USC at the bottom. But it seems to be improved from what it was