USC or Tufts

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I'm transferring to a U.S. college next fall and have no idea where I should go. I've narrowed my choices to Tufts and USC.</p>

<p>As far as reputation and rankings go, these schools are pretty much tied (and I notice a lot of it is quite subjective, depends on the area you are in, etc.) and since I'm an international student, both schools are recognized where I am from. I'm an Econ major. The price is the same, student-to-faculty ratio is the same, and both have a program (I can major in Econ and also get a teaching degree at Tufts, and USC the 5-year econ BA/MA program) that I want to do.</p>

<p>If I go to USC, I miss the dorm experience (unless I get housing in Honors House, and I don't know how likely that is). I've wanted this dorm thing for my entire life. Other than that, the school seems like an awesome place to be --- active, with athletics, and many different things to do. I have been quite depressed my entire life and I think a sunny place like LA would perk me up a little, and bring out the cheerful person I really am. I'm also into arts and media and I'm sure it's a great place for that. However I have heard the CLAS Econ program isn't bad, but isn't really notable either.</p>

<p>If I go to Tufts, I will probably get a dorm, and with other transfers. I also heard the people there are "quirky", which kind of sounds like me. However I have heard the work is difficult --- I have no idea by what standards work is "difficult" but I get stressed out by academics easily. I don't know how much of a arts-and-media school it is, which is what I am really into. However the Econ program sounds pretty good and I am into academic challenges. Plus, I have heard that the Boston area is filled with students, which is an awesome place to be if I'm going to do arts and media. Another thing that bothers me is the small scale of athletics --- it will make me feel like I'm back at my old college.</p>

<p>Does anybody know how the workload compares with these two colleges? The quality of the undergraduate classes? Quality of the Econ program? How vivacious students are in terms of music and art? Athletics and laid-backness?</p>

<p>Any info, even a line, would help. I have one more day to decide, and worst comes to worst, I'm going to use by gut feeling --- both choices sound good.</p>

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<p>USC Marshall school of biz is very good</p>

3

<p>“I’m also into arts and media and I’m sure it’s a great place for that.”</p>

<p>Yes…but as a transfer non-major, will you have the opportunity to take advantage of that? Will you have enough electives and will you get into those classes?</p>

4

<p>To the OP:</p>

<p>I guess BC no longer makes the cut for you?</p>

<p>By the way… I happen to know that plenty of Tufts kids were celebrating the night of Bin Laden’s death. And I’m sure that there were others who were probably disgusted by the spectacle. So what does that tell you?</p>

5

<p>And students at USC also celebrated Bin Laden’s death. </p>

<p>[Students</a> celebrate on USC’s Row after news spreads of bin Laden’s death | ATVN.org](<a href=“http://www.atvn.org/index.php/news/story/celebrations_erupt_at_usc_over_bin_ladens_death]Students”>http://www.atvn.org/index.php/news/story/celebrations_erupt_at_usc_over_bin_ladens_death)</p>

6

<p>Seriously guys? Bin Laden’s death? Seriously. While the world is a safer place without Osama Bin Laden, as Martin Luther King said,</p>

<p>“I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”</p>

<p>But this issue is trivial.</p>

<p>USC and Tufts are very different. Boston schools don’t normally have great sports. Yet Boston professional sports is stellar: Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, Boston Red Socks, New England Patriots, etc. etc.</p>

<p>Perhaps you can tell us what you want to do with economics?</p>

7

<p>^ Brownie points for using one of my favorite quotes ever.</p>

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<p>Originally I took BC over Tufts because of the athletics, focus on community service and beautiful campus. Now I’m taking Tufts over BC because I hear it’s more gay-friendly and the population of international students are higher. I also recall when I visited the two places the BC campus was my favorite but I “fit in” more with the Tufts people. </p>

<p>With Econ I want to study international and development econ, which is also why I took tufts—it’s strong international relations program that I might want to take a few courses from. </p>

<p>As for arts and media I wasn’t planning on taking any courses, i was curious about the extracurricular activities. </p>

<p>Well thanks for your input guys.</p>

9

<p>'SC has 2x the number of internationals than Tufts. Check with IPEDS. Also, Tufts has little do with with athletics.</p>

<p>[The</a> Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - Home Page](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/]The”>IPEDS)</p>

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<p>HAFH - Unfortunately, there will be students at both USC and Tufts who have opinions that will differ from yours on occasion. They won’t respond well when you call them simple-minded. Just like BC, and anywhere else you might choose to go.</p>

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<p>Wow bluebayou that website has a wealth of info. Thanks : )</p>

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<p>USC wins in sports hands down. The only worthy sports school in Boston is Boston College. For the most part, Boston is more academic focused (E.G. Harvard, MIT, Tufts, etc. etc. are more academic focused than sports focused). But Tufts is really good at sailing and Lacrosse (they won nationals last year and got second this year). Yet sports is by no means close to USC. However, when it comes to professional sports teams, Boston wins hands down: Celtics, Bruins, Red Socks, Patriots, etc. So a lot of students support professional sports teams and go to those games since their respective schools aren’t as sports based.</p>

<p>For international students, USC has about 10% and Tufts has about 6%. But that’s for undergraduates. For graduates, and specifically, the Fletcher school, there is a crazy amount. What’s nice is that undergraduates can take classes at the Fletcher school (and it’s on the same campus as the undergraduate campus). A lot of international kids mingle amongst undergraduate and graduate. I am sure the same is for USC.</p>

<p>As for economic development, I would argue that Tufts is probably better only because it has links to the Fletcher school which brings in a lot of resources, speakers, and opportunities for economic development. You can actually major in international relations with a focus on economic development.</p>

<p>Again, these are two very different schools (in size, sports, locations, etc. etc.). So try to dig a little deeper into what specific things you prefer (aside from what you said).</p>