USC or U of Chicago

<p>I got accepted to both USC and the U of Chicago, and I have two weeks left before I tell both schools (and the others that I'm not considering) what my plans are. I'm stuck between these two because I know that I'd probably have more fun at USC (or at least fun would be more readily available), while I'd get a better education at U of Chicago. I feel like I'd have to be motivated to have fun at U of Chicago and motived to do work at USC. I'd love some advice on both schools. i.e. is Chicago really that bad (is the work load completely unbearable, is the social atmosphere dead, can I do well there academically while maintaining a social life), and is USC only party-football-drinking-Greek life focused? They seem (to me) to be on opposite ends of the spectrum, and I'd love what advice I can get.</p>

<p>USC is no more "only party-football-drinking-Greek life focused" than Chicago is the place where fun goes to die. Both schools, well at least USC, which I am familiar with, have students who study hard and play hard. </p>

<p>Which school is better for what you want to do, and by better I don't mean one program is rated number 5 and the other 15 or even 25. Is there a significant difference? Also consider that the two cities are quite different as is the weather. Cost is pretty much equal unless one is giving you more money than the other. What about opportunities for internships and jobs?</p>

<p>Two very good, but quite different choices. You have an interesting decision to make.</p>

<p>I want to go into medicine. My mom suggested that I find the rates of acceptance to med schools from both USC and U of Chicago. I couldn't find the stats from Chicago, but USC was 55%--I'm not sure how to take that number, though, because there are probably a lot more people applying from USC than from most private universities in the nation, as USC is a very large university. I'm not taking cost into consideration (and I don't say that to sound snobby, like cost doesn't matter, but right now I'm focused on what my life will be like at these schools). My mom's pushing U of Chicago, my teachers are pushing USC. I'm a California girl myself so I don't know about going somewhere where it's winter from November to April, and USC does have a very nice campus. I figure I can cope with the weather if it's the worst part about the school. As for internships, I think that they're probably somewhat equal. Both have a multitude of hospitals where I could volunteer/intern, and both have good pre-professional advising. When I visited Chicago, I met with the pre-med adviser and we talked very informally about how the advising system would work, and it seemed to me that undergrads don't get lost in the crowd and that there is inidivual attention to each undergrad. I don't want to become just "a number" at USC (they gave applicants adhesive barcodes to stick on every page of the application...that worried me). I'm really torn and I don't know how I'm going to decide in the end.</p>

<p>I think you are accurate in your assessment. My advice is to go to Chicago then transfer to a more balanced top school like Duke or Northwestern. People don't understand but I cannot tell you how many dissatisfied Chicago alums I know. Just last night I was at a dinner party and a Chicago alum I had never met before was complaining about how horrible his experience was.</p>

<p>suggest you overnight at each.</p>

<p>'SC is a very social school, with an active greek scene and sports presence, and if that is your personality, it might be a good fit. OTOH, if you could care less about proms, then Chicago could be your thing.</p>

<p>Ignore slipper's comments...he seems to hold an incredible prejudice against Chicago, and has only tried to discourage people from going.</p>

<p>If a good social scene is really important to you, then by all means go to USC. But if you're willing to trade it for great academics (and let's face it--UChicago has 4,500 undergraduates and Chicago has 2.8 million people...if you can't find five other social people to have fun with at Chicago, well...), then by all means go to Chicago, as I don't think there's a soul on the planet who thinks USC is a better school academically (or opportunity-wise) than Chicago.</p>

<p>Oh, and slipper, when you say that she should go to Chicago and then transfer...has it occurred to you that maybe she'd LIKE it at Chicago?</p>

<p>SFnative: Chicago also happens to have a top med-school. The awesome thing about Uchicago is that you can apply to their med-school after your sophomore year, be admitted, and not have to worry about that, so you can take classes your final two years that are enjoyable and not totally bug about med school applications. (At least I believe I read on their website that this is the case, don't quote me on it, look into it though) Chicago definitely carries a bit more respect than USC, especially with regards to sciences (although USC is not exactly lacking, just not par with chicago) and grad schools will take that in to consideration. Some students worry that a lack of grade inflation at Chicago will make med or grad school admissions tougher b/c you'll likely have a lower gpa there than at USC... it won't.
Your definitely right that youll receive more attention at UofC. Chicago is infinitely a better city. You can play in the snow, you can't play in the smog, so don't worry about weather, chicago still has the upper hand. Also, lake michigan beaches are just as nice or nicer than SoCal beaches. </p>

<p>But if your number one concern is Med School, You will have many opportunities at either, but I think chicago has the upper hand. </p>

<p>btw, you live in san francisco? Private message me what high school you go to. I live in SF too.</p>

<p>i go to USC, but trying to take a step back, there is no denying UofChicago has the superior prestige in the med. field, but as some are saying maybe that isnt all you want.</p>

<p>Also consider, some say Chicago will offer you more oppurtunity, that isnt ENTIRELY true, seeing as USC has quite a vast alumni network, and that DOES probably contend with UofChicago's, as far as getting oppurtunities.</p>

<p>Both school also have their locational funcs, but if you're from CA and asuming your parents would afford you a car, USC may indeed be a more enjoyable environment as well.</p>

<p>who knows, i looked at UofChicago when iw as looking at colleges and i did not like it very much (and i'm from the Midwest originally).</p>

<p>I also have some friends that were/are in the pre-med program at USC, and they are fun guys (one has a little too much fun actually, i always wonder how he gets so much studying done) but none of us are affiliated with the greek system at all.</p>

<p>I say look at both schools physically, if you can, and decide where you'd be happier. Keeping in mind UofChicagos med program is probably higher ranked (i only say this off hand, i'm not a med guy) but it also may give you nightmares in it's rigor, as i even hear people complaining at USC about how hard they got it, so if UofChicago is higher,i can only imagine.......anyway good luck.</p>

<p>If I'm not going to be in a sorority, what will the USC social scene be like? I can meet people just fine, but does all of the social life at USC lie in the Greek life? And I think I need a better sense of what Chicago's social scene is like... I want to do well enough to get into med school, but I don't want to spend my entire four years studying in my dorm room. How much activity is there on the weekends? And in terms of med school, does it look better to have a better GPA from a less challenging school (a USC, for example), or a lower GPA from a more academically rigorous school (Chicago)? Anyone have any advice on this? How unbearable is the weather in Chicago? Six months of winter is a long time... If what I'm looking for is a good education and an active social scene (neither of which I want to be completely consuming...I'd like a balance), which is better?? Thanks so much for all the help so far.</p>

<p>I'm also now considering UCSD - Eleanor Roosevelt College. I read on another forum that its pre-med is better than USC's. Any opinions? And how's its balance of social and academic life? Its weather is better than Chicago's...</p>

<p>UCSD doesn't really have a social life. Well, perhaps more of an on-campus social life than Chicago but really no city/off-campus opportunities comapred to Chicago. From a social aspect, USC will give you more of both.</p>

<p>from what i hear, USC's pre-med isnt really less challenging......of course most top tier pre-med programs arent easy in the first place.</p>