<p>Ok so i've been a reader of this thread but have avoided posting until this point. My decision has come down to two schools: USC or UNC-Chapel Hill. Just looking for some more opinions/feedback.</p>
<p>Background: I'm from the Philadelphia area and plan on majoring in business. I'm not opposed to going far away, so the distance to Los Angeles is not a problem. I'm looking for a school that has a good balance of strong academics and a vibrant social culture. I plan on majoring in buiness.</p>
<p>USC- I recieved the Trustee Scholarship. Loved it when I visited. Invited into the Global Leadership Program at Marshall. Love the Marshall curriculum and all that the business school offers. Really didn't see any downside when I visited, other than the distance. Although I am not opposed to going far away, it would be nice to not be 2700 miles away. Also, I would like the option of being able to live/work on the East Coast after I graduate, and that might be a little more difficult with a USC degree. Talked to a girl from my high school that went to USC, and just recently transfered. She said that one reason she left was because there was a large "mean girl" culture at USC and that the social scene was dominated by the sorroritys. She also talked about how although the school is in Los Angeles, it isn't really a true city school since LA is very hard to get around without a car. Her impression of LA was that its very much what you see on The Hills. I didn't get this impression when I visited, and this is just one person's opinion. Talked to another current student and she said this culture does exist, but that it is not dominant and you can definitley avoid it.</p>
<p>UNC- I have wanted to go here basically since my sophomore year. I love the feel of small town Chapel Hill, the southern charm, and how friendly everyone is there. They love their school, their basketball (GO HEELS!!!), and really proud of just about everything Carolina related. There is one major thing I don't like about Carolina though: the curriculum. I hate how the first two years are really a liberal arts based curriculum. I don't like how the business school is only a two year program, versus at USC, where I would be able to jump right into business classes. I did not get any scholarship here, and my parents don't qualify for financial aid, so we would be paying OOS tuition out of pocket. Although I love UNC and USC, UNC comes in a little bit higher on the love scale. However, I really can't in any way shape or form rationalize asking my parents to pay $30,000 at UNC versus under $10,000 at USC.</p>
<p>Since I live in the Atlanta suburbs UNC is not terribly far from me. It is a fallacy to think a Marshall business degree is not respected in the eastern states. At one time I belonged to the USC Alumni Club of New York. Members held positions in good law firms, Fortune 500 companies and respected brokerage houses. There are about 400 members in the Atlanta Alumni Club. CNN is well represented as well as IBM and other firms.</p>
<p>As far as U. S. News rankings SC is ranked above UNC overall. There are some things you should know. Class size is much smaller at SC. Faculty student ratio at SC is 1/9, at UNC it is 1/14. Faculty resources are ranked much higher, 25 points higher at USC. Alumni give at a higher rate than at UNC. SC is also more selective in admissions. Financial resources are higher at SC as well as SAT scores. </p>
<p>Marshall is a top ten undergraduate business school. Accounting is ranked 5th, International Business 5th, Entrepreneurship 4th and Real Estate 7th. </p>
<p>It was posted in another thread the Carolina university system is facing cuts. </p>
<p>If this was a choice between UNC and Never Heard of it State then the choice would be obvious. However, in your case you enjoyed your visit to SC. The business school is top notch. SC is a higher rated university. The costs are far lower. SC does have national championships…quite a few of them. It may not have been a fit for your friend, but a great fit for you! If you notice on this board there are students who post they are having fun experiences in Los Angeles. You have to find your niche.<br>
Since you are from Pennsylvania it will involve a plane trip to either college. Consider seriously the costs of attending UNC and how much you will incur in debt.
SC wants you. They have honored you by awarding you the Trustee Scholarship, the top freshman scholarship.<br>
Good luck in your college journey.</p>
I consider Carolina to be the stronger school (including business), so my immediate reaction was to urge you to go with your gut and choose UNC.</p>
<p>After considering the financial aspect, however, I would say that USC is a very appealing choice for you. It would be considerably cheaper, and if you liked USC a lot, I see no reason not to choose it.</p>
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Like USC isn’t? I think the German department would beg to differ. :eek:</p>
<p>USC is not facing cuts- it is a private university-not a state university dependant upon tax revenues. All of the UC’s- UCLA, Cal are facing cuts due to the budget crisis that we are experiencing in California. The Marshall school is very respected- and if you want jump into your major you need to consider that also. But college is a choice- not a prize that you won. You need to choose the school the meets YOUR needs 1st! What is important to you- where do you feel most at home? Good luck- I am sure you will excell wherever you choose to attend!</p>