<p>So here's the deal. When i was a youngin, I wanted to go to UNC. I watched Michael Jordan play all the time for the Bulls and I wanted to go to UNC to be like him. When I was in high school, I became a huge fan of SoCal. I then decided that I wanted to go to USC. Fast forward a couple years....I didn't get into either school during my senior year. I went to another top tier university and applied for transfer to both schools. </p>
<p>In mid-April, I found out from UNC that I was admitted for transfer. They set a May 11th deadline for submitting my enrollment deposit. I wanted to hear from USC, but they never notified me by May 11th, so I just decided i'd enroll at UNC because I wanted to make sure that I was going somewhere. I didn't realize this, but when you transfer, there is a TON of paperwork that needs to be done. I ended up taking care of all of it and now I'm all set to go as a UNC student. BUT, 3 days ago, USC sent me my admission letter. I have less than two weeks to decide whether to take this opportunity to go to USC or stick with UNC. I've always wanted to go to USC more than UNC, but I'm already well established as a UNC student and I'm even registered to take summer classes there in two weeks. It would be a pain to go through all that paperwork again. Many people have told me that if i've always wanted to go to USC, it'll be worth it. But I feel like transferring this late again is such a hassle and an inconvenience. </p>
<p>I guess my question here isn't necessarily "what should i do?" but rather "what kind of advice can you give me here in making this decision?" or "what would you do and why?" or "what can you tell me about either school?"</p>
<p>I'd appreciate any help you can give me. </p>
<p>Here are some extra facts to consider:
1.) I'm a huge college basketball fan (+1 for UNC) and I also just like schools with good sports
2.) I'm transferring from a school in a city and I loved being in one (+1 for USC)
3.) I'm from Connecticut (i can drive down to UNC to move in)
4.) I like beaches and I like to snowboard (this might favor USC a bit more)
5.) I like to go to concerts during my free time (being in a city might help this one out)
6.) I have family in Southern California
7.) I hate snobby, rich, and pretentious students (I know they are everywhere)
8.) I'm coming from a private school that pampers its students very well. I kind of like it.
9.) UNC is a heck of a lot cheaper than USC
10.) I'm definitely a type B person and I like to just chill.</p>
<p>Chapel Hill is near Raleigh which is a big city, Chapel Hill is 1-2 hours away from the beach and the mountains, and UNC students are very laid back so it changes all the pluses for USC into pluses for UNC too!</p>
<p>I personally would go to USC. The amazing nightlife, city, adjacent towns (Westwood, Hollywood, Santa Monica, just to name a few), Disneyland, weather, greek life (if that’s your thing), and football (although you said you’re a basketball man, I think USC is pretty good at that too.)</p>
<p>Honestly, you will have fun at either school. Just figure out how badly you want USC.</p>
<p>I’d go for UNC. I’m biased since I have a lot of friends there…but it’s definitely the stronger school and, in my opinion, has a better quality of life.</p>
<p>
The Triangle area has PLENTY of concerts to attend. Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro is legendary for live music. Performers like Third Eye Blind, Ben Folds, Jason Mraz, and Kanye West have performed on campus at Duke and UNC in the past couple years. Naturally, there are many student concerts to attend as well.</p>
<p>I think UNC has a stronger reputation on the East Coast but on the West Coast USC has by far the stronger reputation and many people here have not heard of UNC. The two schools are very comparable academically, USC is 27th on US News and UNC is 30th, essentially a tie. </p>
<p>So USC has a slight edge but nothing major. </p>
<p>One important question: have you visited USC and/or UNC? That could definitely sway your decision.</p>
<p>I personally think that paperwork shouldn’t be a big factor in your decision, when you look back after 30 years it would essentially be a blip on the radar.</p>
<p>I would go to the school to which you would most regret not attending. My choice would be USC, but that’s just me.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I agree that it depends on what side of the U.S. you’re on (in terms of the better reputation). But based on a lot of the forums discussing reputation, UNC always seems to have the slight edge. I’ve accepted that both schools are pretty much a wash though. I also agree with others that there’s no wrong choice here. </p>
<p>Based on my observations, I feel that USC is a school that’s climbing up and is popular with the younger crowd, whereas UNC is more popular with the older crowd. </p>
<p>I’ve visited both schools: USC during my senior year of high school and UNC just this past April. UNC has a more prestigious feel to it (in the sense that the buildings are older), but the USC campus made a pretty good impression to me as well. </p>
<p>The thing for me, is that I want to live in Southern California when I grow up. Obviously, USC will be better in leading me there. But at the same time, UNC is also a school I want to experience. I’m from a small town in Connecticut that’s in the middle of nowhere. I’m 2.5 hours away from Boston and 1.5 hours away from NYC. My high school consisted of about 1500 people. I’ve never experienced life in a large city for an extended amount of time, but I’ve also never experienced that closed knit community where everyone is obsessed with the state school. I feel like UNC is more of a once in a lifetime experience, but SoCal would always be there. Does anyone know what UNC’s alumnus status is like over on the west coast?</p>
<p>“I hate snobby, rich, and pretentious students” </p>
<p>I think that if you want a more ethnically and economically diverse student population [see below for the class of 2012 freshman profile- only 45% are caucasian and only 55% are from Calif] you should come to USC, which has the largest Financial Aid program of any college in the US, [and it’s not just because it has a large student population]. [ by the way, I would inform USC of your FA award from UNC. They might match it!] Yes there are rich kids there, but there are also a tremendous # of smart, committed students who love being at a dynamic, supportive, great university! Now, IF you plan on living on the east coast after college, then you probably should strongly consider going to UNC, which is more well known and respected on the east coast than here in Calif. </p>
<p>The east coast in general tends to be more parochial and traditional in how people are evaluated- who is your family? where were you born? Where did you go to school? In other words, things you , for the most part, have no control over. On the west coast, what you DO with your life is considered much more important than your ancestry. </p>
<p>I will also in closing mention that UNC, and N Carolina in general, is also a LOT more politically conservative than LA and Calif, if that might be a factor. Congratulations on acceptances at 2 great universities!</p>
<p>“Does anyone know what UNC’s alumnus status is like over on the west coast?”
It’s minuscule in comparison to USC’s network! If you intend to live in SCal, then there is nothing like being a Trojan!</p>
<p>I already received my USC financial aid award. I’ll say this, UNC gave me a larger grant, but the total financial aid package is smaller. USC has less of a grant, but the FA award is greater (more loans). </p>
<p>Which is going to cost you less $$ of pocket by the time you graduate? If it is UNC, and you want to go to USC, then call and email USC’s FA office and tell them [ be prepared to fax the UNC FA award letter to them] about the larger grant that UNC offered you , and although you REALLY want to go to USC, the total $ amount of loans you will need to repay after graduation is a really BIG factor in your decision about where to go. Give them a total Grant $ amount that you need to be able to commit to going to USC. it’s worth a shot.</p>
<p>While the economy is pretty bad right, money really isn’t a big issue for me making my decision. It’s more about which place will give me a better college experience and which will shape me to get the better job.</p>
<p>Do you guys think I should continue with taking summer school classes with UNC even if I decide to go to USC?</p>
<p>Someone mentioned before that USC is great if I’m into greek life.</p>
<p>I’m actually in a fraternity (I pledged at this past semester), but I’m not crazy for it. In other words, my life does not revolve around my fraternity. I don’t even know how involved in greek life i’ll be.</p>
<p>I’ve gotten in contact with the fraternities at both universities. UNC’s chapter is about 50 people, whereas USC’s chapter is about 120. UNC’s chapter seems pretty quiet whereas the USC chapter is very noticeable. USC’s chapter dues are also expensive. But on the plus side, USC’s chapter has more side which equals more connections after school. Plus they have a number of famous alumni from their chapter. </p>
<p>Can anyone else point out differences in the greek systems of both schools?</p>