USC Trustee (full tuition) vs. Dartmouth (no financial aid)?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

Hi, I would like your opinions on the above two schools. Right now, I want to do pre-med and go to medical school. I am thinking biochemistry major but my other interests include International Relations and minoring in Chinese/some other language. After my research, it seems USC and Dartmouth are okay with biological sciences but Dartmouth may edge out USC in international relations. Thoughts? Both seem to be okay schools too if I decide not to do pre-med and go to medical schools.

Also, I have formally toured USC (USC explore) and toured Dartmouth, but during their spring break (so only info session and campus tour).

I like USC because:

  1. full tuition / Trojan Scholar Society / benefits of being a scholar student
  2. variety of clubs and organizations (like 800+ clubs)
  3. I applied to Thematic Option and Freshman Science Honors-- will hopefully get in
  4. alumni network
  5. Always something big on campus (Springfest, Festival of Books, etc.)

I worry about USC because:

  1. quality of academics? good, dedicated professors?
  2. Will I find students who will discuss academics (i.e. an article we read or latest reading of Socrates) with me?
  3. greek life

I like Dartmouth because:

  1. D-Plan
  2. Focus on Undergraduate experience
  3. Ivy / prestige
  4. Super friendly students
  5. academic
  6. alumni network

I worry about Dartmouth because:

  1. Drinking is only way to entertain oneself? (to a large extent…I know there are clubs to join, DOC, etc. but Hanover…)
  2. Apparently only ~160 student organizations?!
  3. No financial aid.

A note on financial aid… My parents want me to choose the best fit for me, regardless of cost, but I can’t get over the lure of full free tuition for 4 years, especially if I go to medical school. Is it really worth it to spend $150k more on a Dartmouth (Ivy) experience over USC? I cannot make up my mind.

Also, if you want to say comment about Duke too, please do. Leaning away from Duke because of the apparent social hierarchy and student elitism…and the deification of student basketball players (like, that’s too much).

I just need to make a decision! >.< Thank you in advance!

2

I am also a Trustee Scholar in Engineering and just committed to USC. I chose between similar schools and decided that my four year endpoint from the variety of schools would be the same except for USC would be far less expensive. My parents felt as yours and I decided to save the tuition money to spend on a MBA down the road. I love engaging discussions, running, etc… but not gaming/partying/greek life. The other Trustees I met seemed to feel the same way.

I researched many of the professors and most of them got stellar reviews.

My parents went to med school and it took forever to pay off their loans.

Good luck!

3

Pick USC and rejoice in the Trustee scholarship!
DS had the same choice 9 years ago, [he also got into Brown, Chicago, Wash U, and other top U’s] and decided to go to USC. He is now at Caltech- one of the very top U’s in the world- completing his PhD. His hope was always to go to CalTech for his PhD, as it was and is the highest ranked U in his area of interest.

Not having to worry about us having to shell out big bucks for his UG education freed him to take full advantage of all that USC offers. As a Trustee scholar, the sky is the limit for you! research opportunities at USC med center. Honors science classes . You will be treated like gold. Don’t be foolish and spend so much $$ unnecessarily on yoir UG education. Med school will be even MORE expensive than it is now by the time you apply!!!

DS also did not like the limited social life of Dartmouth, as he was not interested in joining a frat or getting drunk every weekend, since there was nothing else to do in Hanover. Greek life at USC is miniscule compared to Dartmouth! There is so much else to do in LA!
He was a U of Chicago type of student, but their FA was non existent 9 years ago . USC was in the end the right choice for him and I think it will be the right choice for you. Your parents will thank you for years to come!