USC v Bates College

<p>I know these two schools are like POLAR opposites, but I've been accepted to both and I have to narrow down my choices. </p>

<p>Location: Definitely USC > Bates. I prefer warmer weather. I hate HOT and COLD weather. I just like it warm, but if I had to choose, I would probably go for HOT>COLD. And so California > Maine. Not sure about this though. </p>

<p>Academics/Reputation: I DON'T KNOW. Which has a better reputation? I want to go to law school, and so I basically need to maintain a great avg, but I would also like it if the schools I apply to know about the school I'm in. I know USC is quite known, but I don't know how good it's academics is. I also don't know how good Bates' academics is either. </p>

<p>Size: I don't think I mind much whether it's a really small school, like Bates. But I'm scared that USC might be really big. I hear it's not a problem once you find your niche, but the fact that it has 17k undergrad students scares me a bit. </p>

<p>Party/Social Scene: I feel like USC would have a better party/social scene with the greek life and just the enormous student body. How lax is the administration with alcohol and parties at both schools? </p>

<p>I'm not too sure what else there is. But FINANCIAL AID: Bates gave me full ride. I have 1.7k in work study, but the rest is in "Bates Scholarship" which I'm guessing is all in grants. I don't know USC's financial aid yet, but I'm scared it might be bad or not as good... </p>

<p>OPINIONS? THANKS!</p>

<p>Bates full ride. If USC doesn’t come withing 5K I would go to Bates.</p>

<p>I would go to Bates, but I believe that LACs offer a better undergrad education. </p>

<p>Good luck to you in making the decision for yourself.</p>