<p>My daughter has narrowed to Southern Cal (with a half-ride scholarship) and Virginia (in-state). She's undecided as to major. The cost difference is about $12k/year, all in. USC is very far from home. Both are ranked #24 in UN&WR, FWIW. I'm interested in advice on what factors she might consider in making her decision between the two. Thanks.</p>
<p>Our D is OOS at UVA (~20 hours) and I must warn you travel expenses and other items associated with going far away can be very expensive. We thought we were very generous on our budget but still fell way short. For instance, we hadn’t thought about annual sorority events parents go to, storage/moving/larger rental car fees for moving, etc., etc. Going far away does have advantages in that you are exposed to different regional cultures, forced to be more independent, etc.; however, there are a lot of drawbacks too (i.e. not coming home for small holidays like Easter or fall break, having to get their car there, etc.). In the end, I personally would not be able to justify more than $12K a year for the experience of going across the country for two lateral schools. Shoot, for that she can study abroad her entire junior year and still have money to spare.</p>
<p>Agree to consider travel costs.<br>
What is your D’s academic interests? Recruiting will be largely regional…easier to get job in west from USC, easier in east from UVA.</p>
<p>OP </p>
<p>I’m not sure what question you’re asking. USC and UVa are both excellent schools. While one could argue that UVa may (or may not) provide better opportunities, one could make the same argument for USC. I would probably argue that UVa has a better reputation (though I’m east coast, which may account for this). However, overall, it would be difficult for anyone to argue that differences in reputation are significant.</p>
<p>Is it worth 12,000 plus transportation. I guess the first question is how easily can you afford this. Only you can answer that question. Next – is one school a better fit for your D. What does she want to study, does one school offer a better program (though she may change majors). Has she visited both campuses – does she have a strong preference. This is very important.</p>
<p>FWIW – our when our daughter decided between two schools with a relatively even rep (in our case, cost wasn’t significantly different) – it all came down to intangibles. I can’t underestimate the importance of this, especially to a student – Assuming two schools are relatively close to each other, fit is a very valid reason for making a decision, even if it means choosing a marginally less prestigious school.</p>
<p>Thanks all. D is undecided on major which makes the larger size and scope of USC a touch more attractive, all else equal. Solid points about travel costs; the $12k cost difference included my estimate of those costs but I appreciate that I may have low balled that. As best I can tell UVa wins on prestige, but USC wins on the data in that acceptance rates are lower, class sizes are lower, SAT scores are a bit higher, etc. It will be D’s choice in the end but I want her to weigh all the facts…</p>
<p>How easily can your family come up with that difference in cost? Are there any things your daughter might prefer to have (graduate without any debt, have a car, semester/year abroad, unpaid internships/volunteer opportunities, etc.) that would be possible with the less expensive option? $12,000/year for four years does add up.</p>
<p>happymomof1: thanks for your well posed questions. Her Mom and I are going to eat the first $10k of that price differential; she’ll be stuck only with the $2k/year over that. So I don’t think that will crimp her future options. It will cut into my income & lifestyle some, and so your questions about what that might take off the table are valid. It is because a young person cannot really comprehend the cost of a post-secondary education–whether she is the ones who foots the bill or I do–that I ask about questions that she can wrap her head around that might tip the balance one way or the other. I don’t want her to narrow her future over concerns about costs, but I also don’t want her to make decisions as if it were all free, either.</p>
<p>I think you go with UVA unless there is a definite choice of major where USC is better than UVA like in electrical engineering or performing arts.</p>
<p>rgh3rd: do you base that conclusion on your perception of the worth of the two schools (outside the specific areas you mention) or on the cost difference? Or something else?</p>
<p>No, I just meant that if there’s a program or subject area at USC that is considered to be better than at UVA then there is justification for the additional cost and effort to go to USC.</p>
<p>I suppose there are other definite reasons: EC’s, class size, special programs; but has your daughter sited them? Did she visit USC and say that it’s great place?</p>
<p>What makes USC better for her?</p>
<p>Rhg3rd: thanks for that. We went there last week. They put on a good show, of course. Public schools are really outgunned at the whole marketing blitz thing. And objectively, they’re good. Anyway, while my instincts run in the same direction as yours, she’s decided to go with USC. She’s really happy, and I think it will be a good fit for her.</p>
<p>Thanks very much for your advice. (The same goes for everyone else.)</p>
<p>Congrats – sounds like she made a great choice for the right reasons!!</p>