<p>Can I get some last minute advice? I still haven’t chosen and I’m ridiculously torn between the two :(</p>
<p>The Engineering Liaison at Wes says about 2-3 kids matriculate on to Columbia each year, out of about ~30 who initially have an interest. He said meeting the requirements is hardly ever an issue for those serious about the program and most choose to just continue and complete their undergrad ed at Wes in another field, rather than being unable to meet the criteria to transfer.</p>
<p>Wes is more exciting for learning. But costs an extra year.
USC is more enticing for its ease (regular 4 yr program). But I may be unhappy there, socially.</p>
<p>Why are you so certain that you will be unhappy at USC? What about your visits there gave you that feeling?</p>
<p>If you are serious about engineering, choose a place where that is only four years (is USC all you have for that? No home-state publics on the table too?).</p>
<p>If the truth is that you are iffy about engineering and you are feeling the 4 years of Econ at Wesleyan calling you, then there is nothing wrong with that either.</p>
<p>I’m not so certain, but it’s a nagging fear. I have not been able to visit either as I live overseas. But I’m a more reclusive, intellectual, mature type of person and USC strikes me as a place of extraordinary activity and partying which doesn’t necessarily have to affect me but that vibe would permeate through campus. Just a feeling. And it’s also just an opinion that Wes will be less ‘crazy’ - I could be wrong about both. But I’m judging largely on the athletic strength and greek life of the schools. How wrong am I?</p>
<p>I also had UVA but I turned it down. The cost was actually about $10k more than Wes/USC.</p>
<p>I am absolutely certain about engineering. I’m Asian I intend to do law/public policy thereafter but I believe in an engineering base. This is what makes Wes especially interesting since I can explore the arts like I really want to while simultaneously doing engineering. I guess I could do some of that at USC too, but I think it would be more restricting.</p>
<p>“The Engineering Liaison at Wes says about 2-3 kids matriculate on to Columbia each year, out of about ~30 who initially have an interest”</p>
<p>Yes, that sounds right. They just change their minds or get more wrapped up in what they are studying and stick with that. Theoretically, one could major in history and then go to engineering school, but that’s sort of a split personality. 3-2 types tend to be math, chemistry and physics majors. They benefit from 3-2 because they have more time to focus on science and further they get a real liberal arts education. In a 4 year engineering curriculum, you have to rush by liberal arts in the form of non-technical electives.</p>
<p>If you look at the Dartmouth link w/ video they make it sound like you can get funding for the fifth year. However it may just be advertising.</p>
<p>Are you an international, or a US student abroad? That will affect your aid and your employment prospects.</p>
<p>Read the graduation requirements at USC and for the 3-2 program. Take a look at other courses offered that you could use for your electives. Chances are that you would have plenty of good options at USC.</p>
<p>Run the numbers for your travel expenses from home a couple times each year. Getting to one or the other may be cheaper.</p>
<p>There are party-crazed students on every college campus. There also are serious students everywhere. If look around the library and your labs, you will start meeting the people who are as focused as you.</p>
<p>I intend to be a math/economics major at Wes. And the more I’m thinking about it, it probably makes a lot more sense to spend another year, but be happy rather than taking a safer path which may be awesome, but with the constant reminder that I may have missed out on something better.</p>
<p>Thanks so much, again, for all your feedback.</p>
<p>I’ve done all that analysis and in the end, I may absolutely be wrong, but I think USC is too active/crazed/party-centric for me to blend in comfortably. I understand that among 18,000 undergrads, I could find several fantastic friends to hang out with, but it may be intimidating and uncomfortable? I’ll have to spend a final discussion session with my family to confirm.</p>
<p>I also knew one person who started out 3-2 at an LAC and completed the Columbia SEAS prerequisites in two years as a physics major. He then transferred to Columbia SEAS after two years and then graduated just from Columbia with a BS in EE after a total of four years.</p>
<p>Good luck with the final decision, and best wishes for your future! When you do decide, go for it, and don’t look back. Your optionsaree terrific!</p>
<p>I cannot express how grateful I am to all of you and the CC board. I can’t imagine feeling confident about making such difficult decisions without this resource.</p>
<p>I have accepted my offer to Wesleyan after all. I hope it really works out like I want :)</p>
I intend to do law/public policy thereafter but I believe in an engineering base. This is what makes Wes especially interesting since I can explore the arts like I really want to while simultaneously doing engineering. I guess I could do some of that at USC too, but I think it would be more restricting.</p>