<p>When I received my big USC package, I was ecstatic. However, I opened it and found that I was admitted for Spring 2013. Though I am a bit disappointed, I am still very grateful that I got accepted.</p>
<p>I am now faced with an incredibly hard decision. I got into my two top schools, USC Roski and Art Center College of Design (for transportation design). Both schools are reputable and both have good connections. However, I really cannot decide between the two. One parent says USC is too expensive, and the other parent says USC's Roski School of Fine Arts isn't ranked high enough (Art Center's transportation design program is number one in the nation). I have not told my parents, however, that I was thinking about switching my major to something business-related and minoring in Digital Media-based Imaging/Communication Design. At Art Center, I would only be studying transportation design, and all my classes would be directly related to my major.</p>
<p>USC allows me to possibly study business and maybe go into marketing (which has been an interest that I've picked up during my junior/senior years) while still utilizing my graphic design skills. Art Center requires me to stick with transportation design (which has been something I've been working towards since I was little).</p>
<p>I am just asking for some unbiased opinion on the situation that I am in. As a Roski spring admit, would I still be able to change majors into Marshall in January? How likely would it be for me to be bumped to Fall 2012? If I am allowed to switch into Marshall, I will most likely attend USC. However, I still love transportation design. Starting salaries also matter as well. I know that Art Center's average starting salary out of college is around 40k-80k, but USC's is spread all over the place.</p>
<p>Any opinions/tips/help would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>openmoney, it sounds like you are trying to compare apples and oranges. First thing you need to decide is if you want an apple or an orange. IF you want to pursue transportation design, Art Center is the #1 program in the country and cannot be beat. If you are thinking you don’t want that, you need to be very sure indeed to pass up that opportunity. That said, for any 18 year old who is still in the process of finding new interests and thinking about career choices, USC is absolutely the best place to be (of your choices). Going to a very specialized art school will not give you the same range of choices. Also, the feeling of those two schools (aside from the fact they both share amazing weather) is completely different. Did you visit both? Which seems the best fit?</p>
<p>Best of luck on your decision. It might be good to fill your parents in on your new concerns.</p>
<p>madbean, thank you for your input!</p>
<p>Transportation design has always been a passion of mine, but lately, I’ve been feeling as if I have been falling out of that love for car design. As I worked on my entrance portfolio for Art Center, I felt that it was cumbersome-esque. I didn’t exactly enjoy doing it. However, I sometimes feel like I would perform better at Art Center, since I am a visual person.</p>
<p>However, my interest in business has grown exponentially throughout these years, and I am trying to figure out ways to combine my skills in art/design with business. That’s why I have become incredibly interested in marketing. At USC, I can explore both business and art/design. I have a bias towards USC at the moment solely because USC provides so much more opportunity. I could even end up working in the auto industryjust not in the design department.</p>
<p>The only problem is whether or not I can switch schools from Roski to Marshall. Should I email the admissions team at Marshall and ask them about the switch? Or should I go through the general USC admissions first? (Or email both?). I have recovered a bit from the surprise of being a Spring 2013 admit, but I would prefer that this potential major/school-switch not hinder my chances of being bumped to Fall 2012.</p>