USC vs. BU vs. DePaul vs. UMich

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>So, I have narrowed down my college choices to these four. I wanted a city-oriented school with a strong communications program, as it is my objective to work as a PR practitioner after I graduate.
I was fortunate enough to receive the presidential scholarship and placement in DePaul's honors program, and I liked the campus a lot when I visited. It's in a great are of Chicago. But, it was a safety school, and I would feel as if I were settling, as vain as that sounds.</p>

<p>UMich is the outlier, it is a much more traditional college setting. However, I did a summer program there and fell in love, there's just something special about the wolverine community that I can't ignore. I know that a UMich education does endear potential employers. </p>

<p>BU is another school with a strong Comm. program and a great location. Also, since I live on Long Island, it would be quite easy from a travel standpoint. Boston is a great college town and I know I would enjoy myself tremendously at BU, but the internship opportunities in Boston are not as plentiful as they are in Chicago or L.A. however, I loved the school when I toured and something is pulling me to BU. </p>

<p>Now. USC. I have not visited it yet because of the distance, I did not want to tour campus unless I was accepted. I will be visiting later this month I was fortunate enough to be accepted to the Annenberg school,which I know is one of the best programs in the country. On paper, USC seems like the perfect school for me. I love the academic opportunities and location, the campus seems so vibrant and dynamic and full of life. I know that ultimately, a USC education will open the most doors for me. However, there is distance to be considered, and cost. Since I am a triplet and all three of us will be attending private college, the rising price of USC may a tad unattainable. FAFSA says my family does not qualify for really any sort of aid, but we are going to call USC and negotiate a "special circumstance." However, even the cost of travel alone is quite steep. </p>

<p>Do any of you have any words of encouragement or experience in any of these schools and/or communication problems? I'm not asking for a decision to be made for me, i'm just looking for points of reference. Anything you guys can give would be wonderful:)</p>

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<p>You summarize things pretty well. Internships and industry contacts are the keys to breaking into any industry though they seem especially important in things like PR. </p>

<p>That said, where do you want to live and work after graduation? Proximity greatly improves access. If you’re going to school in Chicago then you’re going to have a lot more rapid access to opportunities in Chicago. The same holds true for the other schools. Michigan, while an exceptional school, is going to add the burden of tracking down opportunities in other cities.</p>

<p>USC has a very well developed internship network; the other schools probably do as well. USC gives you the entertainment industry as well as a massive city to tap into. If that’s what you want then SC has the edge. The only offset I can see is if one of these schools is noticeably cheaper than the rest.</p>

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<p>I went to USC and Michigan law, so I have experience in both Los Angeles and Ann Arbor. if cost is not a factor, then you should go to USC because it is the highest ranked of all those colleges and is up and coming. if the only significant costs you incur are travel, then you should still go to USC. if you cannot afford to go home on holidays, the USC Trojan family will be there to take care of you.</p>

<p>Michigan is a great school, but is not at all diverse. it is basically white with some blacks and very few Asians or Hispanics or students of color. Ann Arbor is a great college town but can be very boring, unless you have a car to travel to relatively nearby places like Chicago or Detroit.</p>

<p>as between Michigan and Boston U, I would go with Michigan because it has a stronger Alumni Association and is obviously a higher ranked school academically.</p>

<p>out of state students at Michigan are charged the same as private schools. and travel can be just as expensive if not more because you’re in the Midwest, as 1 of the posters commented.</p>

<p>Boston University is a great school, however, academically it is not on the same level as USC or Michigan. and while Boston is a great college town, there are many many distractions to drink and party as opposed to studying during the week. the culture of college in Boston is basically to party and have as much fun as possible. I’m actually from Boston and know this.</p>

<p>DePaul is okay, but again not on the same level or caliber as USC or Michigan. I would say go to Boston University over DePaul, however.</p>

<p>and the weather. Chicago is wicked cold compared to both Boston and, obviously, Southern California. if given the opportunity, why spend 4 years in the Windy City? the same holds true with Ann Arbor.</p>

<p>finally, from your comment, it appears you’ll be happier spending 4 years in the sunshine rather than the wicked cold Midwest or northeast.</p>

<p>it is also important from a maturity perspective to branch out and leave home and live independently. going to away to school is good for one’s character.</p>

<p>good luck and fight on!</p>

<p>Sent from my SGH-T989 using CC</p>