<p>Hey guys, I was recently accepted into Davidson, USC, and Wake Forest. I've narrowed it down to either USC or Davidson, and I've been trying to get the most advice I possibly can. Any suggestions? I know USC would be a blast, but Davidson seems to offer a better academic experience. Thanks for any help.</p>
<p>which do you want-the blast or the academic experience?</p>
<p>Either one will lighten your parents wallet.</p>
<p>Both of my children picked Stanford instead, but if I were going to college today, I would choose Davidson. Small classes with great profs appeal to me more than giant lecture sections with famous profs. Also, Davidson has the best application I've seen. They even require a rec from a friend, and they clearly want students of character as well as intelligence.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone...I really appreciate the advice. I'm going out soon to see Davidson, and I hope after my trip I can finally decide!</p>
<p>Hi! I would pick Davidson. Recently, however, I chose W and M over Davidson. But I would choose Davidson over USC. Congrats on Davidson.... I only passed it up because it was so small (I come from a very active town and did not want to leave such a a mindset behind :) )</p>
<p>Davidson is an absolutely amazing school but it is really small. Since your other choices are quite large, do you think that you will fit better at a small school? Enjoy yourself more? Life at a big school and a small LAC is completely different, and that should be a major consideration in your decision.</p>
<p>Good point...I've certainly been debating that recently. I can't imagine a more different pair of schools...1,600 kids, in the South, liberal arts college vs. 16,000 kids, Los Angeles, big university. And I'm not going to even mention the differences between the kids at both schools...</p>
<p>Davidson...amazing academics and small classes.</p>
<p>Jamesdav--I don't see how it can be a choice between those two since they are so different. What do you want? And don't underplay the academic quality of USC.</p>
<p>I'm certainly hoping the academics at USC are excellent...I was accepted into the thematic option program, so I would think that I would have top notch professors. I think I'd have a blast at USC...I guess I can't go wrong!</p>
<p>I'm biased, but I think Davidson is one of <em>the</em> best schools in the country and definitely one that's undervalued. It's good that you're going to visit. Davidson was dead last on my list last year (way too close to home), but it definitely shot to the top after I visited for the admitted students weekend. Wonderful campus, amazing academics, and a fun, engaging, highly intelligent study body.</p>
<p>Yes, you will have a blast at USC. You will find your niche among the racially and economically diverse undergrad student body of 16,000. You will be able to take advantage of world class research opportunities and professors at an AAU member institution as well as the the cultural, social, and business opportunities available in LA. USC also features unparallel school spirit, Division IA football, and the Trojan family. You will not be bored, isolated, or stuck with classmates you cannot escape.</p>