USC vs Harvey Mudd + Claremont McKenna

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>hey, so im in a bit of a pickle, and i want to know what other people think:</p>

<p>gonna be a senior in high school next year, and just planning out my order of preference for schools. I want to major in engineering (computer) and business. I always knew that harvey mudd was amazing at engineering, but i feel as if the name is not very well known. the same applies for CMC in the business sense - that it is very good yet not well known.</p>

<p>At USC, you get a very good school, for both business and engineering. plus, USC has a combined major to fit both (titled Computer Science/Business Administration) which can be completed in 4 years. Harvey Mudd and CMC offer a similar degree (the 3+2 program) which can be completed in 5 years.</p>

<p>So (putting cost of tuition/living aside, that doesn't play a factor for my college education/experience), which would other people consider to be a better choice? from what i hear, HMC and CMC are AMAAAAAAAAAZING at engineering and business, but is that true (or is it at least better than USC)? and how is the quality of life at such a small LAC? Also, whenever i think that HMC and CMC are not as well known as USC, i think, "the people who matter know that HMC and CMC are better than USC". is that true? don't you NEED a well reputable school for business (especially a school like USC considering i live in SO CAL and plan on living/doing business here my whole life)? which school would u guys choose and why? (take quality of the education received, as well as social life/quality of life at each school. For example, i like a school who KNOWS what their students want/how to take care of them and pamper them).</p>

2

<p>Let's be honest this is probably not the most neutral forum to answer this question, but I would say USC all the way. You get a great education either way, but at USC you have an invaluable alumni network and an amazing college experience. You will also have a tremendous amount of internship and eventually job interview opportunities which you may not get at another school.</p>

3

<p>yeah i knew the answers would be somewhat biased, which is why i posted it in several different forums. but please, elaborate - what is so great/unique about USC's college experience? what makes it better?</p>

4

<p>I had to choose between USC and HMC. I was a biochem major though, not engineering. What turned me away from HMC was, indeed, their lack of name recognition among most people. Of course, I talked with several students from the HMC forum, and they told me that a large number of students go on to grad school at top institutions (Cal, Stanford, MIT, etc.) with full tuition, and many students have job opportunities with large corporations (I believe they have some sort of partnership with Boeing or Lockheed). When I told them I was pre-health, they actually told me to come to SC, because my GPA at HMC wouldn't be high enough.</p>

<p>That being said, engineering at HMC is indeed amazing. I believe they consistently rank in the top 3 in terms of colleges that don't give out doctoral degrees (can't find the actual data, so you might wanna ask them for it). They're often called the daughter college of Caltech, but in many respects they are more or less on the same level. Engineering at USC is also amazing. I believe we are evenly ranked with Caltech at 7th.</p>

<p>The social life at both schools is amazing. While HMC students most likely study harder and for longer hours, they also know how to have fun. The day that I went to visit the campus, I think everyone had a massive margarita party or something, because lemons were all over the campus. Plus, they have little traditions as study breaks (screaming down the halls at a specific time or stuff like that). I don't even have to talk about our social scene because it's that fun. (If you're not into the drinking, we have concerts, movie screenings, tons of clubs, etc. Plus, it's LA; there's always something to do).</p>

<p>The question comes down to: Are you positively certain that you'll stick with engineering (or business, for that matter). Like it or not, HMC is a technical school; if you decide to change majors to something other than math, science, or engineering, you really have nowhere to go. (of course, you can always go to one of the other Claremont colleges and major in something else). For me, it came down to name recognition and flexibility. USC is more well-known, and I can change majors with ease (in fact, I'm also a political science major). Talk to HMC and CMC students and see how they feel.</p>

5

<p>Ooh boy. Well I'm probably going to get yelled at for being discouraging, but I think you need to hear some realistic advice from a senior. </p>

<p>Dude, trust me, you don't wanna be an engineer. Most engineers above their sophomore year hate their major. Be prepared for all night study sessions and homework "parties." Marshall on the other hand..Marshall students have it easy. They've raised the target grade in each core class (the dreaded Marshall curve..which in fact is now boosting our grades) to a B from a B- and in elective classes to a B+. Considering I've never been in a core class the average hasn't been below a B-, study, and you'll be fine.</p>

<p>I think it's sweet that you are so ambitious and sure they always tell you college is the time you get to figure out what you want to do..but why kill yourself doing it? If you want to go into business eventually, you don't necessarily need to double major in it. There are freaking philosophy and history majors doing banking at big firms..Or on the flip side, if you want to do business and are just interested in engineering, take a couple of classes, but don't do the double major. And don't stress about it.</p>

<p>Oh one more thing that they should tell you before you choose your college. I know this is far down the road for you, but consider your job options. School name plays a big role in recruiting. And Marshall is ranked undergrad #9. I could be wrong, but I don't believe CMC is in our tier.</p>

6

<p>I am an electrical engineering student at USC, going to be a senior after summer. It really depends on what you want. </p>

<p>HMC and CMC are extremely good schools. HMC is pretty much the LAC version of CalTech.
Here are pros and cons of the 2 choices. </p>

<p>HMC and CMC:
+much smaller class, you really learn for professors.
+better quality of teaching from professors
+professors will know you
+you will be very well-prepared for grad school
+both colleges are highly respected, don't ever buy into the notion of "most ppl don't know HMC and CMC." </p>

<p>-classes are theory-based
-weaker alumni connection
-you don't get to specialize in your major
-GPA is harder to get higher
USC
+much stronger alumni connection
+you get to specialize in you major.
+project-based classes
+CS department has a video game programming track.
+easier to get higher GPA
-professors are more into research and there will be times you will be on your own
-bigger classes
-some professors and TA's can't teach</p>

<p>Lastly, there is something called MBA. You don't really need a business degree to start a business. And you will already be very busy just being a CS major. </p>

<p>-sctrojan
I don't understand where is the notion of "Most engineers above their sophomore year hate their major." coming from. Yes, engineerng is hard. (excluding industrial and system engr) Engineering students don't have too much of a life after freshman yr. The reason there are still many ppl doing it is becuase we are passionate about it, we enjoy what we are doing, we want to learn skill that willl actually mean something after graduation. If I want to do business, I can always get a MBA or get a minor in technology. commercialization. I also don't understand that why ppl would major business undergrad, business is so easy. And one doesn't need a business degree to succeed in business field. Also, everybody can do get a business degree, but not engineering. Most failed engineering students ended up transfer to Marshall but not the other way around.</p>