<p>I am making my college decision now as a senior in high school. I have done pretty well at a Jesuit College Prep school getting mostly A's and some B's. I am from the Bay Area so I will be moving down to Southern California either way. I do not know what to major in yet and any input could help on my major as well but I know I want to be an investment banker. Any ideas on what to major in? Also, I am trying to choose which school to attend. I have narrowed my choices down to Loyola Marymount University and University of Southern California. Both are great schools and I just cannot choose between the two. I like both for different reasons. If this also helps I am getting about 42k a year in financial aid from LMU while only about 25k a year at USC. The cost of attendance for my at LMU is about 13k a year while at USC it costs about 30k thats including the financial aid. Please any input on which school to choose and which is better for what I want to be would be greatly appreciated. Academics, reputation, social life, people, networks, etc...</p>
<p>i also plan to move back to bay area after i graduate</p>
<p>Hmmm… are you in the Marshall School at USC?</p>
<p>IB is honestly for the top one tenth of one percent. IB is for the rare person who is mature beyond their years, intellectually super quick but not necessarily academic, has more energy than the Energizer Bunny, is willing to work 70+ hour weeks for several years doing nothing very academic or intellectual, possesses a dogged determination, and is almost impervious to rejection and setbacks. I don’t mean to discourage you, but be sure you have a backup plan – more than 90% of those entering college with aspirations for IB just don’t make it in IB or decide on their own that the Indentured Servitude-like conditions for Associates doesn’t suit their personality.</p>
<p>Now, back to your choice… USC will position you slightly better for IB, but only if you’re in the top 20-30 out of Marshall’s 800+ alums for each year. </p>
<p>Honestly, if I were you I’d look at this choice without IB as a factor. </p>
<p>LMU is a nice school, USC is a prestigious school. Where do you see yourself fitting in? Would the additional loans to attend USC put a burden on your (or your parents)? By the way, how much of the aid for USC and LMU is scholarship/grant, and how much is loan?</p>
<p>At LMU grant is about 9.5k, 20 in scholarship, 3k in work study and the rest is loans. USC grant is 17k, 2.5k in work study, and the rest loans. </p>
<p>As for the back-up, I plan on maybe taking electrical engineering for two reasons: 1) because of how broad the major is I can use it as both a backup plan and it is a good degree to get into IB (as some of the IB I have talked to recommend an engineering major) 2) because business degrees now a days are a dime a dozen engineering would be a good degree to take.</p>
<p>At USC, I am enrolled in the college of arts, sciences.
At LMU, I am enrolled as an math major.</p>
<p>From what I have read, the engineering majors at both schools are not impacted but I am not 100% sure. </p>
<p>I think I fit into both schools either way. I like them both. I am just unsure about the money (granted aid could change every year and I am afraid of USC or LMU lowering aid the next year) and 2 job success in the future with the name of the school being a big factor or not?</p>
<p>68K over 4 yrs is a lot of money. I would opt for LMU.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice…</p>
<p>I am just afraid I will change my mind about my major and be limited in my options at LMU. Do you think this should make a big difference?</p>
<p>I think LMU has enough to offer and to be honest so many students change their majors once they get in college you could end up with something completely different. Also, while USC has improved its ranking over the past 5-10 years a great deal, it is still not particularly strong in many areas, none of their departments really stand out - outside of Marshall Business and Film.</p>
<p>$68k is a lot of debt. that’s a tough decision.</p>