Hello!! So I’m really struggling with this decision right now. I am a prospective transfer student and was admitted to USC and Vanderbilt. I am actually still waiting to hear back from ND (with July 1st being the last day for decisions), but just in case I wanted to include them in this post.
I was given significantly more aid from Vanderbilt than USC, and though I don’t know anything about ND’s aid program, I really do love USC. I toured Vanderbilt in April and liked it, but it didn’t feel 100% right and I didn’t feel anything for it. I haven’t toured the other two yet, but I’d like to ASAP. I prefer USC and LA to Vandy and Nashville, but I’m not sure if the extra debt is worth it.
I just wanted to see if I could get some opinions on the three schools and how different/similar they are, etc. Thank you!!!
What’s the debt difference and what are you studying? Have you run the NPC for Notre Dame?
It’s about 9k in aid vs. 30k. So pretty steep in grant money. That doesn’t include work study for either of the universities. & I haven’t yet, but I probably should. Usually when I do though it doesn’t accurately reflect what I’m offered 
Vanderbilt is just as strong if not better than USC and for $20k/Year it’s clear unless the environment doesn’t work for you as you can’t only live in a study cube.
@stephiedreams depends on your area of study, if it’s business, film, or media studies I would go with USC. Otherwise Vandy would be better.
Political Science! I was considering Public Relations as well though. @VANDEMORY1342
What do you mean by study cube? As in, Vanderbilt is nothing but studying? I don’t know much about the student experience there! @Chembiodad
@stephiedreams, no I meant you have to look at more than academics. Maybe start with the student reviews on College Niche as they’ll tell you a lot.
@Chembiodad oh! thank you, i’ll definitely look through the reviews right now to compare!!
Is the 9K vs 30K a yearly number and for two years (assuming you’re transferring as a sophomore) so the actual loans you may have to take would be $42K? That’s a lot and given Vanderbilt having a good poly sci program should lean you to Vandy. So two years in a Nashville cube is probably not that bad. 
But you have to answer the question on the vibe you felt while visiting.
@theloniusmonk yeah its a lotttt of money haha thats the only thing stopping me from choosing USC right off the bat! Though I haven’t toured USC yet, I didn’t really love Vanderbilt that much. It was pretty, but I come from the South and have always wanted to leave it. I wasn’t super impressed to be honest, but it was nice enough. I didn’t feel anything special for it, unfortunately, which I was really hoping for.
This is going to be tough if you haven’t visited USC. It’s hard to choose the more expensive school (by a lot) if you haven’t been on campus. Have you visited ND? Have you received your FA award from them yet? My D is a rising junior at ND, also studying Poli Sci and she’s had a great experience with that department.
ETA: will you be a sophomore or junior?
@suzy100 it’s super tough! I have until july 3rd for the deposit for USC too, so that’s added stress with the deadline. I haven’t visited ND yet, because we’ve been waiting to hear whether or not I was accepted. They said they would notify us all by July 1st, and I am currently still waiting on a decision. If accepted, I will fly up this weekend, July 1st, to tour it. ND has been my dream and is hands down my #1 choice, so if accepted, the decision should be fairly straightforward. However, as I still haven’t heard back, i’m beginning to think about plan b.
I would most likely be a sophomore, due to only completing 3 semesters at college (due to a medical leave).