<p>My top two choices right now are USC (which I got a full tuition scholarship) and Stanford (with zero money). Neither one has "it all." From visiting the campuses, talking with people, the pros/cons list I've compiled looks something like this:</p>
<p>USC:
Pros:
-In LA (its always been a DREAM of mine to continue with an acting career)
-Good business school (I would major in business and maybe minor in theater or do a joint degree program in business and cinematic arts)
-the scholarship
-Thematic Option program seems pretty interesting
-Accepts a lot more AP credit</p>
<p>Cons:
-The business curve
-Not as academically strong
-I've heard some of the professors aren't that great and that the school sometimes seems to care more about getting your money for every little thing rather than your education
-Maybe too much partying for me? (i dunno) </p>
<p>Stanford: (I would double major in economics and psychology)
Pros:
-I will probably be able to get to a graduate business school easier
-Gooorgeous campus
-Pretty relaxed students; coursework not too stressful
-People are pretty humble because everywhere they look they are awed by the achievements of other students
-The honor code allows most teachers to give take-home tests</p>
<p>Cons:
-VERY far from Los Angeles
-Much more expensive
-Hardly takes any AP credit
-Has more of a "core curriculum" (could be good or bad I guess)</p>
<p>Please, if anyone has a comment about any of the things on my list or would like to and ANYTHING, that would be SOOOOOO HELPFUL!!! Thank you so much :)</p>
<p>Go to Stanford. Its Economics and Psychology departments are both the top departments in the world, plus if you're into acting or the arts, Stanford's got excellent, excellent facilities as well. In fact, Stanford recently received $50 million dollars to build a brand-spanking new auditorium concert hall.</p>
<p>And besides, you're not gonna be doing any acting work in LA during the school year; just fly down to LA and work there over the summer if you feel so obliged. People do it all the time at Stanford.</p>
<p>Also, given that you enjoy the very down-to-earth, not so cutthroat nature of Stanford students, I'd say you'd fit in quite well at Stanford.</p>
<p>It is a tough call, but the tone of your question leads me to think that you really like USC better and want someone to say, "that's okay!". Stanford is Stanford and the name holds some value, but USC graduates will be your family and network connections forever. If you think you'd like to settle in Los Angeles then USC is the choice. Stanfordites tend to settle around the Bay Area.</p>
<p>You haven't said if you would have loans through Stanford. If it is between coming out of school without loans (or minimal ones) and coming out with over 25K at Stanfod then go to USC. You will be forever grateful when you graduate and can start life without anything hanging over your head. Don't downgrade USC, either. It is a very difficult school to get into, also. The neighborhood is lousy compared to Stanford's, of course. </p>
<p>If you can come out of Stanford with under 25K in debt then give it some hard thought. I always liken the cost of a new car in loans as the make or break point for an undergraduate degree. You may want to go on and to come out of undergraduatewith thousands of dollars in debt is not smart.</p>
<p>USC would be a first choice to many people. The fact that you're interested in business should point you towards USC, too. There is nothing like those Trojan connections anywhere.</p>
<p>My initial response would be STANFORD just b/c of the name but I agree with citrusbelt, it's all about what works for you and USC is still an amazing school. In four years, no matter which one you graduate from, you will still know you're going somewhere and if within those four years you feel like you will be a lot more happy (emotionally and DEFINITELY financially) at USC then you should go with that gut instinct. As previously mentioned, in the business world especially, its all about the connections and those connections can be made just as easily at USC.</p>
<p>This may be slightly contradictory... but on a side note I was on USC campus two weeks ago and overheard a student and his professor discussing the quality of the students on campus. The student seemed to be complaining about how most of the students at USC are only there to "take a paid for vacation away from their parents" and how he felt that they were wasting their time and education at the university. The professor was reminding him that there are still a lot of hardworkers at the school and its all about your own experience, not others, but I thought it was worth mentioning. That relaxed attitude you noticed at Stanford might very well be much more relaxed at USC. I personally don't find Stanford students to be that way at all, but it's all about personal opinion.</p>
<p>Wow thank you guys for the comments! Citrusbelt, you are very intuitive, I didn't even realize what I was subconsciously doing. Also, I would probably want to play club lacrosse at USC and Stanford doesn't offer a women's club lacrosse team. </p>
<p>With acting, in recent years I've been doing more of film/commercial/tv side of it, and I doubt that Stanford and San Francisco would offer that. But, I guess it comes down to having a smidgen of a chance at a dream at USC, or taking the practical route with Stanford. I know the psychology departement at Stanford is phenomenal, but I haven't heard much about the economics. </p>
<p>There's also the whole debate between what is better an undergrad degree in business or economics/another major for getting into MBA programs.</p>
<p>If you really want to give acting a serious try then there is no question that you should go to USC. Wattupbuh is right. Stanford has a good theater department, but nothing like USC's. People do not go to Stanford for theater or arts usually, they go there for the academics. USC has one of the top movie, music, theater and arts programs in the country. You don't want to end up with a 'what if' situation later. Every year USC turns down thousands of terrific students. The students there are not slackers and USC is a great school. On the other hand, you might wonder about 'what if' if you don't go to Stanford. Only you can answer that.</p>
<p>And don't think you can't get into a great graduate school out of USC. It's done all the time. You just have to do well in your classes there. You can also major in econ. and psych. at USC if you want and then get an MBA, but their business school is tops, too. </p>
<p>What does your family think? They should be your #1 cheerleaders because they know you best. Taking all your interests to heart and the financial incentive at USC, I think you know the answer to your question, but no one would question you if you chose Stanford, either.</p>
<p>I don't know if being in LA is really a pro... USC is probably in the ghettoest part of LA possible. There are bars all around the campus and people get mugged if they wander to far outside the campus late at night</p>
<p>The free is hard to turn down though... if you have a change of heart I think Stnaford is more well rounded. I have no idea how good either Schools film program is. I think if your family can afford it I would go Stanford... it's just better academcially and you have more options available to you. But if you are really set on one thing I can't really say</p>
<p>According to CNN USC is at the heart of LA, but is one of the safest campus in the U.S.</p>
<p>You should choose USC. Although I personally do not really trust the ranking system, USC has one of the top business program for undergraduate students.</p>
<p>Stanford on the other hand, is not that impressive in terms of undergraduate studies in business (it's not even at the top 40 in the U.S. according to the "peer evaluation section").</p>
<p>Stanford however, has excellent, excellent MBA. I recommend you to take USC's free tuition offer and apply for Stanford's MBA after undergraduate.</p>
<p>As a prospective actor, you need to find a campus that has good location. USC has good film and theater programs only UCLA can rival. In fact, George Lucas was graduated from USC! I think USC is a great match for you considering your interests and possible careers. USC is close to Hollywood!</p>
<p>Another thing you mentioned is that USC takes more AP credits than Stanford. If that is the case, by heading to USC, you can finish your undergraduate education faster and gain some work experiences in LA.</p>
<p>If your family can afford Stanford, I would probably go to Stanford. Like people from some threads above mentioned, Stanford is more well-rounded. Although Stanford's business and theaters (I am talking about undergraduate) are not as strong as USC, who knows. Two third of undergraduates change majors sometimes in their university years. You might not like business at all.</p>
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You should choose USC. Although I personally do not really trust the ranking system, USC has one of the top business program for undergraduate students.
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<p>That's because Stanford doesn't have an "undergraduate business" degree (because an undergraduate business degree is sort of worthless). Their equivalent degree is Management Science & Engineering. A business degree is worth something once you've gained some experience and gone back to grad school.</p>
<p>Hrteeexz: It does not matter whether Stanford has a business degree or not. As long as they are equivalent. I am just comparing Stanford's "business program" with that of USC.</p>
<p>Platinum,
Here's my 2 cents- my son who is at USC under the same full tuition scholarship program, is trying to transfer OUT, because he has encountered to much of what this students alluded to-"The student seemed to be complaining about how most of the students at USC are only there to "take a paid for vacation away from their parents" and how he felt that they were wasting their time and education at the university." If you want the opportunity to be surrounded by thousands of really smart students, and desire intellectual stimulation both in the classroom and out, go to Stanford. There are many, many students at USC "just doing their time on daddy's dime". There are only 4 TO classes, and while they are stimulating, overall, if you are a high achiever, you are going to have to look long and hard trying to find your intellectual peers at USC.</p>
<p>menloparkmom: It depends on what department your friends are in. Popular departments are usually better because universities have wider choices. USC's two main popular departments are finance/business and theater arts (USC's business and theater arts for undergraduates are darn famous). Those kids are pretty bright and they usually don't go there just to leave their parents. I however, are not so sure about other departments. </p>
<p>I think, overall, Stanford is better than USC. Stanford is good at computer science, medicals, international relationships, engineering, sciences, literature... you name it, but opportunities for acting and directing in Palo Alto are not as many as those in LA, of course.</p>
<p>platinumlax: Are your parents going to finance your tuition and rooms and board and food if you decided to go to Stanford?</p>
<p>I turned down the full scholarship at USC for Stanford and have no regrets. Also, Stanford isn't that far from LA and you can easily visit in a weekend.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned getting an undergrad at USC and applying to Stanford's MBA program... I've heard rumors that on some applications it asks if you've already applied to the school (I wouldn't know as I'm still a high school junior)... wouldn't re-applying to a school you initially rejected hurt your chances?</p>
<p>My parents have told me to "try and not consider the money" because they'll finance the education at either college. How many thematic options classes does each student take per year if they are in the program?</p>