<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 acting)
-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>I can't really comment, since i think they're both excellent schools, however:</p>
<p>
[quote]
The honor code allows most teachers to give take-home tests
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure every school (or at least most) has an honor code, including usc. most students seem to prefer tests to papers, for example, but if you ask around about your professors before scheduling, i bet you could get your schedule in such a way that you have as few tests as possible. just an idea.</p>
<p>if money is not an option at all, and your parents do not care either way...then stanford...if money is an option however, usc...either way ur going to a GREAT School</p>
<p>Stanford is a great school, but if you feel like you'll fit better in LA then you will do well academically regardless of the curve. If you're smart enough to go to Stanford, then I don't think you have too much to worry about. I don't know if your statements "not as academically strong" for USC and "coursework not too stressful" for Stanford are that different. Not as academically strong of a class would hopefully make for classes that aren't too stressful, I would think. But I don't know how relaxed Stanford people are...I personally think a lot of people work hard at USC but only a few are obsessive-compulsive overachievers.</p>
<p>Do well at USC and you will certainly be competitive for grad school. Have you already considered studying at USC the majors you intend to study at Stanford if you went there? Granted Marshall is more well-known than the econ dept, but the possibility is certainly there. There's also the Renaissance</a> Scholars Program at USC which has a prize competition for graduating seniors. 10 are chosen for a $10,000 prize for post-baccalaureate study.</p>
<p>I'm economics and religion and am a Renaissance Scholar Candidate. Econ and psych might qualify as well. Think about it.</p>
<p>man, usually I pull for USC in these kinds of threads, but Stanford is such an awesome school... :)</p>
<p>Honestly you can't go wrong either way, I think. Except for the expensive part, I think most of the cons on your lists are not really too big of a deal.</p>
<p>As above, if money (and football) aren't too big a concern, I think you'll do great at Stanford. However, a full ride at USC is also a pretty sweet deal.</p>
<p>Stanford rocks the house, man! I personally prefer it waay more than 'SC because of its history, prestige, and cultural diversity. Because it's such an old school, it has gained much validity in the minds of many Americans across the country. 'SC is like a niche in California that's known to the rest of the states as a football school.</p>
<p>USC still needs a couple of years to even be in the same league as Stanford.</p>
<p>After all, Natalie Portman picked Stanford, not USC.</p>
<p>Wow thank you all so much for the quick replies! I forgot a couple things on my list:</p>
<p>USC: Has a women's club lacrosse team that I think I would join
-More school spirit I think (mainly b/c of the football)</p>
<p>Stanford: more intimacy with the professors</p>
<p>Stressedout: What do you think USC lacks in cultural diversity?</p>
<p>Protocurious: Thanks for the info about the Renaissance Scholars program :) When I said USC was less academically strong I meant generally as compared to Stanford (the professors, etc.). </p>
<p>As for the celebrities, I know Michelle Wei (spelling?) is going to Stanford and Zak Efron is going to USC. Not that this effects my decision at all, just random trivia :) </p>
<p>Was just wondering what you mean by cultural diversity? USC is one of the most racially/ethnically (and economically) diverse schools in the country, and is located in a city with a major Hispanic and Asian population. </p>
<p>Last year's entering freshman class:</p>
<p>Ethnicity
African American 6%
Latino / Hispanic 13%
Native American / Pacific Islander 2%
Asian 21%
Caucasian 47%
International (student visa holders) 9%
Not indicated 2%</p>
<p>49% of the class came from schools outside of California.</p>
<p>USC's class sizes are often quite small, other than in big GE courses. For instance, my daughter's Spanish class was 15 students and her Lit class is 20-25. Even in her big G.E. classes she has found opportunities to get to know her professors, through field trips, office hours, Learning Community meals, chats after class, etc. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Have you considered that Stanford offers 4 years of dorm/housing? Whereas i think USC only covers 2?</p>
<p>Being a dual resident of both LA and the Bay Area, I would say that neither one has an advantage over the other. They both have distinct qualities that make them great and also not so great. That being said, I definitely would not cite Stanford's distance from LA as a con - I mean it's only an hour long flight, or a 6 hour drive (which, in retrospect, is pretty long).</p>
<p>Seriously though, it's Stanford. Unless your parents are facing a financial cataclysm if you go there, I think Stanford would be one of those unregrettable choices. Conversely, if you go to USC, you will always carry that subconscious "what if?" With Stanford, that would never happen (unless you turn your parents into bums). </p>
<p>I mean, you ARE talking about a top 30 school versus a top 3. The disparity in academic prestige between Stanford and USC is almost as large as the disparity between their football programs.</p>
<p>Take-homes aren't that rare at USC either. I have one take-home final this semester (tis a literature GE course) and another take-home quiz in solid state devices, and in both semesters advanced physics we had take-home quizzes.</p>
<p>It's a tradeoff really, I wouldn't say I prefer one over the other (in class vs. take home exams).</p>
<p>The neighborhood around stanford is quite different that USC's - since there is a lot of off-campus housing (both university owned and 3rd party) around USC there isn't as much need for 4 years guaranteed housing. But that is a valid point.</p>
<p>Stanford is indeed superior to USC in a lot of ways, I'll admit, but I don't think more "cultural diversity" is one of them.</p>
<p>From what I've heard, the business curve is about 2.75, so that the average grades in the business courses are a C+. This especially sucks when the course is a relatively easy course and the information is not too hard, yet some people still HAVE to end up with C's, D's, and F's. They keep the curve to maintain their status as a top business school. </p>
<p>Also, I really wanted to be able to have a car at USC for driving to weekly (or so) acting auditions in LA. But, I probably won't have one at least for the first semester. Is the public transportation easy to get accustomed to or would a car be a LOT easier? thanks!</p>