Hey guys! I’m an international student aiming to study undergrad business in the US. Though I was accepted to several of my top choices (USC, ND, Emory), their fin-aid for international students is either non-existent or need-aware. I decided not to apply need-aware hoping that I would receive some sort of merit aid, but that didn’t pan out at all.
Meanwhile, I was accepted to UGA w/ a scholarship that would have me pay the same amount as an in-state student yearly. Out of those “top 3”, I am definitely leaning toward USC, so the decision I’ve got to make is whether it’s worth paying full price vs. settling for UGA w/ the scholarship.
My family’s current financial status would allow us to pay for USC all 4 years (though it’d be a huge effort), but health complications that came up recently pose a possible financial risk moving forward (as well as the fact that the USD might fluctuate in value and cause the total price to ramp up even further).
I understand this is a very personal decision, but wanted to hear different viewpoints on just how much “better” USC is as a school and in the opportunities it provides. Is the risk worth taking? For reference, USC’s price ends up sitting at precisely 3x (yes, three times) UGA’s cost. Any thoughts or advice are much appreciated, thanks so much!
You were quite clear that USC will be doable financially but only with significant financial strain. Sure it’s a good school but that doesn’t necessarily translate into success, and it’s not a PERFECT school.
UGA on the other hand is no slouch. It’s of course a tier below USC on the ranking and prestige scale, but only one tier, and it is on the rise with a reputation that is growing all the time. It’s known for having great school spirit in a real college town. It can set you up for success if you make the effort there. Its networking power will of course be more regional for the Southeast but smart kids from Washington DC and downward have begun to see it as a real option when they can’t get into Michigan or UVA (or USC), and many of them are actually getting rejected.
Money no object- sure, 90% of us would pick USC for the prestige and networking and prob for LA. But if money is a factor, UGA is a very good alternative.
If you plan to go back and work in your country, the repute and prestige of various US colleges can be very different there compared to how we in the US look at those colleges. That is a factor you should consider as an international student.
Given our income bracket, we were advised that applying need-aware would significantly reduce admissions chances with a low likelihood of receiving significant aid. Do I regret it, looking back? Sure, but I also regret not applying to 4-5 top state schools that I feel I would’ve had a fair shot at (and been able to afford). Working with what I’ve got!
For sure! USC’s international network specifically seems to be especially outstanding as far as we’ve been able to research (12% of the student body is international vs. 5% at UGA). A lot of notable international alumni as well, so there’s definitely more “brand recognition” where I’m from, but that’s to be expected.
Your family has some financial constraints now. Really…it’s not worth putting your whole family finances in jeopardy because you need to pay the (high) full cost of USC.
If UGA is affordable, go there.
Also…it’s too late for you, but for others…if you want or need need based aid…apply for it. Getting accepted at a need aware school without sufficient aid to attend is like getting rejected.
I usually vote for the more “prestigious” option, but honestly in this case I would vote Georgia.
USC is a very good university, but definitely not good enough to justify the massive difference here. If we were talking about Penn Wharton or even just arts and sciences at Harvard, this would be an interesting discussion. But just to be blunt, I don’t think USC is good enough to think twice about this. And keep in mind, USC’s “elite” reputation is new-found. If the people hiring you in a few years are age 50+, they may not think of USC as impressive at all.
USC is one of those universities that have a pretty good endowment and have worked hard to improve their reputation and US News ranking, but that is new … and older people in charge of the organizations you will be interacting with may or may not see virtually any difference between USC and Georgia.
Georgia is an up and coming state university, with a recent increase in its selectivity and drop in its acceptance rate, and an improved overall reputation.
The U of Georgia has been very successful in football recently. As stupid as it sounds, a US university’s success in division I football (and to a lesser extent basketball) has a definite and quantifiable effect on its popularity and application volume. So even if you do not care at all about sports, you would be reaping the benefits of Georgia’s success in that arena.
All of the universities you are considering are great, and personally I would be choosing between Georgia and Notre Dame instead of USC, but you will get a good education at any of them.
Are you a direct admit to Marshall at USC and Mendoza at Notre Dame?
As mentioned by someone else, given that I’m unlikely to stay in the US post-graduation, I’ve had to ask around about the reputation of all three schools internationally. USC’s name recognition seems to branch out further than Notre Dame’s; I spoke to an acquaintance with significant HR experience where I live and they mentioned USC as frequently appearing on “hire from x colleges” lists, whereas ND’s name was far less commonplace.
Your insight regarding the reputation of both colleges among employers is something I hadn’t considered, though, so thanks a lot!
On another note, what do you think about the viability of starting at UGA and transferring to a higher-ranked school afterwards to lower costs? Specifically looking at top public schools for business that I passed over during my undergrad application (UMich, UVA, UNC).
Seems like a lateral move- those schools aren’t so so much better than UGA to justify uprooting yourself and starting off later making network connections.
Plus I think it’s very hard to transfer in to those business schools.
Give it your all where you go. If you are doing well enough to transfer them you are doing well enough to land a good job.
I can’t really speak about Notre Dame versus USC’s international reputation. It sounds like you have done your due diligence in that regard. Just make sure you get the opinion of one or more older CEO types, not a younger more hip international business person, who may not be old enough to remember when USC was nicknamed the “University of Spoiled Children”. And I don’t say that to be critical, I like USC and I encouraged my own DS22 senior son to apply there … but USC’s reputation is a little different depending on the age of the person you ask.
The transfer option is an excellent idea. Go to Georgia, try to get excellent grades, and then transfer at a later date. Michigan Ross is fantastic.
A special tip … Cornell takes a lot of transfers compared to other elite universities. The Cornell Dyson College of Business is excellent … as you probably already know.
Or your could even reapply and transfer to USC if you end up feeling like you made a mistake.
The great thing about the transfer option, if you don’t get accepted to a university you feel is worth the trouble of a move, or the financial package isn’t acceptable, you can just stay right where you are. You aren’t really risking anything. And you may be very happy at Georgia, and decide not to try to transfer.
That makes zero sense - because you can’t afford full pay. In other words, any reach school was out before you even applied - because of affordability. USC is a fine school and may be seen as fine in your country - but not at the price delta…that’s a lot of risk.
I don’t know your grades, etc. but assuming they are strong - and I don’t know how it works internationally -but you can still apply to Arizona and Alabama, both have excellent undergrad b schools - and get auto merit. That works for out of state - not sure if international. Just pulled it up - looks the same - and you’ll save even more - because in your country, one state school probably carries no more weight than another. Looks like Arizona doesn’t offer for the international although you may double check me. At Bama, your tuition can be $3k. And Manderson school is very good - like Terry school.
Let me clarify for future reference, in case the way I worded my initial post led you to believe otherwise. At our current family income, we are entirely capable of paying full tuition. If the situation remains moderately similar for the next four years, we’re good to go.
We were led to believe (perhaps incorrectly) that we would be unable to provide sufficient evidence for financial necessity currently, and that colleges wouldn’t grant need-based aid based on possible risk factors. Therefore, applying need-aware would significantly reduce admission chances while the aid (if any) wouldn’t be substantial by any means.
Our primary concern as it stands is the possibility of a. health concerns or b. general currency shenanigans drastically changing our family income in that timespan. That’s why it’s such a tough decision to make.
As a sidenote, I was admitted to Arizona and received auto merit; UGA both ranks higher and costs less post-scholarship by a narrow margin, thus why it’s my primary choice (other than the reaches) as it stands.
This is poppycock. At need aware schools, the schools might consider your financial need when your application for admission is reviewed. If you had little to no financial need, the college would not have any or very little obligation to provide you with aid. So…how would this have affected your chances of admission.
And you wrote this:
“ health complications that came up recently pose a possible financial risk moving forward”
What is your UW GPA. at 3.9 or better AZ would be less than UGA in state. Well for a us student. They are top shelf for MIS…AZ.
Terry at UGA is very solid.
So it’s $28k in state. USC is $86k. And if you move off campus it will be more.
That’s in part why they have more international. Rich people want the perceived best. You are expressing possible financial concern. Given many major economists now predict recession in two years, saving at least $230k over four years seems prudent to me. Btw u say they are ranked higher. By who ? Is there an official ranking service ? No it’s people that create criteria and weighting and tell you such and such is better. And then they sell subscriptions and magazines.
Truth is it depends on your major within business. If you were supply chain you can’t beat ASU, Michigan State, etc. MIS. Indiana and Arizona. These kids all get great jobs. Accounting Illinois. Into Bus is U of SC. But even that’s on rank.
You need to find the right school for you. I lean UGA but my personality is to spend less. Fortunately both my kids liked those schools most.
Good luck
Transferring is never good if it’s the initial plan. You go somewhere. You don’t have one foot out the door.
I’d ask your family. Do you want to spend another quarter of a million dollars with no guarantees ??
“If the people hiring you in a few years are age 50+, they may not think of USC as impressive at all.”
Unless, of course, they have children who have applied to college, or have had anything to do with hiring in the past 15 years.
To the OP, my son is also deciding between USC and UGA. But his price difference is less stark. Are you admitted to the honors college at UGA? That could make a difference. UGA seems like the better deal for you, if you were planning to live is the States. But certain areas, like India and Asia, hold USC in very high regard.