USC vs. UMiami

<p>Hello, I'm trying to shorten the list of colleges that I plan to apply to and decided that the only ones that I would want to take off my list would be either University of Miami or University of Southern California. I don't really know that much about either college nor have I visited them, so I don't know which one I shouldn't apply to, or if i shouldn't even apply to either of them. I'm interested in going into pharmacy and I'm planing on majoring in biochemistry, biology or chemistry and then probably getting a minor in spanish. I'm looking for colleges that have small classes, good professors, and nice campus. I also like campuses with a "city feel" rather than a "small town feel". I'm not that interested in partying or sports so I'd like to go to a school where social life isn't dependent on going to parties and football games. Anyone have any advice? Thanks!</p>

<p>I don’t know about the schools in regard to your specific major, but you really need to do some research on that. If one has a significantly better major for you, apply there. If both are similar in terms of major, read on:</p>

<p>If you’re really adamantly opposed to hearing about/attending parties and football games, maybe UMiami would be a better choice for you. If you’re willing to suck it up and find friends outside of the main social scene, USC is an overall better school. I’ve visited both schools for music auditions, and USC wins for atmosphere hands-down. They’re both beautiful, but there wasn’t nearly enough life walking around UMiami when I visited, and the buildings weren’t as nice. USC is also much more renowned academically, and although the city of Miami is nice, LA is LA. Both universities probably have some small classes and nice professors. Both schools are great for a Spanish minor. It really depends on what you want out of a school though, so keep doing research.</p>

<p>one of my students was admitted to UMiami for a chemistry major as a prepharm so i went to the admitted student reception and all i can say is that i was not impressed with their general sciences and their administration in general. </p>

<p>i will say though, that if you were interested in something like marine biology UMiami is definitely the place to go.</p>

<p>otherwise, go to USC to enroll in the TAP program 100%.</p>

<p>Football is huge at both schools. For urban campuses that don’t revolve around sports, how about the likes of Boston University or George Washington or NYU. The downside is that they really don’t have 'nice campuses" per se, since the campuses are intertwined with the City.</p>