<p>I was recently rejected from my dream school, Notre Dame. I was admitted to some great schools, and I have narrowed them down to Vanderbilt and USC.</p>
<p>I think my decision would be easier if I knew what I wanted to do as far as majors is concerned. I am undecided at both.</p>
<p>I think it is important to know that I would like to live in Southern California after graduation, so you would think USC would be the obvious pick. I love USC's campus and the programs that they offer, but Vandy is hard to pass up. Not only is it ranked 19th in the country, but it also said to have one of the most beautiful campuses in the country ( im visiting next week ). But, Vandy would also be a huge culture shock. </p>
<p>So, I am really confused... and I was wondering if you guys could give me your opinions of these schools.</p>
<p>I don't think you can go wrong. Both schools are highly ranked. While USC is larger than Vandy, it's not state school large so you are still going to have small classes. </p>
<p>One of the things I love about USC is the sense of family you get. It is especially advantageous if you plan on staying in Southern California, as USC's alumni network is especially strong here. </p>
<p>I would wait until you have a chance to visit Vandy. Then go with your gut.</p>
<p>You will not feel a culture shock at Vanderbilt. TRust me. Their admission rate just plummeted and their student body most resembles that of Rice, Emory and Duke in diversity now..it has altered greatly in a span of five to seven years to more and more national in make up. I have lived in California and in Nashville twice. Nashville is a fantastic city. Vandy will have a southern vibe in the frat culture in certain groups that is old school, but this is only one flavor of life at Vandy now and no longer defines the experience at all.<br>
USC is a great college. Vanderbilt..well..do you like your teachers to know your name while still enjoying a capital city and a major medical center and Unfriggin believable constant music and art venues passing through town? Do you like highly rated law, med and div schools on campus and a campus that is in harmony with its host city...do you like a robust sports program and a host city with its own sports scene and a Symphony to die for....</p>
<p>do you like four seasons a year and access to the New South economy...it is a great thing to have that offer in hand. I wish we had been so lucky...my son was admitted but with no merit offer whatsoever. He is very happy at Duke, but sorry..Durham is no Nashville.</p>
<p>if money were equal, I'd say either choice is great, go with your gut. However, if USC doesn't come up with $$ to make it comparable, I'm on the Vandy bandwagon, with no hesitation!</p>
<p>I am a native southern Californian, currently an associate professor at Vanderbilt Medical Center and the parent of a junior in high school. She has absolutely no desire to apply to USC (University of Spoiled Children). She is a second generation California native! Unless USC can offer you a better financial package I would take the very generous financial offer from Vanderbilt and run with it. USC cannot hold a candle to Vandy from a prestige standpoint, and this is a much more affordable area to live in than So Cal. We also don't have earthquakes! I would also not base my choice of college on where you think you want to live after graduation. You should only concentrate on what each school can offer you during your 4 years there. If you do have plans for graduate school, Vanderbilt wins hands down in placing its grads in top tier medical, law, dental and other graduate programs.
Life is not as rosy as you think in California, and there has been a major exodus of white collar jobs to neighboring states. Have you seen all the TV ads lately encouraging people to move to California? It's because they need to improve the tax base there! Nashville, on the other hand, has an incredibly diverse economy with steady growth across all job markets. It is much more recession proof than California is!
Vanderbilt has actively sought to increase diversity in its students and has been quite successful in this endeavor, so you have a school with fairly good racial and geographic diversity in an area that still has basic Southern charm and great music, sports, shopping,dining,etc.
Good luck with your decision. How great that you have such good choices to make!</p>
<p>You did not mention your study area and I think that can make a difference. Everyone will post their ideas and favorite based on their experiences and bias. My son is at USC in engineering and we looked at Vandy. I think USC is superior in most Engineering majors, grad and undergrad, but either is a great choice.</p>
<p>I'll most likely be in Human and Organizational Development at Vandy's Peabody college with a minor in managerial studies. I think its an awesome program.</p>
<p>At usc, Im not sure. </p>
<p>I was admitted to the college of LAS... but I might try to apply for communications school or business school. </p>
<p>Thank you for the opinions.</p>
<p>How is the national reputation of Vandy though?</p>
<p>Another very enthusiastic Vanderbilt parent here. I have no knowledge of USC, other than its fine national reputation. I'd like to reprise what midmo, Faline, and the other Vandy fans have said. I hope you'll post again after your visit - the campus visit is what sold us, in a major way, on all that Vandy/Nashville can offer. And with major aid? Wow!</p>
<p>So many people are concerned about the culture shock aspect of living in Nashville. My northern (liberal Democrat) daughter has loved it, though some aspects are very different from what she grew up with. When she's home, she's always pointing out little lapses in etiquette (failure to hold doors open, sales clerks who don't say "you're welcome" when you say "thank you" or greet you when you enter the store) that, she asserts, would never happen in Nashville. The night life is outstanding and varied. The weather can be extreme (she's been brought down to the basement a few times due to approaching tornadoes), but is usually just so beautiful, and so superior to what we have here. She will always love Nashville. </p>
<p>Vanderbilt has an excellent national reputation- better than USC, in my opinion. The strength of the professional schools (law is Top 15 and medical is even higher) helps boost the reputation of an already prestigious undergrad school. It is on the rise, too.</p>