<p>I need some help making a decision between these two schools. A little information about me- I was at UC Santa Cruz last year as a freshman and applied to transfer and got into both schools. I just found out I got into USC so I am now considering it as an option for next year (sophomore year). I will most likely be studying economics with a minor in philosophy at either school unless I get into the Marshall School of Business (received notification that I was admitted but not sure if to which school within USC). Nonetheless I want to go onto get a top MBA after my undergraduate years.</p>
<p>Is it splitting hairs between these two good schools? or will I get an upper hand at one over the other?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any help or thoughts.</p>
<p>I think USC would have a stronger network and reputation in SoCal and Vanderbilt would have a stronger reputation in its region. It depends where you intend to work after you graduate.</p>
<p>Where do you intend to live after graduation? Will one university be significantly more expensive for your family? </p>
<p>SC has added new faculty in those two departments from Oxford and Cambridge. The School of LAS recently received a gift of $200 million from the Dornsife family.</p>
<p>They both gave me about the same financial aid package which my family and I are definitely satisfied with. As far as location goes, I don’t really care where I am working. I’m much more concerned with what I am doing for my job. Basically I’m looking purely at which school will provide me with the resources, connections, and knowledge to get me where I want to go. Not sure if this is will very between the schools or if it is purely contingent to upon me to make it happen since they are both of the same caliber.</p>
<p>Los Angeles isn’t a city for everyone…lots of reasons to love it and lots of reasons to hate it. Hard to believe you don’t have a strong reaction to it one way or the other.</p>
<p>^Nor is Nashville a city for everyone. Have you visited Nashville and Vandy? Do you like CA and the weather? Congrats on your acceptance to both of these outstanding schools. I’d follow the advice of sentiment and Georgia Girl and go to the school that is in the area you want to work. I’d also consider the campus vibe of each school. Vandy may be slightly more Greek oriented, which is not for everyone.</p>
<p>Well I am from Los Angeles and am sort of indifferent to it. I visited Vandy, which has a great campus, unfortunately everyone had moved out prior to my visit. At UCSC greek life did not exist so I really dont’ know if that is something I’ll grow to care about.</p>
<p>I hear Nashville is an awesome city. Perhaps it would be better for me to leave my home state/city.</p>
<p>Congrats on being accepted to two great schools! On big difference between the two is that Vandy does not have an undergraduate school of business, like USC does with Marshall. You can major in Econ at Vandy, but it does not have an accounting, marketing, int’l business, entrepeunership major etc., if that is important to you. Vandy is VERY southern, which is neither good nor bad, it just depends on what you like. It is VERY different from Santa Cruz. It is common for girls to wear skirts (Lilly is big) and make-up to class. Greek life is big, but that is true at USC also. Vandy does not have the big football team like USC, which generates tons of school spirit and is a fun thing to do on Fall weekends.</p>
<p>So, if you’re up for experiencing a new culture and are they type that will go with the flow and join a sorority, and you know you want to major in Econ, then Vandy is a great school and a new experience.</p>
<p>The good thing is–you have two terrific choices. Good luck!</p>