<p>So I have just been accepted into WUSTL today off the waitlist. Originally it was my top school, but after having been waitlisted, I chose USC. I barely considered USC when applying, but after having visited, I loved it.</p>
<p>WUSTL has a must better reputation, but I feel like I would be missing out on the "Trojan network" if i didn't attend USC. I am not from California, but I would love to live there. I don't mind waiting 4 years, but when I visited USC, they made it seem like it would be impossible to find a job unless i had a USC diploma. is that true?</p>
<p>Also, I know that Marshall at USC is very strong, whereas in WashU, the college and premed programs are more prestigious than Olin. How do the business programs compare?</p>
<p>I can't decide between the two schools! I love WashU, but it's hard to give up Los Angeles for St. Louis. When I visited WashU, I loved the school, but felt miserable in the city once I stepped off campus.</p>
<p>Well, I don’t really know that much about the business programs at either school (I know that Marshall is strong, but have no clue about WUSTL’s program).</p>
<p>However, I can offer my two cents–I will be attending USC next year, and my cousin will be graduating from WUSTL next year. She chose WUSTL over UCLA and says she regrets it all the time. She loves WUSTL and has had a great experience, but she is not the biggest fan of St. Louis. She says it’s pretty “dreary”. She is also disappointed that it’s a rather “sketchy” place, which I guess, in that sense, makes it comparable to USC… USC is beautiful, not in the best area, but LA is right there, which is awesome. I love the California feel–palm trees, etc, and that the football stadium is walking distance. Consider that in your decision too; do you like football games? USC is sure to have much more overall school spirit as well, if that’s of appeal to you.</p>
<p>The Trojan network is awesome from what I hear, but I’m sure WUSTL has some sort of alumni network, and a degree from WUSTL would of course not be frowned upon.
Also, consider where you want to live after graduation. If it’s West Coast, USC will present great connections to West Coast businesses. </p>
<p>I am clearly biased but I would (and, well, did) chose USC… it’s really an amazing place.</p>
<p>Tough choice. WashU is generally accepted as stronger than USC, but for business recruiting, I think they are on the same level. Where do you want to work/live after graduation?</p>
<p>immediately after graduation i want to spend a few years in new york, then hopefully move to california and settle there. i definitely do not want to be stuck in the mid-west after graduation, but since people on the east coast regard it as a good school, i don’t think that should be a problem. usc seems like the better choice, but i don’t want to bind myself to living in california. is wustl a well-respected school in california?</p>
<p>Overall, USC and WUSTL are peer institutions. Only those who blindly follow the USNWR would think that WUSTL is better.</p>
<p>This said, for those interested in the Life Sciences (Biology and Premed), WUSTL is going to be significantly stronger than USC. On the other hand, for those interested in studying Business and working in California, USC is going to be significantly stronger than WUSTL.</p>
<p>In the OP’s case, I think USC is the way to go.</p>
<p>WUSTLs Olin Business School is very strong at the undergraduate level. According to BusinessWeek, Olin students ranked #1 in [SAT</a> scores](<a href=“Bloomberg - Are you a robot?”>Bloomberg - Are you a robot?) in 2010. Olin is also a top feeder school into the top 25 MBA programs. If you are not set on working in California, WUSTL is the better choice. Congrats on getting off the waitlist!</p>
<p>Gtasby, Marshall and Olin are both good Business schools, but the OP clearly stated that he intends on living in California when he graduates. Given his interests, I think Marshall makes more sense. USC’s alumni network is strongest in California. </p>
<p>I also do not think Olin has much of a national reach. The program is highly regarded in the Midwest (particularly in St Louis and Chicago), but its popularity among recruiters takes a dip once you leave the rust belt. Case in point, you will not see many Olin students joining Silicon Valley or Wall Street firms. </p>
<p>PS: Many Business programs do not release SAT ranges and scores for their own program but for the entire university. I know that is the case with Michigan and Cal, both of which accept the majority of their students only once they have completed a year or two at the University. For example, according to the Business Week ranking, Ross’ average SAT/ACT scores are 1360/30 respectively. Those are in fact the average for the entire University, not Ross-specific. Ross does not publish SAT/ACT ranges except for preadmits, and their averages are slightly higher at 1430/32.</p>
<p>I’d have to agree with Alexandre. If you want to live in LA after you graduate USC is the ticket. WashU is generally more prestigious, but in the LA area USC’s strength is up a couple of notches.</p>
<p>OP: If you are completely set on California and the West Coast, Id go with USC; if you are seeking a first job on the East Coast, youll have plenty of options from WUSTL. Good luck, and congrats!</p>
<p>I agree that St. Louis is not as exciting for a young person as LA - on that end, the advantage is definitely USC.</p>
<p>OTOH, WashU isn’t in a sketchy area at ALL. It’s at the intersection of University City and Clayton. Clayton is a mini-business type of area (county seat for St. Louis County), there are tons of beautiful old homes you-should-be-lucky-enough-to-be-able-to-afford-one-day, and Forest Park. There’s a Ritz Carlton, upscale restaurants, general upscale living in the immediate area. In terms of the immediate college surroundings, the advantage is definitely WashU. </p>
<p>Good luck either way - these are very different choices IMO.</p>
<p>thank you all for your help!!
right now i am leaning towards washu because i feel like i won’t be able to study at usc… i’ll have too many distractions
is washu recognized/well respected on the west coast? or will i have to get a strong graduate degree to find a good job in california?</p>
<p>on a national level (not in the world of academia) usc is probably better known. both are highly regarded schools, but the environments are totally different. washu seems to be much more competitive and has a somewhat stronger (statistically) student body–the focus is heavy on schoolwork there and depending on your preferences might be less “fun.” to be honest, not as many on the west coast will know about the quality of washu and my guess is that most would probably think better of usc. of course you can get a good job in cali out of washu, it’s just not the same ease as with usc</p>