Looking to major in public policy/political science, in state tuition at UVA but am a finalist for USC’s Presidential Scholarship, so cost wouldn’t be too different between both schools, especially given that I haven’t gotten my financial aid package from USC. Love UVA and the people there, but getting away to California seems so enticing, given the weather, city of LA, culture as a whole. Thoughts? Any and all feedback is appreciated, thank you.
Remember to take travel cost into consideration too.
I think if the difference in cost is acceptable for your family – as long as they are not too far apart – this decision is all about environment and social vibe. You can get an excellent education and benefit from excellent opportunities at either school.
- USC is urban, while UVA is not. This will affect your overall experience, as USC's location in Los Angeles opens up the opportunities (and distractions...) of city life. Charlottesville, VA is home to fewer than 50,000 people -- it's a small city or a good-sized town, depending on how you look at it. Richmond is maybe 90 miles away and DC over 100, if you wanted to have some big-city experiences -- concerts, pro sports (DC), etc. So your social life would likely be more campus-centered at UVA because there's less to do in Charlottesville than in LA.
- The UVA campus is more than five times the size of USC's. This may mean longer walks/rides to classes.
- Crime is likely less of an issue at UVA given USC's urban surroundings.
- There will be a wider variety of weather at UVA. You probably won't need a winter coat/hat/gloves at USC, while you will at UVA.
So the feel will differ quite a bit between UVA and USC.
In terms of academic strength/rep, like I said, both are strong. UVA’s rep/tradition of excellence is much older, but USC has made strides in recent decades to improve their overall academic strength and the bump in rep is beginning to follow.
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USC does have Professor Schwarzenegger.
Both are great choices, but of course, very different in terms of location and vibe.
@prezbucky Although Charlottesville is a small city, there is plenty to do there if students want to venture off grounds -major concerts and cultural events, theater,history, outdoor activities, great restaurant scene, vineyards and breweries for older students, etc. https://www.visitcharlottesville.org
Good luck with the decision!
My D’s choice last April came down to those two. She is now at UVA (instate) and very happy there. USC only offered her January admission, and it might have gone the other way if they had offered her fall admission.
I think a large consideration is how much doing something different and more independent than going to UVA appeals to you. Another thing is how much you think you really would take advantage of things in Los Angeles, whether it’s internships, going to shows or the beach, or whatever. At either school, the on-campus personal and academic experience could be great, so if you’re really more excited to be in LA than Charlottesville that might be a better choice.
USC does have a higher percentage of Pell grant students and greater ethnic diversity than UVA, if that matters to you.
Update to this thread: I have been named an Echols Scholar at UVA, which does not carry any financial benefit, yet allows me a variety of benefits from having no required curriculum (no gen ed courses), priority registration when signing up for classes (which is very nice at a large school like UVA), and special faculty/career advisors for Echols scholars. Thoughts? Any advice is appreciated
Congratulations on Echols! Did you get your financial aid package yet from USC? Hopefully, you can go to admitted students day at both schools.
@sevmom Thank you very much! Nope not yet, I won’t find that out until after I find out about the scholarship in Mid-March (my admissions officer told me that my financial aid package would increase/decrease in accordance with if I get the scholarship).
Those are nice little perks they give you at UVA, but unless UVA and USC were equivalent in every other consideration, I’d consider them too unsubstantial to base a decision on.
I actually liked my gen ed classes. They were a nice break from all the math and computer classes I was taking for my major. The only time I saw my academic advisers were when they had to approve my classes. And at least at my school, I never really had a problem with getting classes, although sometimes I had to sign up for an 8 AM class because all the slots in the 11 AM class were full.
The OP is not pursuing a STEM degree so does not need a break from lots of math and CS courses .
@awill109 UVA will have stronger alumni connections on the the East Coast, USC on the West Coast. Although, both will have alumni chapters all over as they are comparable, national universities . Visit both, look at finances and fit, and go from there. Trust your gut. Good luck with the decision.
Lack of general education requirements does not mean that a student will not choose some courses outside of his/her major. But s/he may do so without having to look at the general education requirement check boxes when choosing them.
@awill109, both USC (Southern Cal) and UVA are highly ranked respected universities. Although it is sometimes hard to know the answer at 17, do you know where you might want to work or live after college? and whether you might be interested in graduate school down the road? USC has a great “Trojan family” network, particularly for jobs in Southern California, whereas UVA undoubtedly has great connections for public policy jobs in the D.C. area, East Coast… Not to say USC has no connections in D.C., but I venture to guess probably less than UVA.
Regarding the cost difference. The Presidential at USC is equivalent to about $27,000, so assuming you get it, you/family would be responsible for about $45,000 to $50,000 annually when factoring in all the other costs including travel back and forth from the West Coast. $200,000 could go a long way towards law school or grad school down the road. On the other hand, there is a possibility of bump up to Trustee if you interview well, but those bump ups are reportedly not common. Re financial aid, keep in mind that USC and any college will subtract any aid you qualify for from the merit award. They sometimes cancel each other out, but it is possible to still get some financial aid.
I am not as familiar with housing at UVA, but as an Honor’s student at USC, you would have automatic chance to live in the McCarthy Honors building in the new University Village and I believe Sophomore year as well if desired. That could be a plus in favor of USC. However, I think the Village housing cost may be higher than other dorm options, which is not covered by the Presidential merit award.
Quality of Life/proximity to home- Being instate, there can be advantages to being close enough to home to visit for some long weekends, Fall break, Thanksgiving, Winter break… On the flip side is that living across the country may help you to become more independent.
Campus SIze- an earlier poster mentioned UVA campus is much larger. However, the overall Undergrad student population is similar. UVA UG population may be a couple thousand less. Being in the Honors program at both may provide some access to smaller classes.
Flexibility of changing majors- USC is known to be flexible in adding major/minors. Not sure about UVA. Another poster mentioned the Urban/big city comparison. It is convenient that USC has the Metro stop across the street. However, many find after a year that they might like to have a car, which can add expense as an upper classman.
Safety-USC location is in a marginal area, meaning it is very urban and within a few miles, not particularly safe at night. Students are safe in a radius around USC because of a large campus security presence along with creative use of LYFT or UBER that covers student costs to get from campus to off campus housing. UVA is probably a little safer overall, but no matter where one goes to college, one needs to exercise common sense, not be walking alone at night…
Another poster already mentioned the weather differential.
Overall, both UVA and USC offer great opportunities. If costs are not a huge consideration as well as funding of graduate school in the future, USC has many positives. If costs might be a long term issue even with half tuition off at USC, UVA is definitely a highly respected university that is significantly more affordable instate. If you ultimately plan to return to the East Coast to work, that could favor a decision towards UVA. Also, being in Virginia, it may be a little easier to get and travel to and from internships in the D.C. area during the summer. Good luck!
Housing can be difficult at UVa. First year students are guaranteed housing, but a sizeable percentage of 2nd year students live off-grounds, usually in shared apartments, which are plentiful. This has pluses and minuses. Just something to keep in mind.