<p>It's going to be a REALLY tough choice for me to pick between USC and my state school! I got 1/4 tuition to USC, but even with 20 grand taken out in loans (my max), it is still 50 grand more over 4 yrs than my state's flagship. I am planning to do undergrad in journalism and international relations or poli sci and maybe go on to law school. </p>
<p>So what are some reasons why I should choose USC? I've come up with a lot of negatives, but I really love the idea of going to a new coast, new city, and the school looks beautiful...so I want some positive opinions, real opinions...not just "the football is good", because yeah...:P.</p>
<p>I'm doing Explore USC this April but the more opinions the merrier, esp. on academics, grad school placement, internships...</p>
<p>My own opinion, for what it's worth, is that USC makes sense if you really plan to stay in Southern California. If you think you want to settle on the other coast, your own state U might be the better choice. Not knowing what school that is, it's hard to compare the two, but with the exception of a few very well respected departments (music, architecture, film) USC won't be that well known outside of CA. </p>
<p>Now, if you are planning to settle in SoCal, the networking that exists among the alumni is quite valuable in job-seeking.</p>
<p>My kids' high school usually sends 10+ kids every year to USC. They seem to have a really good time!</p>
<p>Out here in CA, USC is considered a very prestigious private university and is unique because there are not many like it in CA- probably because our state schools are so big and good. I'm not sure if it gets the same respect outside of CA- it depends on what you will do with your education and where you will go. If you want to stay in CA after graduation, you will be able to make good connections (for internships and job placement), and being part of the Trojan family will last through your lifetime. If you will go back home where the connections will not be used as much, the value will drop. I don't mean to focus on the connections, it's just something you should consider. </p>
<p>Besides that, the professors and education is top class; USC often draws from those in the top of their fields on the west coast to teach or guest lecture. It is very difficult to get in to (at least if you are from CA) so the students are smart and eager to learn.</p>
<p>I definitely don't quite have plans yet for where I want to be after graduation...lol. I'd love to live in either San Francisco or Washington, DC (two of my favorite cities), but probably not southern California. </p>
<p>Like USC my state school is weak in the humanities, but has a strong journalism program. It has only regional recognition, but as a mid-atlantic school the connections in DC are really good. It's in top 50 USNWSR, but USC is ranked ~20 places ahead of it. </p>
<p>Basically I'm leaning towards my state school b/c it's cheap & will leave me in less debt for law school, and has good connections in DC if I choose to start a career with just an undergrad degree. I think academically USC is probably pretty similiar. I don't think either school is all that great in international relations. </p>
<p>Bear in mind that the USC Trojan network worldwide and here in the US is incredibly strong and loyal, which may come in handy after you graduate...</p>
<p>has USC's financial aid office evaluated your need-based aid yet?</p>
<p>last year, i had to choose between USC, UCLA, and UCSD. UCSD was really high on my list because of a minor they had, and UCLA because...it's UCLA haha (and i loved the campus when i toured it). USC was still my top choice by far, but i didn't think i could pay for it. but once they sent me my financial aid packet, the cost between USC and the other state schools was almost negligible. actually, my actual tuition cost was ~$5000 after a scholarship and need-based aid, which is less than the in-state tuition for UCs. so don't count out USC until their (fairly generous) financial aid office contacts you.</p>
<p>Oh, I won't get finaid. My EFC is extremely high :P. Apparently I could pay the entire cost of USC more than several times over in one year. Which makes no sense because my parents' combined income is not even that high. LOL!</p>
<p>But seriously, what's great about USC? What makes you guys glad you go to USC, and not someplace else?</p>
<p>My daughter really agonized because she always thought she'd wanted to go to a small school...what she found, though, is that USC combines the intimacy of a small school with the opportunities of a big school.</p>
<p>Aside from the academic opportunities, which have been great, there are many "cultural" activities, both on and off campus. Next month she'll be seeing the third play in L.A. this year that was paid for (including transportation) by USC. USC also took her freshman "learning community" to Dodgers and Kings games. She and friends have tickets to see WICKED this spring. The new Galen Center (basketball) is across the street from her dorm. You commonly run into things like Bruce Willis filming DIE HARD 4 or GILMORE GIRLS filming on campus. It's just a neat, "happening" place where something is always going on (my daughter's description).</p>
<p>She also took a field trip to the San Andreas Fault for her geology class, and has been offered some amazing opportunities if she pursues that area as a major or minor -- she did really well and the professors take a personal interest in the students' education. The professors are very accessible, even in big "intro" classes, and available for one-on-one counseling and help. </p>
<p>In summary, it's been an even better all-around experience than we'd hoped.</p>
<p>Sorry, that wasn't my intention.
I saw in the OP that she was planning on studying that at USC and that she was asking for advice on the school, and that no one said anything about the Int'l Relations and Journalism programs at the school.</p>