<p>So I just got off the wait list at WashU to study Operations and Supply Chain Management at Olin; before I knew I'd clear the wait list, my plans were to study Industrial and Systems Engineering at USC. Half my friends think that WashU is the best school in the world; the other half think it's in Seattle. I just wanted to get some independent opinions on what my course of action should be in here. (Yes, I did search, and what I've gathered from similar threads is that the network at USC is significantly better, especially in SoCal, while WashU seems more nurturing to students, encouraging double majors, study abroad, etc., and everyone who goes there seems to love it. I wanted to see if I could dig up any more reasons to choose one over the other).
Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>I am currently a junior at USC majoring in Biomedical Engineering, and WashU St. Louis was one of the other schools I was considering when I was making my college decision. Both universities have strong engineering programs, but have very different campus environments. For me it came down to external factors and Ive been able to have some incredible opportunities and experiences at USC both inside and outside of the classroom.</p>
<p>USCs location within sunny Los Angeles is very appealing not only for the opportunities to students after graduation looking to work in industry, but LA offers so many different fun things to do from restaurants and concerts, to sporting teams and the beachthere is really something for whatever your interests may be outside the classroom.</p>
<p>I was attracted to USC because of the school spirit and resources at the university level (Ive been able to take classes in economics, accounting, kinesiology, and cinema), with the personalization and opportunities at Viterbi. Many of my engineering friends are also pursuing minors in subjects including Spanish, Marketing, Theatre, and Human Rights.</p>
<p>Viterbi gives you a taste of Engineering your first semester with ISE 105 (Intro to Industrial Engineering) and the Freshman Academy program which teaches students the implications and applications of Engineering with hands-on experience, while two coaches (other undergraduate engineering mentors) show freshman the different resources available within Viterbi.</p>
<p>I knew I wanted to get involved with research, and I started working in a lab my first semester at USCthis is something you wont find at many other universities, and it also allows you to work in a lab where you are interested in the ongoing research conducted by that USC faculty member.</p>
<p>You also mention studying abroad which was also very important to me when I was considering different schools. I knew after talking to my Viterbi advisors that it was not only possible, but also encouraged. Last summer I had the chance to travel to Paris through the Viterbi Summer Overseas Program, take classes and travel Europe. I also have engineering friends who chose to study abroad for a semester in England, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland! So if you want to study abroad there are a lot of different programs to do so!</p>
<p>Ive been fortunate to get involved in a variety of clubs and student organizations, within Viterbi, USC, and Greek Life, while taking advantage of everything that the greater Los Angeles has to offer. I hope this gives you a little more insight into USC Engineering and why I chose both of these. I also wrote two short blog posts on both of these topics at: viterbivoices.usc.edu/clairec. Many of my other engineering friends (a few who are ISE too!) have blogged about Viterbi too at viterbivoices.usc.edu. If you have any more questions, please dont hesitate to email me at <a href=“mailto:vstudent@usc.edu”>vstudent@usc.edu</a>. Best of luck with your decisionboth are amazing schools! Fight On!</p>
<p>Claire</p>
<p>Thanks for all the insight. The fact that you chose USC over so many other great engineering schools speaks volumes (I know you only mentioned WashU here, but I spoke to you at one of the Explore USC days), and I don’t know how I could live with St. Louis weather or go to a school without a D1 football team. USC it is then; thanks again for all the insight.</p>