<p>which would you all choose? Any reason why?</p>
<p>WUSTL...much better academic reputation.</p>
<p>USC is improving at a VERY rapid pace right now, and I don't think the rankings have kept up with that 100%. And USC's alumni network is the best around outside of the ivies. Not saying that WUSTL isn't a very good school too, but don't judge USC just by it's current ranking position.</p>
<p>What are you looking to study?</p>
<p>I'm actually undecided, but I have interests in many subjects: econ, biology, business. I just want to start off with some good liberal arts courses, then decide.</p>
<p>Hmmm, well, they have rather different social reputations.</p>
<p>WUSTL has perpetually losing D3 sports teams, and is not known for having a particularly active Greek life. Though it isn't a "nerdy" atmosphere, per se, I might argue that it's more on the intellectual, quiet side.</p>
<p>USC, on the other hand, has an amazing football team, and isn't bad in other nationally ranked D1 sports, either. But, many of us are aware of the typical blonde, designer-clad sorostitute/popped collar frat boy image of USC's social life, which is dominated by the Greek scene.</p>
<p>Which one of these groups do you feel is a better fit for you?</p>
<p>Of course, you should also consider location (weather, distance from home, etc) and academics. Though really I would argue that there isn't too much of a difference in the academic quality between the two schools, and that USC's alumni connections are INCREDIBLE. I grew up in Southern California and let me tell you, I never knew a USC grad who hadn't made enough money to get an SC vanity plate for his BMW 7-series.</p>
<p>Personally, I would choose USC, but that's just because I'm quite social and I LOOOOOVE college sports.</p>
<p>Where do you want to live when you graduate? WashU has more mid-western cache, but if you plan to live in California, the USC network is very strong.
Personally, I'd prefer USC, but I'm a Californian, and love it here. USCs academics are certainly strong enough, and outstanding in certain areas.<br>
You need to visit both, talk to a lot of profs and students, and apply to both. If you have great test scores, SC will probably give you money. Keep an open mind until you have to choose.</p>
<p>WashU is better than USC in econ and bio and is eqal to USC in business.</p>
<p>plus the dorms are amazing there.</p>
<p>I visitted washU, and it's definitely a place I'm considering going to...I think it also needs to be said that both schools seem to really care about their students; you will definitely have a hands-on learning experience at either school.</p>
<p>For whatever it's worth, US News ranks Washu quite high above USC (#11 and #30, with a score difference of 17 points out of 100). If WashU does keep on growing and gaining more attention, it could become a more prestigious school in the near future. However, that's total speculation, and I think most people here find Washu's rankings to be "overhype". Still, it's a beautiful campus and not very far from Downtown St. Louis.</p>
<p>I think ultimately, WashU is slightly better than USC at academics in the areas you mentioned, but it's not like going to USC will cause Grad schools and employers to shun you; both schools are very well respected. Ultimately, it depends on the social life you are looking for...that's about it.</p>
<p>US News rankings aside (when you apply for a job people don't go o you went to emory that was ranked 20th in 2006 when you enrolled) I visited both schools, wash u and usc are both very well kept pretty schools, but wash u is in a better area, usc is right by where the LA riots were. both are strong academically but i think it comes down to social life, both ahve big greek scenes, usc is typical cali where as wash u is like NY and midwestern. both have good names but i think usc probably has a stronger alumni network and there is a usc grad in every major city in the country...i would choose wash u, but thats me</p>
<p>
[quote]
But, many of us are aware of the typical blonde, designer-clad sorostitute/popped collar frat boy image of USC's social life, which is dominated by the Greek scene.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Nonsense</p>
<p>Exploring the Myth of Privilege</p>
<p>Also see this thread:</p>
<p>actually, wasn't Marshall ranked a few spots better than WUSTL for Ugrad Business? And I know they're better for grad.</p>
<p>on the rich kid image of USC...it's known for having an extremely diverse campus. having visited there a few times, i can vouch for this...and it was one of my major considerations for going there vs. the UCs. also, USC's financial is pretty strong, so you can expect, proportionally, a lot of lower income kids to go there.</p>
<p>and yeah USC's in a kinda shady part of town, but the campus itself is very safe, and even off campus i hear as long as you don't go out gun in hand by yourself, you'll be fine.</p>
<p>USC, Wustl seems to science oriented for my tastes.</p>
<p>USC if you like football, WSUTL if you like studying</p>
<p>
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USC if you like football, WSUTL if you like studying
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my impression from when i went there is that USC is far deeper than just a football school. in fact, on the numerous tours and discussions i was in on campus, they downplayed their football program and really just mentioned what happens before a game.</p>
<p>USC was top choice for me because it wasnt so much that people didnt study as hard, as it was that they encouraged students to pursue things besides academics, though most of their programs are pretty strong. they encourage double majoring/minoring/double minoring, have tons of intramural sports, and being in a major film and music school, the arts are strong.</p>
<p>WashU is a smaller school in a safer area with better dorms / food and significantly stronger student body (if judged by scores/GPAs). It is significantly better for life-science-related majors and as good or better then USC in most of other departments. It is extremely easy to double -major at WashU. Pre-med is hard there.</p>
<p>It is not very much liked for some reason on this board (for its 11th rank by USNews that most people don't think it deserves).</p>
<p>A lot of people (especially on merit scholarships, but not only those) choose it over ivies for great academics combined with high quality of life.</p>