Yale or USC

College Search & Selection
1

Hello Everyone,

I am currently deciding between the University of Southern California or Yale University to attend for my undergraduate degree. I have been given varsity spots/guaranteed admission to both schools as a recruited athlete (I don’t want to share what sport I play for privacy reasons). I have been playing my sport for half my life and even though I have an extreme passion for it and enjoy doing it every second, I understand that I will not be a professional in this sport. Hence, I am using my skill in the sport to open up new opportunities in life for me like going to college. With that being said, I am not choosing one of these colleges solely based on their athletic programs and facilities. Both facilities satisfy me enough to where I know I will be successful at both so I am not focusing on the athletic side of this decision. If I was, I would be heading to USC which obviously has better athletic facilities and the better athletic team for the sport I play.

The main things I am looking at in an undergraduate experience, besides the athletic aspect, is one that will set me up the best in my future while also giving me an amazing college experience. I am a very social person and love to go out multiple times a week. I know that USC offers more in terms of social life and school spirit but I think that Yale also has a good social atmosphere and has parties just as often as USC just not as big/intense (I think). I also what to make amazing relationships with my peers and really get to know the student body at my school which would be hard at USC since, as an athlete, I would really only be exposed to other athletes and have relationships with them (whereas at Yale every student, regardless if they are an athlete, rooms with randomly selected students the first year). I am a very eccentric, out-going person and think that LA might cater to my personality a little more than New Haven, CT. USC is also a lot closer to where I live than Yale which is a plus (but they are both plans rides nonetheless). I know that my college experience is only 4 years and I can move to LA if I wanted after Yale but I am afraid I might not make the right connections to get me a job in LA if I wanted to. I am also interested in being apart of greek life which is a lot more established at USC, but Yale does have greek life and fraternities aswell. And I do understand the stereotype of the people at USC being stuck up and snobby but the school is so large I am sure I will find my people.

And obviously education-wise, Yale is the more prestigious and well-known school that USC, but I am trying not to let this get in the way of making a decision that is best for me. At USC the students start in a school (which is hard because I am not sure what I want to major in), but at Yale, students do not need to declare until the end of their sophomore year. I don’t know what major I want to do right now, but I am may be interested in going into the business field, but Yale does not have a business school whereas USC has one of the best ones in the country. They both have a really convenient recourses for student-athletes at the school. The workloads at both definitely seem manageable and I like at Yale the smaller class sizes.

I think I am overthinking this a little too much, but this is my future and I really do care about giving myself the best future possible. The social aspect of college is just as important to me as many other factors, like my athletic career. I know college will be hard work, but I want it to be fun and enjoyable.

Please give me your advice and which school you think would be the right fit for me!

2

Sounds like you want to go to USC. Toss a coin heads USC tails Yale. See how the result makes you feel in your gut.

3

If you get injured the day you step on campus and can not play your sport, which school will you be happier at? Their both great schools and can launch you into a successful career, so it’s about picking the school that you will be happy and engaged at because that’s where you will do your best work.

4

If your sport is surfing, then USC may be the better choice. If not, then Yale.

5

One of the good things about Yale because it is in New Haven is that there is a pretty vibrant campus life since your social options are limited (although the area immediately around campus has been revitalized with nice restaurants and shops). If you want a big city weekend, it’s a pretty convenient train ride to NYC. My son belongs to a frat, and between it and Yale sponsored activities, his social life seems pretty full.

While USC is a fine school, and without getting into a subjective opinion on which provides a better education, it is clear that Yale students overall are more academically accomplished just by looking at entering freshmen stat’s. This creates a much different classroom environment. Yes, there is no business major at Yale, but the job prospects for a Yale graduate in business are no worse than a business major at USC as long as the major involves, or the student has taken sufficient courses in, quantitative and critical thinking and writing skills. In fact, if your goal is “Wall Street” or “Big Consulting”, Yale is a better path IMO. I also don’t think Yale is at any disadvantage when it comes to getting a job in S. Cali vs USC. Conversely, I think outside of the West Coast, a USC degree does not travel as well.

I also agree with @AlwaysMoving, what happens if you can’t/don’t play your sport? Besides the impact on college life, what does it mean financially? Are you playing a headcount or equivalency sport? If you are eligible for financial aid from Yale, whether you play or don’t play your sport has no effect.

1 Like
6

You’re getting great advice above. I will only say congrats on being admitted to two very fine schools-- you’re in a great position. I think the one thing that would tip the scale in favor of USC is if you wanted to work in the entertainment/film industry/music business. In that case USC tops Yale in both the prestige of its program and its location. Otherwise Yale is hard to beat.