<p>Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve been here. Actually felt kind of nostalgic, since we’re graduating this semester I remembered this site and wanted to stop by. I hope to make a post in a few weeks with some reflections, but suffice to say the past four years here has categorically been the greatest time in my life. If I started to go on about the experiences, work, internships, etc. I’d be here all night gushing and still wouldn’t be done. But I do want to add something for desert as I realize this is a pretty important decision for you right now.</p>
<p>I think that it’s easy at the time to get really caught up in rankings and number when you are applying for undergrad. I remember it like it was yesterday (damn I’m old saying phrases like that …), and one of the best resources I had was CC. It was also one of the worse. Ironically enough a friend of mine and I still sometimes laugh at how neurotic people could get up here. It’s extraordinarily true though, people will genuinely have you believe that a ranking will determine your course into the future if you listen to the advice up here.</p>
<p>I’m not saying to disregard it all, but considering the fact that when I was applying, people at the time laughed at the idea of SC approaching the likes of UCLA, Duke, Vandy, Cornell, etc. in rankings. Now that we’ve ascended I’ve heard some of these same parties (forum dwellers, websites, etc.) go on about how rankings aren’t everything. They’re right too, but it’s funny how time can change opinions, no? With our endowment increasing and construction going on EVERYWHERE here (I swear in the four years I’ve been here we’ve rebuilt half of LA) expect this trend only to continue.</p>
<p>That out of the way, I can only give you a bit of insight into my experience here, but if you are going to college to succeed (and I’m hoping you are, otherwise you should probably reconsider this whole life thing), I think USC can offer just as many, if not greater opportunities than Stanford for someone in your position. First, I can’t stress enough how strong our network really is. I know its cliche when you hear about our school, but I’ve had interviews go from average, normal interviews, to:
“So where did you hear about us?”
“Well through connectSC I was using…”</p>
<p>“OH YOU GO TO SC! OH HAI WELCOME!”</p>
<p>Assuming you learn to present yourself well and maintain strong grades, an SC education legitimately comes with the backing of a built in hiring network in almost any field now (engineering, acting, media, business, law, etc.). And this isn’t just here. For instance, I can’t get into details now since I’m on the run, but while interning in Geneva doing some work for the UN, a few others in my major were interning for the EU in Brusells and ended up routinely chilling at an SC diplomat-esque alum’s house where they constantly met various European diplomats and politicians. These types of experiences, and others like eating with the Secretary of the Air force have become the norm over four years for me, and I know of so many others with similar experiences in their major. A huge advantage SC has in my opinion is that a lot of your professors aren’t just going to be academics, but those who have experienced the things they are teaching you in a real world setting.</p>
<p>The money on the other hand will allow you to take advantage of so many opportunities that you may not get a chance to having to pay sticker at Stanford. I could have never have gone to Geneva had it not been for my grant from SC covering most of my tuition and help paying for the trip. Similarly, with a Trustee scholarship you may be able to minimize or even avoid working during the year, allowing for more time to socialize and do things (and also do that studying business) rather than having to stress over finances. Trust me, I still have to pay for many of my bills and it’s not enjoyable; I couldn’t imagine also knowing I’d be graduating with hundreds of thousands in debt on top of that. </p>
<p>And on that note, depending on your career path in the future, that debt can be crippling. I’ll be attending law school in the fall having been blessed and fortunate enough to have gotten into a great T-14, something I accredit in part to my SC education. I mention this though, because if you have a similar goal (I didn’t upon entering certainly but had an inkling) or decide to go to med school, you’re now looking at nearly half a million in debt after graduating that. Even making $160k a year, you’ll be leaving like a miser or paying that back for 15+ years.</p>
<p>I’d like to go on and be more organized and share some more experiences with you as I don’t think that going to Stanford would be a bad idea at all. To be honest, I love Stanford as a school and I think I would have loved to attend undergrad there. If you can get a strong need based aid package, go for it and don’t look back man. SC is a great school and I’m obviously biased now since I’ve gone here, but I won’t deny that Stanford is still one of the greatest institutes in the world and will continue to be. Hell, those Trees even have some decent football to keep you entertained between study sessions up there ;)</p>
<p>That being said, having experienced four years at SC, if someone offered me a chance to go back and redo it to potentially “boost” my station in life, I wouldn’t. I have had incredible experiences, career opportunities and met so many dope people here that have contributed such value to my life and become an extended family to the point that I couldn’t imagine NEEDING a better start to my “adult” life. With the money from a trustee scholarship, you can be graduating even better than I can (and I’m sure you will have better grades than I did, and I didn’t do half bad if I could say so myself ). You’ll be in an incredible position, have access to damn near unlimited job resources on the west coast, be debt free, on top of your class, and have the choice to continue schooling without burdening your parents, or start working and helping them out. </p>
<p>Good luck either way man, this ran way longer than I intended, I’ve gotta run. Hopefully I can make a post before decisions are made this year and sway a few of yew to the Cardinal and Gold side. Later</p>
<p>Edit: Also, it’s cool to see all the parents still up here. Just want to give a shout out to all those that helped me, get to where I am. Thanks again, glad to see you all are still helping new undergrads here.</p>