Currently my top choice school is USC and it’s getting down to crunch time and I still haven’t found other schools I truly see myself at.
I mainly like USC because…
My intended major is business and I really like Marshall and what they offer.
The social scene. I like how I can choose to be a part of Greek life , but not being a part of it won’t hinder me. I also like the spirit of the school.
The weather. I have SAD so being in an area with more sunlight is ideal.
Not in a super religious area (I would really prefer to avoid the south) and located near a city where I could see myself living and/or finding a job.
ACT: 33
UW GPA: 3.88
Anyone recommendations would be really appreciated!
If you want sunshine, that means either the southeastern US or the southwestern US. OK, you apparently don’t like the southeast, so that leaves the southwest.
There are only four elite private universities in the southwestern US: Stanford, Caltech, USC, and Rice. USC is the only one that offers an undergraduate business major. So basically, there are no other colleges like USC in these respects.
If you want more options, you need to start compromising. Some possibilities:
Top southwestern public universities. For example, UC-Irvine, Cal Poly-SLO, and UT-Austin have well regarded undergraduate business programs. UCLA (which is commonly compared to USC) has a "business economics" major. But note that if you are not a California resident, you will get zero financial aid at a CA public school.
Less selective southwestern private universities. For example, Loyola Marymount (in Los Angeles like USC) and U of San Diego (not to be confused with UC San Diego or San Diego State) get lots of sun and have undergraduate business programs. SMU would be an even stronger option.
Elite private universities in the southeastern US. This may be your best alternative, if you want both a top school and sunshine. For example, Emory, Tulane and Miami have business majors (Vanderbilt, also mentioned above, does not). You apparently want to avoid the South, but note that Atlanta, New Orleans and Miami are major cities with their own distinct cultures that are not stereotypically "Southern". In fact, Miami is arguably more Caribbean or Latin American than it is "Southern".
I would second SMU as a safety. The Cox School of Business is very good. SMU will offer lots of merit if you have a 33. The weather is sunny most of the year. It has a vibrant Greek scene, but students don’t have to participate to be happy there. Dallas is a great city for employment. It does not feel like an old south town–more like a go getter urban environment. Religion is not a predominant aspect of the school. On my daughter’s tour the guide jokingly called it somewhat Methodist University.
University of Denver has a good undergraduate business program AND more than 300 days of sunshine per year… more than USC, in fact* !
*This popular claim is a bit controversial, but Denver does get TONS of sunshine, and often more than California coastal areas which get a fair amount of fog/“marine layer”
Which state are you in and what are you looking to study? I transferred from USC to UCSB and loved it! I was part of the Greek system, but had many friends who weren’t. The weather can’t be beat (and the campus is steps from the beach!). Super friendly student body with excellent school spirit (soccer games, basketball games, etc are well attended). As a USC transfer, I wish I had visited UCSB and spent time in the adjacent college town of Isla Vista as a senior. Great alumni network for job placement as well. Good luck!
@Tor1727 oops…sorry, just noticed that you’re looking to study business. UCSB has an ECON major (or Communications major), but not Business specifically.