@SeattleTW between Michigan and USC, which one did you prefer or did you enjoy them the same? And if you don’t mind me asking which one did you do undergrad at? Thanks!
@slzSLZ hi again! I’m still undecided but definitely leaning more toward Michigan! If all things were equal between the two, I would definitely choose Michigan but idk if that’s the case. What about you ?
@spalak3 I also want to go to Umich because USC cost me two and half year to finish the program. I also read the graduation requirement for Marshall. The courses are not solid. Their one course is 4 credits. I don’t think I can learn many thing by taking only three elective courses from FBE.
I also read the courses in Umich Econ major. One course is 3 credits. I can graduate right on time, also I may double with stat/math. If we learn more econometrics in Umich, I think we have a shot to some IBs or consulting firms.
First of all, the chances of a Chinese national going from Harvard, USC, Wharton or Michigan to Wall Street are zero. You will have to return to China; however, you will likely land a great job in Hong Kong, Shanghai or Singapore. Forget IB in the United States. Second, I graduated from USC undergrad and got an IB job through USC connections. I was a poli sci grad but had a high GPA, Phi Beta Kappa, blah, blah, blah, and the recruiter told me the firm preferred hiring private school grads from USC and Stanford, etc., and it was in the L.A. office. The place was full of MBAs from top schools. Third, after a year I went to Michigan Law School (it was that or B School and I love practicing law) when it was ranked in the top five. The Law Quad was awesome. Fourth, and this was in the 90s, I noticed, after taking a Chinese language course, that Michigan didn’t treat its undergrads as well as USC did; at USC the professors and admins treated us as though it was an honor to have us, and I didn’t feel like a number. There were no registration hassles, lines, over subscribed classes, etc. OTOH, the law school treated us like the privileged kids we were. The student body at Michigan was very white bread (i.e., Caucasian), as compared to USC, which has a huge international student body. I actually liked Michigan’s lack of ethnic diversity, ironically, because it was refreshing change. There were very few Asians or Hispanics as compared to USC. Football is more infused in the culture at Michigan because of limited entertainment options, as compared to Los Angeles. Frat parties and bars along University Avenue in Ann Arbor are legendary. If you enjoy beer, hit the Brown Jug if it’s still there; Ann Arbor is the quintessential place to party for college and makes USC look like Stanford by comparison.
Bottom line: visit both schools before making your decision because you’re headed back home after graduating. Michigan definitely will be an experience you will never forget, especially the long, cold winters. But I did have a blast drinking beer and watching football on the weekends. And ordering Domino’s pizza on Sunday nights, a tradition I still maintain. Good luck.
@SeattleTW thanks so much that’s helped a ton! When I visited Ann Arbor and the campus I loved it and I really could see myself at school there. The only thing I’m worried about is when I come home to southern cal will I be able to get a job with a Michigan degree. I’m a good student and I work hard, do you think I’ll have a hard time finding a job in SoCal after graduating from Michigan? I would like to go to grad school at USC for my MBA that’s why I prefer to come home and work in LA.
I would think it is easier to get a job in S cal from UMich than it is to get a job in Michigan from USC. Many graduates of U Mich leave the state. SeattleTW has suggested that it will be hard for you to get a job in the US no matter where you go. Econ undergraduates or undergrad BBAs typically don’t have the specialized skills needed to get the visa you would need – at least they would have lower priority than engineers or CS majors who also have a hard time getting the visa.
@SeattleTW which one do prefer for undergrad? I would love to get degrees from both also I’m just having a tough time deciding which one I want to go to in the fall.
You know it’s kind of late for you to decide, you must commit to 2 schools, otherwise why are you still up deciding? Are you internationals? As most poster posted, you won’t find work easily with either school.
Ross definitely has the better MBA program, if you want to get degrees from both schools.
Keep that in mind.
Agreed above, that if he’s going to end up in so cal, then USC undergrad, UM grad makes more sense; however, his safer bet is the reverse because it’s easier to get into USC B School than Ross because Ross is higher ranked.
My father is a huge Notre Dame fan and when they played USC on TV one Saturday when I was just a boy, I told him I was going to USC. USC was losing in the first half but came roaring back to win the game. I was literally attracted to their school pride and spirit. But I was one of those half-way athletic, student government types, so I fit right into the USC culture. In short, you must follow your heart, otherwise, you won’t be happy. It sounds like you prefer Michigan so go there. If you don’t like it after a year, transfer to USC. You have nothing to lose.
@SeattleTW That’s actually really funny because there’s a USC vs Notre Dame football program from forever ago sitting on our table in the living room because my dad loves both of those schools, so naturally my dad would love for me to go to USC because we live in Orange County and he would love to go to all the football games and events. Also I’m an only child, and a girl, so I think he’s stressed about me going far away to Michigan where we have no family if anything were to happen, but that’s why Michigan appeals to me the most because it’s so unknown. Ideally I would love to go to Michigan for undergrad Econ and then USC Marshall for my MBA because I do love USC, that’s why this decision is so tough because I have so many at friends at SC and the transition to SC would be so easy so I’m just torn. I know it’s cheesey, but my heart says Michigan but my head says USC because it just makes more sense to go there if I want to end up in SoCal where my family is and eventually work out here. But if I want to get my MBA from Michigan, I don’t know how likely I am that I will be accepted to Ross for grad school because it’s so competitive. I have to decide by tomorrow and I feel like I’m going to have to just pick a name out of a fish bowl at this point.
I will say Michigan grad schools are fond of USC undergrads because of location. And because of sheer size, Michigan is more competitive than USC and other privates, including Stanford, at the undergraduate level, so your chances of doing well at USC and getting into Ross (or Wharton) aren’t that bad. That said, you will know the first semester whether Michigan is a good fit so try it out, it’s worth a shot because you have nothing invested at either school at this point. You can always return and transfer into USC, which would take you based upon your change of heart. I had a high school acquaintance who actually transferred from Stanford to USC for similar reasons. Go and you will have no regrets.
Well, USC undergrad isn’t exactly small . . .
Nope but Michigan is a third larger…
@SeattleTW I think I’m going to go to Michigan! I’ve really wanted to go there but I was trying to convince myself otherwise but that’s where I want to go. If I do well in Econ at Michigan, what do you think my chances are of getting into Marshall at USC for my MBA? I know this sounds silly but I am afraid I won’t get accepted in the future if I withdraw my application from USC for undergrad.
Congrats. If you do well at Michigan you’ll get into USC and turning down undergrad will not matter as the schools are completely separate.
@blu5959 @SeattleTW @purpletita @spalak3
I think I will go to USC, although many of my American friends told me to go to Umich. I have following reasons:
- I think USC has more opportunity, not only provided by school, but also provided by the entire city. LA is an awesome city. I believe there are a lot of things going on every day. If I take initiative ( I will because I love different kinds of events.), I think I will be able to lunch a job at least in LA. The worst thing is that I fail to get H1B, there are many connections to Hong Kong and China in LA, which I might be able to use.
- I don't like the atmosphere in LAS school. They don't have those kind of events like in B-School. I can go to those events which are held by B-School but I will feel it does not belong to me.
- Umich may have a better reputation in Finance field overall but economics major cannot bring the same opportunity as marshall can bring me.
- I want to work in United States. I know lots of you guys said it is very hard but I have already lunched a bank internship when I was a sophomore back in Milwaukee. I think I might be good at interview since I received couple internship offers already.
- In USA, me, as an international student, I came here to study but more than study. I want to see the world, ( USA is fucking #1, I admit that). I want to see many different things which may give me better sights of the world. I think LA might give me more things than in Ann Arbor.
- I feel I get more attention in private school than in Public school.
- Although I love Umich's school color which is same with my first school Marquette University, red is fine with me. Haha.
- USC will take me one more semester to finish BBA. I can graduate on time in Umich. But I think one semester is fine with a man. Haha
- One of my friend in USC told me that USC is getting better and better, the whole school is like a unit. The president of USC said they will try to break into Top 10 school in 5 years in their faculty meeting. Maybe it is not possible, but they really try to bring the school reputation up.
- I want to work right after my undergrad and work couple years, and do a good MBA. So I think USC undergrad graduates have a good reputation among top MBA programs
- Thank you very much to all of you. I think I learnt a lot from you guys. Thank you.
If anything I am wrong about, please point out them. I would really appreciate.
You made a wise decision, IMO, mainly because USC is clearly a school on the rise. Because of a massive fund raising machine, investment in the undergraduate programs, increased selectivity, its warm weather location, and fact it is private and thus unconstrained by government, USC is one of the few universities with the will, momentum and financial resources to break into the top 20 within the next ten to 15 years. Best of luck and Fight On!
@slzSLZ @SeattleTW @PurpleTitan oh no now I’m afraid I’m making the wrong decision! Should I go to USC and do business undergrad and then apply to Michigan for grad school? After you posted that I got so worried that I’m making the wrong choice. Please help!