No you cannot lose anything.
Hi everyone! congratulations to everyone on getting into wherever you did. You are all high-achieving, diligent individuals that any institution would be lucky to have.
I’m currently in a dilemma. I’m a prospective economics student set on USC; the weather, alumni network, laissez-faire vibe and just general aura of happiness have really taken me in this few weeks. In addition, I’m enthralled at the opportunity to be on a campus, as opposed to a “city” university. The caveat is that I got into NYU as well–a school that my parents, friends, and cousins recommend due to the proximity to Wall Street and Economics reputation.
My main inquiry is (barring price, cuz they’re costing me the same) whether employers in financial services are still stuck in this perception that an NYU degree is more “solid” than a USC one when it comes to business-related fields, or whether going to USC wouldn’t actually impact my employability in finance (seeing as I really love it).
Thanks in advance and good luck!
I also wanna live somewhere warm when I’m done at school, so there’s that.
Where do you live now?
IF you see yourself living on the East Coast after college, AND are sure you wont change your mind re: your chosen major, then NYU is probably the smarter choice for you. Have you been to both colleges?
Hi @menloparkmom. Thanks for the information. I’m a little confused because someone in financial aid told us the university merit award stays put, even when the NMF kicks in. In all candor, what you said above is how I thought it would work. Do you know if there is a person or department that focuses on the NM stuff? Thanks!
Thanks for the reply! I am currently undergoing A-Levels in Oxford, UK and, as such, haven’t had the opportunity to visit both schools. However, I’ve communicated with people in the chats for both schools and extensively studied the scenic, academic and career opportunities of both (as best as you can online).
I’d rather live in a warm, vibrant, American city; not sure if that exists on the East Coast. But a lot of the cold places (NY, London etc.) seem to be economic powerhouses. I just hope I’m not doing myself a disservice regarding my employment going to where I’d rather live (LA), than where there seems to be proximity to finance jobs (NY). Does LA offer much in the way of financial services opportunities? Idk.
@green26knight,
how much was the merit award? And what is it called? IF they said it stays put, then that should be good enough but I’d make sure you get that is writing.
NM Scholarships are processed a couple of times a month when USC receives first choice updates from NMSF.
I dont know if there is a certain dept or person who handles them but I’ll try to find out.
Is anyone familiar with the post-admit Leadership Scholarship? It is worth $10,000 and provides eligibility for McCarthy. This was received by D after getting the no scholarship notice in January.
It was a great surprise.
Does LA offer much in the way of financial services opportunities? Idk.
Not as much as NY.
@Nomorelurker Unsolicited advice, but if you decide on USC and can swing the Villiage/honors it is probably worth cutting some corners elsewhere. Just a very nice set-up and very convenient. Nicest college set-up we saw. Lots of families (like us!) host students who are stuck in SoCal for thanksgiving. We had 6 extra kids this past Nov. - plus the President hosts about 300 kids or something like that. So be assured no one goes hungry!
@cheekychapstick
“I also wanna live somewhere warm when I’m done at school, so there’s that.”
OK, given that bit of info, know that there will be plenty of opportunities on the West Coast in finance when you graduate, in great part due to the TREMENDOUS USC alumni network out west. You can only have 1 job at a time. And LA is becoming a “go to” designation for thousands of young people these days.
So the choice is 4 years of living in NYC- which on top of all the weather conditions is VERY expensive, or 4 years in the warm sunshine at USC ,getting a great education, with the knowledge that the Trojan network will help you in the job search.
@CaliDad2020, thanks for the input on holidays and housing. Regarding housing, totally agree that if S goes with USC, we will have to find the funds for the McCarthy Honors dorm. Very kind of you to host students stuck in SoCal for Thanksgiving. We actually have family and close friends in L.A. so it wouldn’t be a problem for our S, only the $$$ for us to fly out to California! That’s really nice to know though that other students would have some good options for Thanksgiving in SoCal. Hoping S will make a decision before tax day :-).
@cheekychapstick, I am going to go contrarian here. I think the finance degree in NYU may be slightly more preferable for you for a few reasons. First, like you mention, NYU is well connected with Wall Street for internships and jobs after graduation. Second, you would be closer to the UK for family visits during your four years (much shorter flight than from the West Coast). Third, you could always move to the west coast after getting a few years of work experience under your belt.
On the other hand, NYU is even more urban than USC, virtually no campus feel like GW in D.C. Plus no school spirit for college sports but there’s many pro sports and activities to keep busy with in Manhattan. Two very different quality of life choices, both are great schools. USC has the edge in USNWR ranking, but not a big difference, and as mentioned, each school likely has more weight in their geographic areas for business. Not to say if you are a high achieving student that you won’t be able to branch out to the West Coast or vice versa.
@cheekychapstick Go to wikipedia and look up Trojan Alumni in business. That will answer your question. Their Alumni network is as strong as NYU’s any day of the week.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_University_of_Southern_California_people#Business
@netopspin you’re welcome
@cheekychapstick My daughters had three friends attend NYU and all three transferred away… despite it being their dream school scenario. The reason in all three cases… cost, especially for room/board beyond year one. If cost is not an issue though, I would recommend NYU over USC if it is also your intention to remain and work in the northeast after graduation. If you are open to living and working anywhere else after graduation, I would recommend USC instead.
Aside from geographical considerations, the two universities are also not very similar at all. USC offers the overall traditional college experience & a wealth of activities and opportunities simply unavailable at NYU. NYU is simply far from the normal college experience. NYU is purely urban and a little strange if you perceive college in any form of traditional college campus and college activities perspective. NYU is just not like that at all. Its buildings are spread out among many blocks of NYC. There are no quads or traditional campus boundaries or the full spectrum of college athletics and normal activities. Unless you have been to NYC many times and are fully committed to that unique lifestyle, it is hard to recommend NYU or even Columbia to outsiders who may not truly realize what they are getting themselves into. My girls also only know of two people that went to Columbia. They both transferred away too. It simply takes a certain mindset to thrive there in NYC.
Good luck with your decision…
Honestly, this forum is a godsend. I’ve never seen such strong arguments for both schools put forward so concisely.
I see myself as someone who fits @WWWard’s description of one who “doesn’t have the NY mindset.” I just like sunlight; analyzing facts, figures, and concepts (referring to economics and finance); community and spirit. I don’t know if the urban, fast-walking, coat-clad NYU lifestyle is right for me.
However, appealing to change to/minor in NYU finance does seem, as many have said, a potentially beneficial choice.
The NYU/USC dilemma is a good problem to have but a hard one to solve and I’m very grateful for the help so far. Any additional info would be equally appreciated!
@menloparkmom,
It is called “University Scholarship” and it’s $3,750/year.
@green26knight If the question is whether the “University Scholarship” renews I can confirm my kid’s does, and I believe it said so on the paperwork, but you should (and can easily) confirm with USC whether that is guaranteed.
Another financial aid question. The FA is ok, doable first year. So we are happy with that.
This week, D got a viterbi scholarship for a good amount. This does not show up on our FA sheet. My question is will the viterbi scholarship be added on top the fa or will it replace some of the grant money offered in the original FA?
Thanks @CaliDad2020. And congratulations to your son (and your wallet) on the additional scholarship.
My question is whether my son keeps the University Scholarship after the NMF/Presidential scholarship is on his statement.