USC (Economics) vs. Penn State (Finance)

mnh5065
Fri, 03 Jun 2011 19:17:12 +0000

I am currently a Junior enrolled at Penn State as a Finance major in the Smeal College of Business. I recently received my acceptance at USC as an Economics major in the Liberal Arts program. Now, I am really in a quandary in deciding which I should choose. I am still waiting on my financial aid package from USC and I would be paying out-of-state for Penn State. But I would like to know which would be a better choice for my situation without considering financial aid. I applied to Marshall at USC but unfortunately did not take the correct prerequisite calculus course. I could reapply to Marshall once I am at USC but there is no guarantee that I will get in and they only accept applicants in the fall!

Now a little bit about me:

GPA: 3.88
I am from Los Angeles and plan on living in Southern California long-term after I graduate.
I am pursuing a career in the finance industry, specifically Investment Banking.
I plan on getting my MBA in the future.

And these are the pros and cons I have come up with:

USC pros:
-More prestigious
-Closer to home (So Cal!)
-Better alumni network
-Possibly will receive more financial aid
-I’ve always wanted to go to USC since I was a little tike.
-Just about everyone I know back home (professionally and friends) says
choosing USC is a “no-brainer.”
-I am a USC football fan at heart.
-There’s a chance I can get into Marshall if I reapply or I can minor in business
if it doesn’t work out.

USC cons:
-Most likely will have to take an extra semester or two because of the way the
my credits transferred
-I am not to excited about an Econ major and I get mixed reviews about the
perception and future career prospects with an Econ major.

Penn State pros:
-I am already in the Penn State family
-I am already in the business school with a major that I am happy with
-I have already completed nearly all my Gen Eds so I am on course to
graduate in 2 years.

Penn State cons:
-I don’t really enjoy being in the middle of nowhere in “Happy Valley”
-I hate the cold weather!
-Lack of diversity
-It’s not USC!
-I have to live in supplemental housing next year (4-8 guys in one room)

So…What should I do??? Thanks in advance.