USC / University of Texas / University of Maryland / University of Illinois

USC (assuming U So Cal) seems to be closest to what your S prefers in a school based on your other threads, especially preferring small to medium schools.

USC has good school spirit and a relatively high proportion of affluent students who show their affluence. This manifests in any number of ways but certainly in Greek life, fashion, parties/clubbing, and alcohol/drugs of choice.

The other 3 are large state schools that don’t seem to fit your S’s preferences. I agree with others that RD in these schools is a tough road, especially in competitive majors/schools that for all practical purposes fill up in EA. These schools often use RD to pick up the students that fit whatever institutional needs they have left.

Biggest school spirit is at Texas, but 90% of students are from Texas. I’m not saying those students are necessarily homogenous, but that impacts the feel/vibe of campus and the experience for an OOS student IMO.

Students at UIUC are happy, generally. Decent college town but relatively isolated, not easy to travel to if flying in. I see UMD as pretty similar overall, but closer to cities, easier to travel to.

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