<p>My son had almost the identical decision, as Cornell engineering vs. Viterbi was his final two. He has the Presidential scholarship, so the finances were on USC’s side also. He visited both, and just felt more passion for his future at USC. He ultimately reasoned that he could get into about any graduate school after doing well at USC, so why spend the almost $100k difference to go to Cornell.</p>
<p>I think he also felt he would be missing a rare college experience at USC, and being from the west coast felt he would rather tap into a west coast alumni group for his future.</p>
<p>They are both great schools, but I know my son has not had a second thought since picking USC, and is ready to pack up and head there now!</p>