I was looking at top party school lists last night. USC makes all. Obviously there’s a ton of non partiers there like every school and many top schools make these lists. I imagine being in La La land does impact the social scene - with the Beach, Santa Monica, Bev Hills, Pasadena and more not far away. So much to do.
St Louis is one of the best cities in the country. So much to do - great zoo. Big park next to school. Yes Chicago has a ton in city. But both have part of the year where kids may not venture out due to weather.
UVA would be the smaller town, lots of nature accessible but incredible campus and not horribly for from Richmond and DC. As a state school it’ll be less geographically diverse than the others.
There may also be a wealth difference at these schools - I know they’re trying to change hit but historically WUSTL had mostly filthy wealthy kids. You’d have to look at the CDS to see others.
But definitely talk to student ambassadors. Get a true sense from the kids themselves.
The way I see this - they’re all winners and any kid will finally find their people at all.
My experience at UVA was that you really had to work to keep up with your academics but people were also highly involved in lots of extracurricular activities. Some of the most brilliant and academically accomplished people I met were also captain of the ski team, president of an a cappella group, were in school plays (but not theatre majors), or volunteered in nursing homes while also the president of a drinking society.
Yes, there were folks that interpreted “play hard” as “go drink at fraternity parties”, but mostly it was interpreted as “get involved “. There was also a culture of pretending that academics were effortless. I knew a lot of people who gave the impression that they just woke up an hour before class after a late night bender and wrote an A+ 10 page paper.
After getting to know them I realized that while they did sometimes go to parties, they were more often at the library studying and they had started that paper two weeks in advance.
That is a fair comment. Personally, I wouldn’t have my kid pick one unless they have visited and if that isn’t possible, at least connect with some current students to get a sense of what it is like.
By play hard, do you mean that she wants a school with a party scene, a big city, concerts and events, or is she more into outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing? Is she the type of student that takes initiative to introduce herself to others, to join clubs and try new things? Or is she one that would rather others approach her?
I have a student who attends USC on a merit scholarship, so can give you my personal experience and perspective.
USC has a very large, extremely diverse student population. 23% of this year’s freshman class are Caucasian, 22% are Asian, 20% are Hispanic and 17% are international. USC students hold a wide range of political ideologies and come from a full spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds.
USC’s film and game design programs are the top in the nation. Marshall School of Business and Viterbi School of Engineering are consistently in the top 20. At many colleges, ranking of other schools/departments wouldn’t matter if your child was in L&S. However, at USC, students can take classes in any school. My student has taken classes in film, business and policy. She has taken very specialized classes that are far removed from her major because they sounded interesting to her. She did research with professors in both engineering and in business.
My student is not involved in Greek life. From my perspective, the Greek system at USC is about as stereotypical as you can get - big houses with lots of social activities. Approximately 25% of USC students are in Greek life. That means that 75% are not. If it is your thing, it is easy to become immersed in it. If it isn’t, you won’t feel left out.
Same holds true for the sports culture. Some go through all four years without attending a football game. There are big tailgating events on campus, but if one didn’t venture onto campus, or towards the Coliseum that day, the only thing they would notice is increased traffic on the streets.
Just making it clear. USC is not on the beach. It is not in Beverly Hills. USC is in a very urban section of Los Angeles. While the area has become gentrified over the years, there is still a lot of crime, and homelessness. The campus is beautiful, but not for everyone. I strongly recommend that your student visits before enrolling.
One last thing. Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics in 2028. The athletes will live at UCLA and the media will be housed at USC. Opening and closing ceremonies will be at both the Coliseum (adjacent to campus) and SoFi stadium. Many events will be be on campus or in the area around to campus. The Downtown Sports Park is centered around USC. It will be a fun time to be in Los Angeles.
I’m from San Diego - I looked at USC. Didn’t apply because at the time it was all fenced in (not sure if it still is).
My point was - these are all within reach…not adjacent as are fantastic activities in Chicago and St. Louis to the other schools.
Reading what OP wrote - I would think if they want bigger, USC would be the call…or alternatively WUSTL - which is much smaller and much more contained and without the sports/heavy greek mix.
I just read all their posts and there is no location listed.
I’m assuming - it’s a high need student - so that might be what’s precluded the visits.
My son called WUSTL the Dinseyland of colleges. Even walking on the path from the academic to residential side was like walking from one disney park to another.
If they are low income, it might be worth looking at the economic diversity.
USC shows they awarded need aid to 1825 out of 3664 at an average of $48959 grant but $63,884 total (so I assume loans and/or work study).
WUSTL 785 of 1808 for an average grant of $62489 and $68,359 total.
Chicago is one year older - 754 out of 2053 - getting an average of $58951 in grant and $63056 total.
UVA - 1564 of 4019. Of course, its costs are lower for the 70% or so in state. It’s grants were $29,356 and total $35,442.
That might be another consideration - if affordable, is it based on loans and/or work study which may impact the experience and financial well being after graduation? That said - it seems USC is more economically diverse with WUSTL and surprisingly Chicago, showing a wealthier slant.
In the end, nothing can guide more than a visit - but second to that. if the student sets appointments with student ambassadors - that can be really helpful. Most will be very honest.
UChicago doesn’t have an undergraduate business degree, but it does have Business Economies. However, you will be looked down on by many. That program isn’t up to the level of academics as other degrees at UChicago.
My dad took me for a visit. He wanted me to go there. We visited two schools - USC (where surprisingly with my 2.8 and 1070 SAT I’d have gotten in) and Arizona State.
I don’t remember driving up (the arena) vs. the neighborhood - I just remember the school fenced in.
I ended up at neither - although did my grad work at the latter.
My dad was a single parent - and we didn’t know about things like test prep etc.
Funny - I’ve been many times as an adult to the Coliseum and Memorial Arena right down the road from USC.
Obviously today it’s one of the leading schools and OP is fortunate to have the opportunity to attend.
