Well the time has come to begin applying to university and I have narrowed my list down to Cornell and USC. With eleven days left until the deadline for Cornell's Early Decision, which is binding, I need to decide fast. What I'm wondering is whether or not Cornell is worth the extra $188,000 over USC because I don't have to pay tuition at USC. Cornell would put me nearly $100,000 in debt upon graduation whereas USC would leave me with a surplus of around ~$85,000, which I could put toward grad school etc... I know I want to go in to Investment Banking or Consulting and maybe even grad school further down the line once I graduate. Also from what I've heard, Cornell is an extremely difficult school, making it very hard to achieve high GPA's; in addition I would be studying Economics , something very theoretical and difficult. On the other hand at USC I would hope to attend the Leventhal School of Accounting within the Marshal School. Accounting and business is a subject I feel I would be able to grasp much easier, translating to a higher GPA. Investment Banking and Consulting both being extremely competitive fields, I hear factors such as a high GPA are very important in landing a summer intern position. Basically what I am wondering is that if I went to USC, with hard work and good grades, would I still be able to land my dream job or is it worth paying the extra money to get Cornell's name and network? I only ask this because when I talked to my uncle who worked in investment banking and now hedge funds, he said that basically the only way to break in to the industry is to attend an Ivy. Finally, keeping graduate school in mind, would a student from USC be equally competitive as Cornell? Thank you all so much.
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For the love of God, go to USC. Save an insane amount of money. Have the best time of your life surrounded by the most beautiful girls in the world. Stay ahead of almost everyone there by prioritizing school work just a little bit and get spectacular grades. Study accounting (practical) instead of economics (theoretical), and do it all in the beautiful Southern California sunshine instead of the harsh, unforgiving cold of upstate New York.
I know I'm not talking about the reputation of the schools or getting a job after college, but you want to love your college experience. That's not to say you wouldn't love Cornell, but I would give anything to be able to pull off going to USC. Unfortunately given my family's expectations of me, I'm at the most prestigious school I had the option of attending, and was never even allowed to apply to USC. I didn't think I would want to go to a place like that, and applying to schools I only valued academics and reputation with employers. Now I see the value in a place that's beautiful and fun and exciting. You can learn all that you need to learn pretty much anywhere, and USC is a really good school. It's easy to distort your perception when comparing to Ivy's, but you should try not to. At USC, you can be at or near the top of your class probably with less effort than you would put in just trying to stay afloat at Cornell. From what I hear, it sounds like a real grind.
I think USC is the better choice, especially considering you're saving $188k. That's unbelievable. And it'll be the best four years of your life. You'll be a great candidate at the top of your class coming out of USC. USC also has an incredible network and chances are, you'll make friends with kids whose parents are big players in the business world and if that doesn't provide you with fantastic opportunities, then the alumni network will. I think this is a no-brainer, but I understand the allure of an Ivy League degree. But you'll almost certainly be happier at USC, and I think it's the right call, especially considering all the money you'll save.
Best of luck.
Wait, he hasn't even applied yet.
Tys, you're only applying to USC and Cornell ED? Why?
Also, why not apply Cornell regular so you can decide between it and USC if you're accepted to both?
It sounds like you're asking the equivalent of, "I'm thinking of running for Senate or asking for an appointment as Secretary of State, which one should I take?"
My question: how do you not have to pay tuition at USC and how would you have $85k extra (does that mean you'd have $85k in cash at graduation, if you didn't spend it)?
Cornell Econ is not hard. The major is literally 8 classes and 5 are electives.
If you want IBD, Cornell is infinitely better. There, banks are coming and saying please consider us while at USC, they'll be more like, why should we want you. Kind of extreme, but a friend who transferred told me that.
Cornell.
Better on OCR for high finance (NYC based) and will help tremendously when you apply for MBA one day.
USC then IB in LA sounds pretty fucking fantastic tbh.
I went to Leventhal - it is a great program. However, you won't be recruiting for ibd jobs as an Accounting Major.. SC has a good Finance program that places at banks in LA/SF. Also, former classmates of mine are getting their MBAs at Harvard and other top schools if that is the path you want to choose.
I won't even comment on how the fun sailing and yoga classes were. And the parties/tailgates. Those girls man...
Would you be getting tuition remission? Having the option to get a free college education is an incredible opportunity. Could you transfer to Cornell after a year or two if you were unsatisfied?
Good luck with your decision.
lol i go to usc we don't want you op don't come here
Going to Cornell doesn't guarantee you shit, many things could happen where you don't want to/can't do banking anymore. You might have a hard time in school or have other career interests after a few years. You could basically end up going to a school for one reason change your mind and be out 200k.
I'd go to USC.
Cornell is probably objectively better, but the same person who would would crush it there would in all likelihood crush it at USC too.
And have a better time doing it.
How is this even a question? USC and never look back. Upstate NY is so depressing people jump from a bridge into a gorge. And I've seen the gorge. You need to be seriously depressed to sack up and take that leap.
Do banking in LA or something.
I have easily 20+ friends that went to USC and went into investment banking at top firms after undergrad. Great school, amazing football, beautiful girls, solid weather. Don't look back with that scholarship!
This is the equivalent of should I get a neck massage or shoot my self in the knee cap?
USC and anyone who says otherwise should be muted. This shouldn't even be a question, even more so because you're getting paid to go there. Join a frat and do well in school. Good game.
I disagree on USC, except if you are sure you want to remain on the West Coast. Cornell will position you for success across a much broader range of opportunities across a much broader geography.
I also believe that a school like Cornell will provide adequate financial aid, assuming you have a need; so I wouldn't count anything out based on financials until you actually have all final offers on the table.
Also, I was not particularly impressed with the campus at USC or its location in downtown LA. I don't see what everyone is raving about here.
Ultimately, if I were you, I would go to the best school academically, which is Cornell in this scenario.
If I were a high school senior, I would do anything to have an opportunity to attend USC. Throw in the full ride scholarship and I don't see how this is even a contest. You can go to USC and score a BB / Elite Boutique job in SF / LA. From there, you can apply to an M7 MBA program or see where the road takes you. Cornell is located in the most undesirable location in the US, and would provide marginally better job prospects. Perhaps I'm missing something...
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