AECOM (1/2 merit scholarship) vs. USC

[Ortizc]

Hi everyone! I'm having a super difficult time deciding between the AECOM and USC. I'm from southern California and have a ton of family in LA, including my parents. However, I also have some family (sister + aunt) living in NY (Brooklyn) and really like the city in general. I'm not super excited about the on-campus housing at AECOM, or the fact that it is in the Bronx not in Manhattan or Brooklyn. However, I actually enjoyed my interview day more at AECOM than USC. I'm hoping to do neuro research at either school. I had essentially decided on USC before receiving the scholarship from AECOM but feel that I need to reconsider now. Any advice would be much appreciated!

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[imbesrs]

Took me a sec to realize AE was Albert Einstein lmao, thought it was a DO school vs USC lol.

This seems like a very "you"choice tbh. you have a support system at both places, getting money from Einstein, and have the chance to live in the city for 4 years in very cheap housing relative to the city COL.

What is the price differential? Do you hope to match back to the west coast after 4 years?

 

[Ortizc]

Took me a sec to realize AE was Albert Einstein lmao, thought it was a DO school vs USC lol.

This seems like a very "you"choice tbh. you have a support system at both places, getting money from Einstein, and have the chance to live in the city for 4 years in very cheap housing relative to the city COL.

What is the price differential? Do you hope to match back to the west coast after 4 years?

Thank you for taking the time to respond! My ultimate goal is to head back to the west coast, however not to southern California. Ideally, I would be going to the bay area. AE would certainly be cheaper for multiple reasons (scholarship + campus living would be cheaper than LA, not to mention even before the scholarship USC was going to be more expensive), as you mention. However, I'm hesitant to make this decision primarily based on finances. Another issue is AE has asked me to respond to the scholarship within two weeks which means I need to make this decision relatively soon. I wish I could go back and visit AE and talk to students there but with everything going on with COVID-19 that isn't really an option.

 

[imbesrs]

Thank you for taking the time to respond! My ultimate goal is to head back to the west coast, however not to southern California. Ideally, I would be going to the bay area. AE would certainly be cheaper for multiple reasons (scholarship + campus living would be cheaper than LA, not to mention even before the scholarship USC was going to be more expensive), as you mention. However, I'm hesitant to make this decision primarily based on finances. Another issue is AE has asked me to respond to the scholarship within two weeks which means I need to make this decision relatively soon. I wish I could go back and visit AE and talk to students there but with everything going on with COVID-19 that isn't really an option.

You could try your hand at DMing sdn people from past AE application threads who have gotten in! Personally I would do AE because of finances. AE is a great school and I think given your permanent residence in Cali you would likely be able to find a home back on the West Coast. However, there is always the chance that it doesn't happen and that's a risk you need to be comfortable with. I have a friend whos at AE and from the looks of it shes always doing something to destress (museums, picnics, just doing what the city has to offer).

Another thing to consider is NYC winters are pretty brutal compared to West Coast, and the # of sunlight hours in the winter are pretty low.

 

[deleted903608]

Thank you for taking the time to respond! My ultimate goal is to head back to the west coast, however not to southern California. Ideally, I would be going to the bay area. AE would certainly be cheaper for multiple reasons (scholarship + campus living would be cheaper than LA, not to mention even before the scholarship USC was going to be more expensive), as you mention. However, I'm hesitant to make this decision primarily based on finances. Another issue is AE has asked me to respond to the scholarship within two weeks which means I need to make this decision relatively soon. I wish I could go back and visit AE and talk to students there but with everything going on with COVID-19 that isn't really an option.

I know its not as good as a second visit to campus but I'm an Einstein M2 and you can hit me up with any questions you have about the school