<p>I'm at the University of Melbourne studying commerce & I am looking to go on exchange to California at the end of 2015 (I think Fall and Winter?) somewhere between August 2015 - July 2014. Meaning i'll have my 21st over there, WOOO!</p>
<p>I have narrowed it down to my two preferences of UCLA or USC - they just both seem pretty sweet. But i'm wondering if anyone has any insight that might sway me one way or the other. I understand that UCLA is ranked higher than USC in terms of academics (apologies if i'm wrong) but I've heard that USC is much better in terms of parties and social life (only coming from one Californian I met in Melbourne.)</p>
<p>Points that would be great to hear the pros and cons of:
-location
-academics
-parties (my friend thinks that being Australian will mean frats to let me in even though they typically don't let guys in)
-love or hate of australians
-housing</p>
<p>to be honest, partying and living situations would be the most important, i'm not going to America to sit in front of books the whole time.</p>
<p>also, just in case i should be considering other options in California, I can also apply for:
Oxy
University of California:
Berkeley
Davis
Irvine
Merced
Riverside
San Diego
Santa Barbara
Santa Cruz</p>
<p>Thanks all in advance and apologies for the long post :)</p>
<p>Both schools would be great for academics, but the area surrounding USC is very seedy and high crime. Yes, there is crime around the Westwood area of UCLA, but I believe the Westwood is more accessible for entertainment, restaurants etc…
If you are into the beach, you should consider UCSD although the social scene is nowhere near UCLA.</p>
<p>My $.02: other than Berkeley, I’d probably take most of those other UC schools off your list, unless you are wanting to study something unique to the school (say pre-vet at Davis). That’s not to say they aren’t all good schools. </p>
<p>USC vs. UCLA is age old debate here in So Cal. These days, academics are about the same. UCLA is in a nicer part of town (much nicer). USC is a nice campus, but you’re in a pretty rough part of town. Bottom line, I don’t think you could go wrong with either of them. </p>
<p>Also, if you are looking for beach and fun, I would suggest UCSB over UCSD for sure. </p>
<p>I think you’ll find plenty of partying going on at both UCLA & USC. I went to grad school at USC 20 years ago, so I’m not the best person to comment on the current state of the party scene. I still go to football games and I can tell you that USC is one big party for home games. UCLA football is big too, but their football stadium is on the other side of town. </p>
<p>Perhaps posting thread on the USC & UCLA pages would help. I totally agree that if partying and being at the beach are a priority, then consider UCSB for sure. </p>
<p>Both schools will not disappoint in the partying aspect. But USC is in a very sketchy part of town. UCLA is in upscale area near Westwood. USC has more drinking.
UCSB is near the beach and is a big party school!
UCSD has no social life. Across town and less expensive is San Diego State University-huge party school!
It doesn’t matter where you are from, as long as you aren’t obnoxious, you won’t have a problem making friends in California.</p>