<p>so i got into berkeley and usc(arts and sciences) undergrad, both undecided major, and I am having a tough time deciding where to go. I don't know what I want to major in yet, but I eventually plan on going to business or law school. If i went to berkeley, I would probably apply for Haas, and if i Went to usc I might transfer to Marshall school of business. Although Haas is ranked higher, USC may allow me to make more connections in southern california (especially because I plan to live in Los Angeles).</p>
<p>I got a deans scholarship (1/4 tuition) and university scholarship of 3500$/yr at USC, but usc wil still end up costing twice as much. Although it might balance out in the end because berkeley's tuition is supposedly doubling due to budget cuts, and I plan on applyfing for more dept. scholarships once at USC (which I think I should receive due to the 300 million dollars in donations they just received for scholarships). </p>
<p>I am a hard working student, but a strong social life is also very neccessary. I plan on pledging a frat no matter what school I go to (I know USC has an awesome frat row, sick football games, and plenty of girls). </p>
<p>I also realize that Berkeley is undergoing budget cuts because of the economy right now, so I might not be able to get the classes I want, which is why USC seems more appealing in that regard, as it is a private school. </p>
<p>Based on your preferences, I would definitely choose USC. It has the academics, strength in business, connections, social life, and location. However, the main issue is money. How heavily would you be in debt if you didn’t get the additional scholarships? It would be better to go to a state school if you’re going to end up with $100,000 in debt at the time of graduation.</p>
<p>I would not be in any debt if i didn’t get te additional scholarships because I am not taking out any loans, but I don’t know if paying twice the amount of money is worth it to go to SC over berkeley, even though I do like USC.</p>
<p>Also, do you know if Haas or Marshall has more prestige/pull when looking for a job in LA/ applying to grad schools?</p>
<p>putting aside the money issue and social life at both schools,</p>
<p>as far as applying to grad schools and jobs, would Haas with its better ranking and prestige or marshall with its connections be better?</p>
<p>I normally would feel that Haas is the choice, but with the UC budget cuts, I’m not so sure it will maintain its academic superiority during the next four years that I am there. Also, Berkeley is known to be very competitive, while USC is not so much, so in theory, I could maintain a higher GPA at sc which could give me an advantage when applying to grad schools. But again, the prestige of Haas cannot be ignored.</p>
<p>Berkeley has been one of the great universities of the world for many, many decades. This is not going to change within any time frame that will affect the OP’s career.
USC is good, and improving, but it has a long way to go before it will be considered an academic peer of Berkeley. With Berkeley being significantly less expensive, this seems like an easy call to me.</p>
<p>Frankly, budget cuts are overblown. Yes, tuition is likely to increase…academic quality will not decrease. Part of Haas’s prestige aura is its selectivity. That will not change.</p>
<p>I doubt tuition costs will double…even if they do though the increases will be phased in over several years.</p>
<p>Haas is not a guarantee, but has a bigger risk/reward payoff. Besides, you’ll be saving money for your grad school plans. MBA programs are super expensive.</p>
<p>MBA program admission is more about GPA, GMAT score and most importantly, work experience. Both are equally good for grad school admission. Berkeley Haas is more of a target school for elite firms.</p>