<p>I have been admitted to UC Berkeley as a spring admit, but will be doing the Fall Program for Freshmen if I decide to go to Cal. I'm hoping to get a degree in business, so I would apply to Haas. I have also been accepted to USC as a business administration major at the Marshall School of Business.
Is Haas's reputation worth the risk? Does Haas actually offer a program that is that much better than USC? I have read some other threads on here that suggest that Haas is not all it's cracked up to be, despite it's higher ranking.</p>
<p>Other factors:
Cost-wise, the difference between the two schools cost-wise is significant, having gotten almost no financial aid from USC and being an in-state applicant.</p>
<p>I like both Berkeley and LA, though LA is more different than Berkeley since I have lived in the Bay Area all my life.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your help in advance.</p>
<p>I am trying to decide which school to go to in the fall; any thoughts that would sway my choice?</p>
<p>I have applied to both as a transfer applicant. I would prefer USC over Haas for many reasons, but b/c of financial reasons I would prolly go to Haas over Marshall if I get into both. </p>
<p>Prestige: Berkeley > USC
Haas has WAY better recruiting, but USC has a better/bigger network. I’m planning on living in soCal (OC or LA) so a degree from USC will be just as good. But everywhere else you go, Berkeley’s reputation is far greater. </p>
<p>Costs: Berkeley > USC
Berkeley is alot cheaper for most obviously. But I’m awaiting my financial aid package from USC to see which school would be cheaper. </p>
<p>Location: Tied
Los Angeles versus Silicon Valley. I prefer LA bc of its social scene, weather, and being in the entertainment capitol of the world. But Silicon Valley will provide alot more opportunities for business majors. Both schools are in the ghetto though…so I hear. But a 15 minute drive from USC and now your in Hollywood!</p>
<p>Academics: Berkeley > USC
No debate here. But bc of the grading curve at Haas, tt will be alot tougher to get a higher GPA over there. But at Marshall, where they eliminated the grading curve, it will be pretty easy to get a 4.0. So it might be better for you in the long run if your gonna get an MBA. High GPA from #10 Undergrad b school, or decent GPA from haas.</p>
<p>Social Life: USC > Berkeley
This one is subjective bc I love LA and I’ve never been to berkeley, but I just think LA is just a much better place to live, study, and have fun. </p>
<p>Overall: TIED
So…yea. Pretty much you’re gonna be in good shape wherever you go. If you only care about academics and getting a good job after graduating, then go to Haas. But USC’s network will almost guarantee you a job too. And LA’s social life is unbeatable. You can’t go wrong with either one.</p>
<p>I also sort of had this issue (got into Marshall for freshman year and wanted to go to Haas too). I think the ultimate question comes down to where you want to live after college. I’m not going to lie, Marshall and USC will give you more opportunities to do different classes (at 'SC, there are more classes you can take if you have a concentration in advertising, for example, whereas in Berkeley, there’s maybe like 1-2 classes on that subject). As for prestige, if you’re going to stay down in So.Cal, Marshall has more weight (when I tell people back home in LA about Haas, they don’t even know what it is). I think it’s the same for Haas in Nor.Cal vice versa. </p>
<p>Both schools will get you to where you want to go if you work hard enough and enjoy the area you want to eventually work in. Think about whether you want to work and live in LA/SF. </p>
<p>And yes, Haas’ reputation is worth the risk. A lot of banking/consulting/accounting companies come here to recruit the best. (If you’re interested in marketing, it’s harder in terms of recruiting.) If you really want to get into Haas when you choose Cal, you’ll have the activities and GPA to prove it in sophomore year. It’s not incredibly hard to get in.</p>
<p>iHateCeltics, thanks for your input. Good luck with your decision when you hear back. Being from the Bay Area, I can tell you that some of your assumptions about Cal’s location are a little off. It’s a pretty cool city and the surrounding area is not really considered “the ghetto” in my eyes. It’s also not really in the Silicon Valley; the Silicon Valley is in the south bay, while Berkeley is in the east bay. I would visit before you decide, if you’re still seriously considering Berkeley. </p>
<p>sparetire, are you a Haas student/alum? Do you know what kind of activities they are looking for in an applicant? Or is who gets in more of a toss up? I’ve heard that USC really takes care of their students in regards to job placement and hands-on teaching (they have a learning lab that puts what they’ve learned in the classroom into practice in simulations). I’m trying to figure out how Haas compares. Is Haas’ program more theoretical? Does Berkeley provide job and internship opportunities?</p>
<p>Haas grads get on average 2.2 job offers, that’s pretty good. I doubt Marshall can say the same, but you will probably be relying on their alumni network, Berkeley’s reputation will take you a long way</p>
<p>I’m a student. For applicants, they want you to be involved heavily in a few things. School shouldn’t be your life in college; they want you to list jobs, clubs, etc. Like in college admissions, they want you to be involved deeply in a few things. It’s also crucial to get an internship possibly the summer after freshman year. You also need a solid GPA (doesn’t have to be perfect but can’t be a 3.2) and good written essays. </p>
<p>Haas’s program includes opportunities for hands-on learning like case competitions. There are also events and workshops thrown by clubs and the Career Center. Haas is really great to have on your resume if you are going for recruiting/looking for a job at the career fair. (There are numerous big career fairs run by the Career Center throughout the year. The center also has a good job board.) Big companies come here to recruit.</p>