Comparison Viterbi vs UCB (CLS) for CompSci.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>Title gets most of the story. Couple specific questions, especially with classes. (Sorry for the double post in both forums, but that's the best way to get results.)</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Is it easy to take major classes early on or even get classes at both schools? (I'd be interested about recent experience with GE's as well.)</p></li>
<li><p>How big are the CS major classes from your experience? (Both schools). At UCB how do the standard CS classes compare to EECS which seems to have the perception of being more difficult, being in the college on engineering.)</p></li>
<li><p>Recruiting. Anything of particular interest for one school over another? I know UCB has the proximity to silicon valley, but do Viterbi students find that this might be a disadvantage at all? I mean both Apple and Google have quite large southern california campuses, with Apple's Final Cut Studio team centered in Santa Monica. (Read below).</p></li>
<li><p>Is either program more of less difficult to graduate in 4 years? (And I want to know about general UC problems in the area too.)</p></li>
<li><p>Is there any greater diversity of classes at on school or another? Both seem to have pretty well rounded course lists, but maybe you guys know of something neat!</p></li>
<li><p>Double majoring and minors: Is one school more open than the other? </p></li>
<li><p>Film programs: This is mainly for Berkeley because I know SCA is amazing. (Haha.) I want to minor in film, and very possibly double major.) Is there a focus towards production at UCB? I'd really like to get into production from a development side. (Hence the final cut interest)</p></li>
<li><p>Photo programs: (Other minor idea) Is there anything special about them at one school or another?</p></li>
<li><p>USC has a computer science / business administration program which works in conjunction with Marshall, though is only a single degree. Does UCB offer anything similar, possible with Haas? For USC, and if Cal does have a program, is it compatible with a minor?</p></li>
<li><p>Schedules: Any general comments and love-hate relationships with either the quarter or semester system for each school? Most people seem happy with their school's systems.</p></li>
<li><p>Finally USC: I was admitted to the spring. Any Viterbi spring admits with comments?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>So… I realize that's a lot, a obviously no one needs to answer everything. Any insights you can provide will me much appreciated! :)</p>

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<p>Anything? :)</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>You get to take engineering/comsci classes straight as a freshman, and these classes are pretty accessible I think. A lot of the interest GEs fill out fast though.</p></li>
<li><p>Class size is about 40-50 for lecture i think, and like 20-30ish for a lab with 3 TAs.</p></li>
<li><p>I read somewhere that USC has the most minor/major combos/courses in the whole country</p></li>
<li><p>The computer science/business is actually a coordinated dual degree. Basically you give up some electives but I dont mind cuz Ive always wanted to specialize rather than explore new fields. The only program I know of thats kind of like that is Penn’s jerome fisher m&t</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Generally I think USC will keep improving, especially as we get richer lol
The UC public system is still dying</p>

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<p>Viterbi… sadly, the UC system isn’t what it used to be. D didn’t even apply to the UC system even though her father and I have three UCLA/UCB degrees between us, as do many other family members. It is much harder to graduate from Cal in four years than USC.</p>

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<p>PhotoMac,</p>

<p>I’m currently a senior at USC majoring in Civil Engineering, and here’s what I’ve found to be true at SC:</p>

<p>1) VERY easy to take major classes early on - first semester you’ll already be enrolled in a computer science (or whatever engineering discipline you decide to pursue) course</p>

<p>2) I can’t say how big the CS classes are specifically, but from what my friends have told me they sound comparable to my classes in civil engineering. I’d say I have anywhere from 30 to 40 students in any given class.</p>

<p>3) Again, I can’t answer this specifically for CS. However, USC’s in LA and there are hundreds of companies to work for in any field. Through my own job hunt on the SConnect site where employers advertise open positions to SC students I’ve noticed an insane amount of software engineering/computer science jobs. Northern California is no doubt where a lot of work is being done, but there seems to be quite a few companies doing work here in LA as well.</p>

<p>4) You’ll graduate in 4 years. You’ll get every class you need to graduate, and be able to complete these units without a problem unless you do something personally to prevent yourself from completing required units such as participating in 2 co-ops or taking on another major (although I do know of a couple students who have completed 2 majors in 4 years, one of which was engineering)</p>

<p>5) I don’t have enough knowledge of UCB to make a comparison.</p>

<p>6) Pursuing another major or a minor is very common! Talk to your advisor right away if you want to do either, and they’ll lay out a course plan for you. Here’s some more information: [USC</a> - Viterbi School of Engineering - Pursuing a Minor](<a href=“http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/minors/steps.htm]USC”>http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/minors/steps.htm)</p>

<p>9) Since this is a single degree, you can pursue another minor but be sure to talk with your advisor about this right away like I explained above.</p>

<p>10) I only know the semester system, but I like the fact that we aren’t always taking finals. I can’t imagine having 3 rounds of finals every year!</p>

<p>11) Don’t think that just because you’re a spring admit you won’t be able to live in the residential halls! A few of my friends in my dorm freshman year weren’t admitted until spring and they were still able to have a true “freshman experience”</p>

<p>Hope this gives you some insight into my experience at SC…if you have any other questions feel free to send me an email at <a href=“mailto:vstudent@usc.edu”>vstudent@usc.edu</a>!</p>

<p>Good luck with your decisions,
Lisa V.</p>