Does anybody have to decide between USC and UCLA?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Just wondering. If you had before, or are doing so now, is there any reason why you are choosing/had chosen USC over UCLA? And I'm talking about...eh...legitimate reasons that can be applied for everyone. And FYI, I'm really being trying to be neutral here. As a matter of fact, I'm trying to find out why I SHOULD attend USC, hence why I'm making this thread. Anyways as I was saying...</p>

<p>For example:
1)"Because USC has a better football team" does not count as a reason; Are you going to a school just because for a football team? What if the USC football team in the past 6 years starts deteriorating and ends up as a mediocre team? How would you feel about that? More importantly, you're just watching football, you're not playing it, should this really affect like 50% of your decision? I say this is the most important one because it seems to me the only reason people want to go to USC is because in recent years, their football team has done really well. Back in 2000 and 2001, nobody would even talk about USC, and I live in LA County!</p>

<p>2)"The Trojan Family" - Not from me, but from a friend who used to go to USC (he attended USC for one year and then transferred to a community college due to financial issues and family issues): "It really doesn't matter. I go to a community college and I've made just as many connections here as I did at USC." Besides, I don't think the Trojan Family Network is mandatory in trying to get a job. In a way, this network implies that without the existence of the Trojan Family Network, a person with a USC degree wouldn't be able to get a job.</p>

<p>3)"The Trojan Spirit and all that other school spirit crap" - I'm not going to a school just for school spirit; I could get just as much spirit cheering for the New York Giants. Are you really paying $40-50,000 a year just to proudly wear USC clothes and to say "I'm from USC" ?</p>

<p>4)"USC has an amazing school for Cinema" - Uh...the majority of people are probably going to CLAS, so really these special professional schools mean jack to us.</p>

<p>5)"Because you'll see many USC people driving the beautiful cars, wearing great clothes, and all the hot people :D" - Um...first of all...I (ME!!!) am not driving THAT beautiful car, not will I be wearing those fancy clothes, and nor will I be able to obtain 500 HOT girlfriends. Enough said.</p>

<p>6)"The amazing SoCal weather." - And UCLA doesn't have this amazing SoCal weather? I believe both schools are in the same city...</p>

<p>For me anyways, the only actual legimate reasons that can be applicable to everyone to attend USC over UCLA is:</p>

<p>1)There are 16,000 undergrads as opposed to 25,000; it's obviously going to be easier to get classes and it's more likely one will graduate in 4 years as opposed to 5 years.</p>

<p>2)Smaller classes. Though I think what it should say is "Smaller classes in comparison to most large scale universities." USC has 16,000 undergrads, I really don't think you'll have super small classes like those you'll find in a small liberal arts college (and I'm talking about GEs too, not just your major classes in your 3rd and 4th year). So no doubt you'll probably have 100-200 students in your GE classes during your first year right?</p>

<p>3)Supposedly more attention from professors. I don't know how true this really is, and I don't know what it really means, but I guess it's a good thing according to most Trojans.</p>

<p>That's really all I could think of...and as for the reasons why USC is such a turn off in comparison to UCLA (once again, don't flame, I'm really neutral here)</p>

<p>1)USC is practically in the ghetto while UCLA has beautiful Westwood - I've visited both campuses myself. And yes, it does matter to me. Don't tell me going to school in the ghetto will teach you about hardships in life; I grew up in the ghetto, I'm really sick and tired of it and would like to move somewhere nice for once. USC isn't as ghetto as most people say, its actually somewhat exaggerated, but it still doesn't compare to Westwood.</p>

<p>2)Only in recent years has it become on the same level as UCLA - USC back in 2000 was nothing compared to UCLA. Seriously. Only in the past few years has it become so highly ranked. And most of it is due to the attention from their football team.</p>

<p>Anyways, that's all I can say for that. I'd like to hear your responses CC.</p>

2

<p>Good problem to have, and you are asking valid questions. The schools are close enough in most respects that it is perfectly OK to make a choice based on seemingly superficial reasons such as campus location and appearance assuming that the financial arrangements are similar for you. Your visceral reaction to USC's location suggests that you are strongly leaning towards UCLA. If I had to make that choice that would also probably be a big brownie point for UCLA. One thing to consider is whether your intended major is impacted at UCLA (assuming that you have one), and to get a better sense for the hassles associated with getting the schedule you want at UCLA. Most people say it is not a particularly big deal, as long as you are willing to accept what you get rather than what you want.</p>

3

<p>"And most of it is due to the attention from their football team."
Not true. USC has in recent years been actively courting top students [NMF's etc] with $$ scholarship money[ a la Wash U] , AND luring top professors from other universities. I'ts [unstated] slogan, which used to be "university of spoiled children" is now "university of stolen collegues". Their intention is to become the "Stanford" of S Calif. Those are the reasons for the rise in ratings.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
"And most of it is due to the attention from their football team."

[/quote]
</p>

<p>It's not true. USC football team was well known for a long time not just recently.</p>

<p>When I first started looking at CC, UCLA was D's top choice but back then I've already heard a lot of complaint from parents about UCLA. I think especially this year, with all the budget cut, I would be very worry at all the UCs. The UCs are going the way of the UMass(Jack Welch graduated there).</p>

<p>I personally think USC-UCLA are very close in terms of academics and for my daughter's major, USC gives a slight edge. Good luck with your decision.</p>

5

<p>Both schools have positive and negative things about them. Pretty much no matter where you go to college you will receive an education, especially at USC or UCLA, and all of the subjective stuff doesn't matter if you're getting a degree. </p>

<p>That being said, the negative thing that stands out to me that you mentioned above about UCLA (and all of the most popular UCs) is that it's hard to get classes and even harder to graduate in four years. USC makes sure you positive you graduate in four, and you have even more wiggle room if you want to mess around before declaring. I have a friend who went to UCSB this year and had 900 kids in her freshman psych class...which is just... wow, a lot of people. This is going on word of mouth, but there are many kids I know (some who even transferred out) who say the fact that UCLA doesn't give you much personal attention is a deal breaker. Also though, there are plenty of kids who LOVE UCLA and it probably changed their lives. There are also many who love/hate USC. </p>

<p>It really boils down to who you are. I sense though that you seem to have a bit of a sour attitude toward USC... this to me is an indication that you already know what school is the best fit for you and your needs, so trust your instincts! If you already resent the school before you even step on campus, that might not be the best way to go.</p>

6

<p>Personally, although I applied to both, I prefer USC by a mile. While some of the reasons I prefer it you listed as nonfactors, I think you're a little quick to blow them off. </p>

<p>Here are four of my reasons why I prefer USC over UCLA.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The student body- At USC, the student body was, in my experience, much more friendly, outgoing, and well-rounded...UCLA's was not like this.</p></li>
<li><p>The "school spirit" actually does contribute to a great positive atmosphere. While it may not be the most important factor in deciding what school to attend, it's more than just being proud of wearing a USC sweatshirt.</p></li>
<li><p>As mentioned before, budget cuts. USC is on the rise in terms of endowment and also national ranking and prestige. The UC system is facing some problems. </p></li>
<li><p>That smaller size makes a HUGE difference. As an underclassman at UCLA, it is very difficult to get the classes you want, and many are enormous and lecture-based.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>UCLA does have the advantage in price (especially if you're in-state, but I think USC's price tag is worth the extra $) and location, no argument there.</p>

7

<p>My son is accepted to both UCLA and USC. UCLA has the advantage of Westwood. Westwood is just lovely and there are plenty of buses to get around. You don't have to have a car at UCLA to survive but I would think you would ultimately needa a car at USC. The housing shortage at UCLA is a real concern unless you have relatives or close friends in the area to help you out. It is hard to get housing at UCLA and triples exist in dorm rooms originally built for two. These are small rooms and I can't imagine a triple in a small room especially with all of the stuff students bring. The housing situation is a big factor to consider with UCLA--will you be able to get the housing you want at UCLA? Apartments in Westwood are very expensive and the rest of West LA is also expensive too. </p>

<p>One thing we really like about USC is the tremendous flexibility of programs with minors and the desire for you to be well prepared for jobs upon graduation. Also, USC has some unique programs such as the undergrad game design within Viterbi--one of the few schools in the U.S. with that program at the undergrad level.</p>

<p>However, unless money is no object, USC is more expensive than in state at UCLA.</p>

<p>I think it sounds like you want a change of scenery to live in Westwood. But, consider impacted majors, over crowded classrooms at UCLA and the difficulties with UCLA's housing before refusing USC.</p>

8

<p>USC arch program > UCLA non-existent arch program... I didn't pick becuase of football and all that stuff, it was just thrown in</p>

9

<p>If money was no problem, I'd choose USC. </p>

<p>In my visits to each campus, USC was way more friendly, attentive, and organized. I attended an honors type presentation at UCLA in Oct, what a joke! It seemed like it was thrown together at the last minute, and really made me question going there.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, USC didn't offer me any merit money, and we don't really qualify for fin aid, so I most likely won't go there. I'm deciding between UCLA & Davis now, maybe Berkeley if I get in.</p>

10

<p>My friend was accepted at both so she is going through the same thing. However, she is waiting for the decisions from Columbia and Stanford to come out before she makes her decision. I personally like USC better but I think it comes down to your personal situation. Congrats on being accepted into two amazing schools!</p>

11

<p>Another difference between USC and UCLA is the semester vs quarter system. I've been on both and I liked the quarter system better. But if some students who like to carry on with their high school ECs, the quarter system is way too fast. In the quarter system. one has barely enough time to keep up with one's homework/test, let alone any extra time for any ECs.</p>

12

<p>ucla is 95% californians, whereas usc is the most diverse campus in america. diversity=awesome</p>

13

<p>lol just about everyone i met who visited told me they were choosing between USC and UCLA</p>

<p>i personally would also love to know more opinions since i only applied to USC and my parents are mad because i didnt apply to UCLA, since it has more of a "name"</p>

14

<p>My neighbor is a professor. Her daughter got into UCLA(2011) with merit/financial aid($12K) which makes UCLA very cheap but she did not choose UCLA. She picked UMiami(another film school).</p>

15

<p>i got into ucla but if i got into usc i'd definately be a trojan unless i get a piece of crap finaid package, which i doubt. becuz of my circumstances, my EFC is 0.</p>

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<p>I saw you've made the same thread in the UCLA forum. I can tell the type of people you will meet base on the type of responses you get from the same thread but different forum. It's really is an eye opener.</p>