Help! Can't Decide - USC vs UCLA vs UCSD

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Okay, I've narrowed down my search to these 3 schools. I'm a chemistry major, but thinking about changing it to maybe biochem or neuroscience, and possibly minoring in history. I also really want to do study abroad, possibly in Scandinavia/England/Scotland/Ireland/France (?)/Italy. I love them all; I just can't decide! :)</p>

<p>For UCLA, I went to their College Honors Day, since I qualify for their honors program. I really liked the area, the selection of majors and minors, the beauty of the campus, and the emphasis on research. I didn't like how there was music blaring outside in the plazas, music blaring in the dorms, the massive hoards of people walking down the Bruin walk, and the hilly campus where I really can't ride a bike. When I sat in a class there, I felt like I was just a number. The HUGE lecture hall was overflowing, with people sitting in the hall just to hear the professor. Although I haven't actually been in a TA session, I heard that there are a lot who attend and have a hard time getting questions in. I really don't want to fight over 30 other people just to ask a question to a TA. Though I've heard that UCLA has excellent programs in premed/ physical science, I guess I falied to see WHY. I didn't care too much for the dorms, with the loud music, and how cramped the triples were. I DID like their study abroad program though. That was one of the biggest pluses for me; their program is awesome. To be honest, I had a hard time finding a whole lot of good things about UCLA, though I looked; I really did.</p>

<p>For USC, I went to the explore USC day, and I was accepted to their Thematic Option and Freshman Science Honors. I really liked the amazing school spirit, the easily accessible professors, the poplulated, but not crowded FLAT campus where I can easily ride a bike, and the emphasis on research. Although I had heard that the area around USC is horrid, we drove around, and, honestly, it wasn't bad at all. I think it's probably because USC owns so much of the surrounding area that they keep it looking nice. A neuroscientist came and spoke to us, and the light seemingly broke in upon me, as I realized that is exactly what I want to do. He was funny, engaging, practical, and, most of all, brilliant. He showed us some of the research they are currently doing to help solve real life problems, for example: curing addiction. When we were eating lunch, the director was asking us who is in Student Govt, who likes sports, and then who is in the marching band at their school. Immediately after that last one, the marching band came in and started playing. It was awesome. Later, I snuck into some dorm buikdings and took a peek at some dorms. The doubles seemed pretty spacious; I was pretty surprised. Most people get doubles, not triples, so that was pretty cool. I still wanted more info about their study abroad and the TO and FSH programs, though. </p>

<p>For UCSD, I visited there some months ago, and I may go there again this Saturday. It seemed like a nice campus with great research opportunities. I had heard that the student body is kind of dull, though I don't know if that is true. I got into Revelle college, and i think I would enjoy the GE reqs. Like UCLA, I'd heard that they have a good Biochem program, but again I falied to see WHY. I sat in a class there, and it was just like UCLA, overcrowed and dull. I actually don't know enough about UCSD to say a lot of what is good or bad.</p>

<p>So, as you could probably tell, I am leaning towards USC, because people at the UCs didn't really answer my question as to how there programs are so wonderful. For now, the drawbacks seem much greater than at USC. Can someone please help me and clue me in on some things I missed?? Thanks!</p>

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<p>bump!! anyone?!!!</p>

3

<p>you're the first person that i've seen in a while that had the same exact choice in schools that i did...i've seen lots of USC vs. UCLA or USC vs. UCSD, but not all at once, and this was the decision that i agonized over, so much so that i didn't sent in my decision until the Sunday that they were due!</p>

<p>i chose USC. i'm in engineering, so each school was essentially on the same level. people can bicker over marginal differences in this ranking or that, but the difference really was negligible. what appealed to me was the fact that USC students, unlike those that i saw at UCLA or UCSD, were overwhelmingly well rounded people...compared to engineering students (arguably the most "niche" student type) at the UCs, USC students were much more outgoing and interested in doing things other than staying in their dorms. this was also really reflective of how you described that neuroscientist. every professor i've encountered and taken classes with, and especially for me in engineering, was surprisingly amicable, kind, and as expected, brilliant.</p>

<p>as far as minoring, again quite in stark contrast to the UCs, USC actively promotes the pursuit of a minor. as an example, the Renaissance Scholar program awards numerous grad school scholarships to students who excelled in two disparate fields of study, whether by minor or double major. even as an EE, i plan on minoring in music recording.</p>

<p>and perhaps one important thing that i'm almost sure the UCs don't have is mandatory student advisement for your entire undergrad career. before you're allowed to register for classes for the coming semester, you have to meet with your school (and later departmental) adviser to work out which classes you should take. as a freshman registering for classes, my meetings were often 15 or more minutes (which is more than enough), and they only get more in depth as you go along. at least in engineering, walk-in advising is usually available every week...actually, just this week i used walk-in advising times to get my adviser to give me a scholarship recommendation.</p>

<p>and add to the academic attention and rigor you get at USC, the student life is amazing. if you want, there are opportunities for it to be exciting (by going to parties, clubs, other kinds of soirees), and if you don't want to it's always easy enough to find people who just want to relax.</p>

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<p>wow! Thanks for the advice, phobos! I know the Honors program at UCLA does include advising, though not mandatory, but I felt that USC seems so much more personal and caring about developing my interests. I'm really looking into minoring in some really different field of study from my natural science major (whatever that may end up being). Can anyone tell me the benefits of the UCs and why their programs are supposedly so good?</p>

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<p>bumpy bump</p>

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<p>UCSD has a lot of medical companies all around san diego which is really good for internships if u want to go into biochem.</p>

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<p>can anyone attest to the strength (or lack of) in the science depts at UCLA/UCSD/USC? I really want to know if and why the UCs are surrposedly so strong in the sciences and USC supposedly is not so much. I would greatly appreciate it if someone can uphold or reject this claim. This is probably the major concern for me right now. I want a strong academic program in the natural sciences.</p>

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<p>UCs have a long history of investment and emphasis in science research. UCLA is all around good science school, while UCSD gains its major fame from bio-sciences, which benefit from the closeness to Scripps and Salk. However, these shouldn't have huge impact on your undergraduate study, because most of resources there are for graduate program and faculty research.</p>

<p>USC science is catching up quickly by investing in its LAS and promoting academic research excellence. IMO, the average quality of faculty at 3 schools are roughly the same, which means you will get taught and exposed to the similar level of materials. Considering the personal attention and research opportunities for undergrads, USC can be quite attractive to some science students. Most of BAC/MD students enroll at LAS and they are all Ivy caliber students. Every year many students from LAS get placed into top graduate schools for their Ph.Ds. I don't think you need to worry about education quality at USC, at least compared with UCLA/UCSD. If you are driven, motivated about what you want to do, you will succeed at any school.</p>

<p>If you still consider changing majors, USC can give you great flexibility. </p>

<p>I am the one always saying the science departments are the weakness of USC. This is true mainly due to the stark contrast with its professional schools, which are mostly top 10 ~ 20 in the country. Part of the reason LAS are lower ranked than UCLA/UCSD is the small size of faculty at each of its department. And this probably won't change any time soon. It may take another 10~20 years, but I definitely see great potential here.</p>

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<p>Congrats on getting into all three!</p>

<p>Don't let the music blaring really get to you. I mean, after all, people do like to have fun once in a while! After you get past your intro courses, there are tons of opportunities to take small, personal classes at UCLA. Both USC and UCLA actually are fairly similar in their class sizes to an extent, but I suppose you got to see how big a UCLA class can get! Don't worry, most aren't that way.</p>

<p>For study abroad, UCs are a superb choice. This is one thing that I think that UCs have over most privates! EAP (Education Abroad Program) is awesomely great! It offers you the chance to study almost anywhere at the same price that you'd pay to go to a UC! Not only that, you get full support from the UC and your home university. </p>

<p>Don't let my ebullient post fool you into believing that I have a negative opinion of USC. I don't. I just am not a USC alum, so I can't offer you a valid opinion. I'll let the Trojans do their best (worst? :p)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Since you got into the honors programs at both USC and UCLA, you'll get a world class education wherever you go.</p>

<p>UCSD is particularly strong in bio/biochem/biomed engineering, due to the very large bio industry in SD, but I wouldn't think it was quite the caliber of UCLA/USC in most other respects.</p>

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<p>"UCSD is particularly strong in bio/biochem/biomed engineering, due to the very large bio industry in SD, but I wouldn't think it was quite the caliber of UCLA/USC in most other respects."</p>

<p>USC is no where near as well rounded across the entire academic sprecturm as UCLA. I actually feel USC is the least well rounded institution of these three. Its departmental strenghts are in the professional and arts fields, such as Film, Communications, Business, and also Engineering. It severely lacks solid departments in the sciences. It also lacks well ranked departments in the social sciences. UCSD on the other hand is very strong departments are in the sciences and some social sciences. These include Neurosciences, Biology (pre-med), Engineering, Political Science, and Econ. UCSD lacks high ranking departments in the humanities area. Neither of these two universities is strong across near as large an area as UCLA. And I am talking about departments, not sub areas of specific departments. Anyone can find random breakdowns in specific fields that USC or UCSD is good in. Im talking about departments. And UCLA has stronger departments across a much broader field than UCSD or USC. Period. I find it funny how the poster from USC above tried to lump USC with UCLA and say it was stronger across the board than UCSD. Hillarious. That is a ridiculous statement. USC is very very good at its strengths, but is lacking across the board. Saying it is better than USC is most other aspects is simply not true. And lumping it with UCLA in that matter is funny. UCSD is the same way as USC in the sense that it is very very good in its strong departments that its known for, but is not nearly as strong across the board as UCLA. I know this is something that both UCSD and USC are working on the become more well rounded universities, but neither is nearly as strong across the academic spectrum as UCLA. Im not saying neither has their random strong department in an broad area of study that they are not supposed to be strong in. But across the board UCLA is much stronger across a larger spectrum. Period. I dont know how someone could lump USC with UCLA in that regard and act like its education is somehow more "world class" than UCSD's across the board. Hillarious. USC is the least well rounded university across the whole academic spectrum out of these three.</p>

<p>"I'm a chemistry major, but thinking about changing it to maybe biochem or neuroscience"</p>

<p>If this guy is thinking about majoring in Chem and possibly changing it to Bio Chem or Neuroscience, how on earth could anyone tell him in good faith to be choosing USC over UCLA or UCSD. Come on. Neuroscience at UCSD is i believe the number one ranked program in the country and UCLA is also somewhat strong in this area. Chem and Bio Chem are also ranked much higher at UCLA/UCSD than at USC. USC is lower ranked than UCSD/UCLA in all of these areas the poster is interested in. I understand USC has its benefits, such as smaller classes. And this should be noted. But lets be realistic about these schools.</p>

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<p>Thanx for all your help! I was wondering, when ranking a specific school in a department, what are the criteria they are grading it with? What really makes the neuroscience department strong at UCSD? Thanks!</p>

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<p>I'm going to have to somewhat depart from ucchris on this.</p>

<p>It's not the ranking of the department that matters. Most rankings are based on research and placement of grads. That's a somewhat meaningless metric to the average undergrad, who just wants to learn the basics. Look at how much better LACs are, on a per capita basis, at placing their undergrads in top grad programs. It sure isn't because of their great research! It's because their teaching is generally excellent.</p>

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<p>Personally, I would go to UCLA. If you have in-state tuition, and the fact that you will have a great college experience there is unbeatable. UCSD has a slight edge academically, but with everything considered I would go to UCLA.</p>

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<p>Tennisplayer, </p>

<p>The department ranking is mainly based on the research productivity, and graduate placement (did UCLAri say the same think?). It has little (not nothing) to do with undergraduate educational quality. This is what I know as a graduate student. UCSD's neuroscience is one of the top 5 in the nation because it gets so many researchers working in that area, not just from UCSD, but Scripps and Salk. However its PhD graduates can not compete with Harvard, Berkeley, Stanford and UCSF etc. And that's saying something. The great fame of UCSD bio-sciences came from a bunch of Nobel laureates during last 2~3 decades. But if you look into it, you will find they are all from their Medical school, Salk institute, Scripps etc, except for one or two from their departments. And those great faculty will not teach even graduate students.</p>

<p>Chris,</p>

<p>"Well-rounded university", that is a novel concept. I guess most of huge public schools are more well-rounded than small elite privates. How does that make sense to high school seniors choosing a college?</p>

<p>Mike,</p>

<p>"UCSD has a slight edge academically". That is something really great you discovered. Even UCSD people won't agree with it:)</p>

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<p>While UCSD holds the edge in bio, UCLA and USC honors programs are going to be overall "superior" to UCSD offerings (as best that word can apply to subjective criteria). That is all.</p>

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<p>My point that UCSD has the edge academically was with REGARDS to the OP choice of majors. UCSD is a TOP 3 in neuroscience and has the edge on UCLA/USC in terms of life sciences fields. Yes, this also takes into consideration the proximity of the salk, scripps, burnham, etc because it ALLOWS students there to get top research experience from leaders in the field. When it comes to top graduate schools, it's a small field and people know who the top people in their fields are. An excellent letter of recommendation from a top PI who knows you well and can atest to your abilities holds disproportionate weight in getting you into top programs. At the end of the day, it all comes down to you but the opportunities are greater at UCSD.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
While UCSD holds the edge in bio, UCLA and USC honors programs are going to be overall "superior" to UCSD offerings (as best that word can apply to subjective criteria). That is all.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>With regards to honors programs, the main advantage is the smaller size of the courses being capped and being with more ambitious students in general. I wouldn't say superior would be the word I use to describe it, but different, more LAC like in teaching with the reduced # of students.</p>

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<p>Where are you getting off putting USC with UCLA academically, especially in the sciences. Are you kidding? Do some research. USC is not academically on par with UCLA, especially in the sciences. Stop listing it with UCLA. I just find it funny that USC people are trying to explain why attending USC is somehow a good choice over UCSD is neuroscience. The very idea of this, honors or not, is just incorrect. And saying that a USC honors program is going to offer a 'superior' education is very subjective. Maybe superior in the sense of its easier to get good grades. Not in an educational sense, especially not in neuroscience. Describing something because it has smaller classes as 'superior' is not just subjective but also in my opinion ignorant, especially in the sciences. You also stated that USC would be better than UCSD is most others areas other than sciences. That is far from the truth. You are implying USC is more well rounded across a broader academic spectrum (by stating it is better is most other areas). Then i refute that and you state that UCSD only has better academic programs across a broader academic spectrum because it is a large public school. If you agree, then why were you stating before that USC is better in most other areas. That cannot be backed up by fact because it is false. USC is not exactly highly regarded academically, especially not in the sciences. And not even close to UCLA in terms of academics. So stop listing it with UCLA. If you love USC, great. But be realistic in your assesment of it, especially academically and in the science or neuroscience areas of study.</p>

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<p>ucchris,</p>

<p>Is it really important for undergrads to be taught by superior academics? After all, one could argue (quite well, I'd say) that Brown, Dartmouth, and tons of LACs would provide a superior education despite their lack of research credential.</p>