<p>There's already a thread comparing USC to UCLA and the result was unexpected at least to me. It established the fact that USC is as competitive as UCLA. Some posters even compare USC to Stanford and some elite private colleges and the reasons given were quite valid. </p>
<p>Some argue that USC is better than UCLA because it is private, but i don't think that alone is a good reason enough, though a lot of people will really argue that being private brings a lot of advantages. I now know that USC is very competitive and has even higher SAT scores and GPA (on average) than that of UCLA's, which again, to be honest it was really a big shock to me, given I don't read US News ranking and stats... furthermore, that thread was very informative because it dispels many wrong misconceptions about USC that it is for dumb rich kids and stuff and at the end USC, which a lot of people would agree, is truly a remarkable academic institution with huge funding and support by its alumni.</p>
<p>Now I want to know how USC compares to a real big time school like Berkeley. Berkeley is a world-wide known school and has so many Nobel awardees attached to it and has so many famous alumni. But like UCLA, Berkeley is public and being such has trouble with over population and mismanagement and stuff... but Berkeley is very famous and is regarded in many countries as famous as Harvard or even more famous in some countries (whether thats due to ignorance is a different topic altogether). But the general acceptance of Berkeley in many parts of the world is seen MORE famous and more prestigious than either Yale or Princeton. But then again, things might be different in US set-up and you guys, among others, are the more knowledgeable about this topic than those people who are not US born. So I would appreciate an honest to goodness comment.</p>
<p>Which is better between USC and Berkeley (in general)? </p>
<p>I think you answered your own question...each school has their own plusses and minuses.</p>
<p>Each person is going to have a different opinion as to which school is "better" for them...some people certainly are going to feel strongly one way or the other. For example, when I was in high school I visted Berkeley and I pretty much immediately knew I didn't want to go there, and I didn't even apply (didn't apply to UCLA either)</p>
<p>They are both good. You will surely get a good education at either campus. Both have good Profs, both attract good students. For me, after having visited both campuses, and knowing people at both schools, in general, the atmosphere is different. I think if YOU visit both, you WILL notice a difference and then you can decide which you like better. My son is going to USC, and loves it, and is having the time of his life. He is a freshman. He lives in the dorms and loves it. He is working on research, with a Professor, who if you knew his name, you could go a google search, and find that he is very nationally recognized. That may not be the norm for every student, which is fine. I bring it up only to tell you that at USC you CAN work as an undergrad directly with Professors. I am not saying that you can not do the same at CAL, I am only telling you something of value at USC. I prefer not to put down another school. I do believe that you would get an excellent education at either school. I do think that the atmosphere is VERY different at both schools. Without making any negative comments about CAL, I will say that USC has a very friendly relaxed atmosphere. Whichever school that you attend, be it USC, Cal, UCLA, or others, you WILL be there, day in and day out, for at least 4 years. You had better enjoy where you are.</p>
<p>Visiting the campuses, taking the tours, and talking to students is extremely important. Just go the campuses and walk around and you will have some sort of idea whether you want to be there for the next four years.</p>
<p>A strictly practical, nonacademic note about Berkeley: like many UC schools (Davis is another), it's pretty crowded right now. One of my daughter's good friends from H.S. is a freshman there and is in a "triple" dorm room which was originally configured for a double (2 closets). That's very close quarters (grin). The crowding is a reflection of the UC schools' academic success but may be one issue to consider among many. </p>
<p>Her friend does enjoy the school, just as my daughter is loving USC. As others have said, it's a matter of figuring out the right "fit" for you.</p>
<p>Each school is different, so there's really no clear answer to the question "Is USC better than/worse than Berkeley?" Personally, I chose USC because 1) they gave me a scholarship (then again so did Berkeley but it was nothing compared to USC's, but SC does cost more), 2) I liked the atmosphere better, and 3) I didn't want to deal with enormous class sizes and minimal contact between students and professors.</p>
<p>However, some people prefer UC's to USC, and it's really only a choice you can make by visiting the campuses, talking to students etc. Just remember, either school would provide you with a good education. Don't base your decision/preference on US News rankings, but instead on how the school fits with YOU. If Berkeley's atmosphere fits better with you, then go to Berkeley. If USC's atmosphere fits better with you, then go to USC. Simple as that. Good luck.</p>
<p>Hi MABUHAY: you ask "which is better", so you're looking for an opinion. </p>
<p>My dad, mom, brother, and sister went to Berkeley. Lawrence was arguably the greatest scientist that ever lived, and many Nobel winners followed him. The campus is the most beautiful in the western United States. And as you point out its reputation is global. But I'd go to USC over Cal.</p>
<p>Because USC is private they have been able to transform themselves over the past 30 years in to a truly world class institution. This is no small achievement. It's a very exciting time to be a student there. Because Cal is public they are continually challenged and altered by the political forces in California which muddles their focus and mission. </p>
<p>USC thirty years ago, in part, lived up to the clich</p>
<p>Also, usc is getting richer and richer. You already know that George lucas donated 175 million to theater department. two days ago, another man donated 35 million to electronic egineering department. more cash = better rank. usc will beat ucla next year.</p>
<p>I am the proud parent of a freshman at USC that was rejected at Berkeley, otherwise she would be there! Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with USC, but I have to laugh when I read some of this and parents and students alike try to fool themselves into believing USC is in the same league as Berkeley or UCLA. They are proven world class institutions, USC aspires to be. The only league these three schools are in are in sports.
Has USC really moved up 4 spot in the National rankings this year? They "share" 27,28,28,29,30 with 5 schools! Be real now.
USC is a great school for what it is, a world class institution on the same level as Berkeley it's not.
PS I have no affiliation with Berkeley or the UC's. I just can't keep drinking the koolaid.
Mabuhay, I highly recommend you make your own decisions and good luck with them.</p>
<p>dammit sam, do you know how long it took to push this thread down? ;) pretty soon it'll look a lot like that other usc vs. berkeley thread that did NOT turn out pretty.</p>
<p>You're lucky she was rejected then. Since you have no affiliation with Cal then you may not know that the undergraduate educational experience at Cal is far different than the graduate/doctorate work that produces the Nobel's, books and research, that gives Cal its world class reputation that you are referring to. And far different than when my family attended. Did you think the 20 Nobel Laureates (Cals claim to fame) starting with Ernest Lawrence actually went to Cal as undergraduates? Try none. And surprise, surprise where did the majority go to college when they were 18, they went to private colleges similar to USC, starting with Ernest going to St. Olaf and finishing with the guys currently on staff who attended Yale and a few other east coast schools. Watch Cal football commercials and youll see the Nobels flash across the screen, watch USC and other private college commercials and youll see their undergraduates who have accomplished great things flash across the screen. All St. Olaf College has to do is tell applicants to watch Cal football commercials to see an example of how well they educate undergraduates.</p>
<p>Maybe if these Nobel winners were in a class with 50 students teaching Cal would have something to brag to undergraduates about. Reality: A TA with a power point slide presentation in an auditorium of 400 students delivers the Nobel lecture.</p>
<p>Whats laughable is you think that since Cals hard to get in to and that it advertises Ernest Lawrences and his legacy of Nobels that it must be a great place to learn as an undergraduate. You shouldn't be laughing you should be crying if youre a California tax-payer paying for Cals so called world class undergraduate program. Cal no longer teaches students to be passionate and innovative learners. Its attracted (concentrated) the wrong student body to be able to do that. Because of its state law mandates it enrolls the highest SAT/GPA California only students and because of the latest version of affirmative action law it also has to enroll the top percentile students from every high school in the state. This has resulted in a student body of over 50% backroom bean counters aka test-takers who are not creative learners and about 12% of mediocre students who shouldnt be there. This leaves only 38% of dynamic and diverse thinking smart students. Thats a messed-up undergraduate program. MIT is currently struggling with the test-taker non-innovative undergraduates theyve attracted as well. They and Cal have a very similar problem right now. There are 50 to 100 schools I advise a student to for undergraduate study before Cal.</p>
<p>These are all facts. What facts do you base your laughable comment on, the Cal advertisement of an undergraduate from St. Olaf?</p>
<p>Drinking the kool-aid is appropriate when an organization truly builds a program that provides or attracts an environment, tools, teachers, and student body that make learning exciting and innovative. Undergraduate programs are one of the most important and vital institutions for our society so singing the praises of groups that do it right is very appropriate.</p>
<p>
[quote]
A strictly practical, nonacademic note about Berkeley: like many UC schools (Davis is another), it's pretty crowded right now. One of my daughter's good friends from H.S. is a freshman there and is in a "triple" dorm room which was originally configured for a double (2 closets). That's very close quarters (grin). The crowding is a reflection of the UC schools' academic success but may be one issue to consider among many.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I have a friend who turned down a full academic scholarship to USC, and one particular mention he made (not relating to his rejection of the scholarship) was that USC dorms were smaller than Cal's. Go figure.</p>
<p>
[quote]
i think usc is safer, in the sense that they have security around the perimeter of the campus, as compare to the openess of berkely.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Statistically, Central LA is still worse than Berkeley (which has had a decline in crime for 5 years now), and the campuses per se are usually safe regardless. But once you get off campus, the situation is definitely worse at USC than here, but not like that's a good thing...</p>
<p>
[quote]
Reality: A TA with a power point slide presentation in an auditorium of 400 students delivers the Nobel lecture.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You are insane. Except for the most basic classes, almost all lectures are led by the professors. Stop the facetious banter.</p>
<p>i rejected penn, brown, nyu (with a half scholarship), wellesley (with a third scholarship), rice, berkeley (alumni scholarship) and ucla to go to usc</p>
<ul>
<li>honors programs are comparable. you won't get such small classes at berk.</li>
<li>scholarships are AMAZINGLY competitive. i got a full tuition scholarship.</li>
<li>connections are everything. everyone you ever meet from usc will help you.</li>
<li>location is beautiful, and it gives you the opportunity to help out so much in the community. </li>
<li>football. </li>
<li>the social scene.</li>
</ul>