<p>My family efc is 0, which probably means that both Berkeley and USC will be providing me near full scholarships. I will definitely be living on campus</p>
<p>I visited USC for 5 hours last Friday after a three day visit to Berkeley. </p>
<p>I have tons of friends in Berkeley who showed me around, took me out to eat, and introduced me to a bunch of super nice people. Everybody I have met in Berkeley is super friendly and helpful. A group of students stayed with me till 2 AM, basically persuading me to attend Berkeley for its Industrial Engineering and Operations Research program. The only thing that I did not like about Berkeley is the professors. They have so many student and it seems like they do not care about their undergrads at all. Unlike professors from other UCs, these professors' attitude and motivation were extremely poor, at least in my opinion. I am sure Berkeley has every type of students and staff members. However, I felt good at Berkeley, I felt like I belonged there with all the other Asian kids. I didn't dare to approach the athletes because they seemed intimidating.</p>
<p>Now when I visited USC, BY MYSELF!!! :'(, I also fell in love with the campus. I felt inferior because the majority of the student body is white and A&F beautiful. As a short and skinny Asian, I was scared to look at people in the face. I love the SoCal weather and the alumni Trojan thing that they have going on. If USC is such a wonderful school, why is its ranking so low compared to other universities? I am really searching for a place where I can fit in and get a more personalized and individualized education, which is something Berkeley cannot provide. I do not even know if USC has Operations Research. Something about USC just stood out to me. Unfortunately, I am admitted for Spring 2010... Would my Cal Grant still work though? Anyways, I guess I have to get out of my comfort zone since I live in a community largely populated by Asians. In the end, I think the education part is more important. Correct me if I am wrong, but are Berkeley kids in general nicer? Nobody at USC shook my hand, even after I introduced myself...</p>
<p>I love both schools very very very much and I am extremely frustrated about choosing the right college. I live in LA county and I cannot wait to leave HS!!! I would really appreciate any opinion that you have, especially if you have visited both Cal and USC. </p>
<p>Have a nice day!</p>
<p>I have no idea where your intimidation of non-asians comes from. Considering that you’re bound to live in the real world, you might as well force yourself to step outside your comfort level.
Wait to make your decision once you know your financial aid package. Considering you live in the LA County, you may end up saving more by simply living at home and commuting to USC, assuming USC and UCB don’t end up having the same price tag when financial aid kicks in.</p>
<p>We’ll start off by taking you to the lyon center and have you start on some free weights and some bench pressing. I’ll then proceed to give you a tub of protein to take 3 times a day.</p>
<p>We will then go to the row where we will play baseball and anchor man with my frat friends (don’t worry, I’ll be on your team and I’ll be the anchor man).</p>
<p>Do this for the entire fall semester along with some major pre-gaming at the UCLA game and you’ll be a stud by spring. I guarantee it.</p>
<p>First off, your Cal grant still works. Second, let me say that I’ve never really liked Berkeley, and have always liked USC for some reason, but I’ll try to be impartial.</p>
<p>My visit to Cal was much different from yours, as I didn’t have a lot of friends to show me around. On the other hand, my Explore USC session, among other visits, to USC were very friendly and relaxing. Berkeley is the top public school, and, as a Trojan hopeful, I will have to say that Berkeley’s education is probably better than USC’s, which explains the rankings.<br>
However, there are other factors that USC has to even the playing field. USC’s network, especially in California, is unparalleled. From what I’ve heard of current and past students, its a tremendous help. As you’ve noted, USC is a private school, so its classes are much smaller, and, also from what I’ve heard, its professors are much more approachable and caring. </p>
<p>Before you decide, you should definitely try to schedule a visit with USC and request for a guide, as that would probably make your trip much more enjoyable. I’d have to admit, I do think there are a lot of white people at USC. It never really bothered me though, but there are quite a lot of Asians as well, so you shouldn’t feel intimidated by that. Decide which campus environment you like better first. Worry about the reputation later, as both are excellent schools. Good luck, hope you pick the best one for you.</p>
<p>There are a lot of Asian-oriented groups/clubs/societies at USC, hopefully that can help you settle in. (I really wish I could provide more detail, but this is one Asian who hasn’t joined any of the above clubs. Marching band FTW.)</p>
<p>If you are concerned about the attitude of the professors and student-teacher ratio, USC has lots of professors that are enthusiastic about actually teaching, and the classes are generally smaller than the UCs. Viterbi in particular has a lot of resources for students.</p>
<p>Whats wrong with white people? I’m an asian myself and I don’t have any trouble blending in with people of other races. In fact, most of my friends at school are white rather than asian (though thats not to say that I don’t have asian friends). Also, white girls are just that much more attractive to me. ;D hehe</p>
<p>If you do decide to go to USC, I’ll gladly help you out to get acquainted with people and the school (while acquainting myself). I’ll even shake your hand. :)</p>
<p>P.S. At my off campus reception 39% of the admitted students were Asian, while 38% were white. Then again this is only the accepted students and judging by last years stats many Asians opt to go to different universities. Nevertheless, there is still an abundance of Asians and remember, this is LA we’re talking about here - just about the most diverse city in the world.</p>
<p>Texas Instrument. I don’t really want to change my body size just to fit in. I never exercise and I really prefer it this way. Can you tell me more about USC though? Are you one of those “white studs” that I am so scared of?</p>
<p>I am visiting USC again on the 26th for the Spring Admit Orientation</p>
<p>Lol, “white studs”. Ahahaha, I think it would serve you well to break out of these stereotypes since, although these types do exist, many “studly” people are very friendly people. This is college and it’s the perfect opportunity to break the mold of your inhibiting tendencies in exchange for a more outgoing outlook designed to broaden your cultural views of other people (I’m starting to sound like my SAT essay and essays for English lol). </p>
<p>I’m skinny and tall, and I’m pretty sure Texas Instrument is just using sarcasm, since we all know that not all girls like buff and muscular guys. haha</p>
<p>lol Squadus, where were you when I visited on Friday?</p>
<p>I don’t know lol. I was probably at home, since I haven’t visited USC yet.</p>
<p>O dude you arnt even a student? If ure a short skinny asian like me, you’ll probably know what i am talking about.</p>
<p>Personally I think it’s silly to consider your race and height and w/e else you are considering in this decision. Wherever you go, you will find ppl with similar interests and make good friends, whether they are asian or not, and whether they are “buff” or not. Please don’t be intimidated by difference–embrace difference and learn from others and teach others about you! It’s college…one of the things I’m most excited about is meeting new ppl (im still a HS senior like you). Anyway, that’s my 2 cents…</p>
<p>So my pet peeve is the whole idea of “you’re asian, i’m asian, let’s be friends” </p>
<p>I understand some people have a comfort level but I hope that regardless of what college you go to, you are able to go outside your comfort zone and be comfortable with a diverse group of people. Just because someone is a “white stud” doesn’t mean you won’t have shared interests or learn something from each other. I hope you can use your college experience to feel more confident in your own skin. </p>
<p>On a more biased opinion, I hope you come to USC because you will get a great education (the professors care), you’ll have a much easier time changing majors/adding minors, and you’ll meet some really great people 
As a spring admit, I recommend taking some classes at a CC and getting to know USC better. I know that you can join the band in the fall even if you won’t be officially at USC until the spring. I’m sure a lot of organizations would be happy to get you involved during the fall semester.</p>
<p>I agree with sunnydaysee. Meeting non-asians and having friends from entirely different backgrounds is what makes diversity so interesting. I’m sure that if you open your arms and embrace entirely new cultures you will have a much more wonderful college experience.</p>
<p>In the end, it’s more “I’m a Trojan, you’re a Trojan…”</p>
<p>And I’m a short not-so-skinny Asian.</p>
<p>Ironically I have no problem with “I’m a Trojan, you’re a Trojan etc.”
Mainly because being at USC is something we all chose, not something predetermined like the color of our skin.</p>
<p>Are you an Asian? Me too!!! let’s be friends… hehehhehe</p>
<p>can everybody start listing their race? It is getting pretty confusing</p>
<p>Texas Instrument, that’s a great poster. I want that in my dorm room.</p>
![http://imagecache.allposters.com/images/pic/152/3745~Teamwork-Friends-Posters.jpg[/url]](http://imagecache.allposters.com/images/pic/152/3745%7ETeamwork-Friends-Posters.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
