I Need Help Deciding Between UCB, USC, and UCI CHP

College Search & Selection
1

Hi, I’m a senior, and I’ve gotten into three great schools with three great programs.
I’m currently planning on double majoring in political science and international relations.
As of now, my choices are UC Berkeley, USC, and UCI CHP (honors program).
I also plan on attending grad school afterwards.

I am well aware that USC will provide me with great connections after graduation, but I know and heard that Berkeley has a better political science system. For USC, I’m actually getting most of my tuition paid off, so I only have to pay around $8500. For Cal, I have to pay somewhere around $7800. Although UCI is not as prestigious as the other two schools mentioned before, I was accepted into their Honors Program. Through this program, I’m able to register for classes first and also receive prioritized housing for the next four years. I’ve also heard that UCI’s CHP students are more likely to have access to internships and research available in and out of school. Also, since UCI isn’t as competitive as the other two, I feel as if I’ll be able to thrive or shine better there, and currently, UCI is providing me with the most amount of aid.

Also, do graduate schools place importance to the prestige of the undergrad school, or are they more focused on activities and the GPA of a student?

All these schools are great, and I’m having a hard time choosing between them. Please help me! Any feedback is welcomed and appreciated! Thank you.

2

Can’t offer much in the way of advice, but great choices - congratulations!

For it’s worth, obviously both Cal and USC have great reputations . . . but if you develop a close relationship with a prof in your field at UCI and he or she is willing to advocate on your behalf, that may end up being worth significantly more than reputation when it comes time to apply to grad school.

3

I feel like involving myself in research and such with the professors will ultimately help me later when I apply for grad school. Thank you so much for you input!

4

It actually sounds like you’ve already decided . . . and just need to find a way to justify it to friends and family. :slight_smile:

If you haven’t already visited, I’d strongly recommend that you do so - you should talk to current students and make sure that UCI’s honors program is as good as you’ve heard.