international student: UCLA or USC electrical engineering

<p>I currently live in California, but I still had to apply as an international student because I am still in the process of getting green card.</p>

<p>Fortunately, I have been accepted to both UCLA and USC as an electrical engineering major. I know that many of my friends who got into both schools choose UCLA because it's much cheaper for them. However, I believe, for me, tuition is about same for both schools.</p>

<p>However, many things are still in my way in choosing which school.</p>

<p>My questions are
1) Which school is better for my major?--I've been hearing a lot of school "ranking" but I realized that different websites provide different rankings.
2) Which school is easier to graduate?--I heard that UC's class size is way too big compared to USC and sometimes some students cant take all the classes they need, and thus graduate later than they originally planned. In my case, I am thinking of even taking summer classes to graduate earlier.
3) Is it possible to transfer to better school, like Berkeley or CMU? How many years after can I transfer?
4) Which school would be more helpful for me to get into good grad school, like MIT or Stanford?
5) Which school would provide more resources, like connections, internship, etc?--Many people who likes USC over UCLA because it's a private school. However, both schools are in LA, surrounded by big companies/firms, such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. From which school, do companies/industries prefer, while assuming that I get good grades.
6) Which school environment/surrounding/student life is better?--I am very excited for college, and yet very worried. Since both school is fairly large, compared to smaller privates. I am thinking of joining marching band (luckily, both school have it),and most likely sorority. What other activities do you recommend that would allow me to truly enjoy college life?</p>

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Neither is better, because both are great! :)</p>

<p>

Neither school will be “easy” to graduate from as an electrical engineering major, but at UCLA you will have more flexibility to attend classes in the summer quarter, which might help you graduate earlier. My son did this one summer so that he could fit marching band into his schedule the next year.</p>

<p>

Anything is possible, but it would greatly depend on your grades rather than which undergrad school you are transferring from. </p>

<p>

Again, your grades are the strongest indicator of where you will get into grad school. UCLA and USC have excellent engineering grad schools, by the way.</p>

<p>

The UCLA engineering job fairs attract ALL the major employers. UCLA has a lot of local engineering alumni to provide connections as well. People network just as much from public schools as as private schools.</p>

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<p>Since you currently live in California, you should take a look at the schools themselves to see how you like the surrounding areas and student life. Walk around campus and see how happy the students are. Both have sororities, both have marching bands. UCLA’s marching band was a totally awesome experience for my son, there are lots of engineering majors who are members, and it’s a great way to make friends. :)</p>