<p>So in Socal, which school is better for jobs? USC or UCLA????</p>
<p>USC in general, just for the connections. It possibly also is dependent on major too... for instance, I know that USC has connections to EA, so if you graduate USC's game development program, you can get a job at EA almost for sure. And the starting salaries are amazing...</p>
<p>I think only Cal Berkeley would be considered prestigious. USC is overrated and UCLA is even more overrated. UCLA's students arent smart, just good test takers. Absolutely lacks intellect. USC's students are not of the same caliber as Cal, but their faculty is on par with the two hands down. Only problem is USC students I feel lack discipline and this is a huge problem.</p>
<p>Iamrecognized - how about majoring in a social science such as Economics/International Relations(I know UCLA doesn't have IR)?</p>
<p>My friend is in Berkeley, and his Macroeconomics class has 400+ students in one lecture, with over 100 still (as of two weeks ago) on waitlist. </p>
<p>Here, 100-150 are enrolled in Macroeconomics, and about 50-75 actually show up. Our professor actually knows some of our names, and where we're from, etc.</p>
<p>I attended the Marshall School 2000-2004 and have worked in investment banking and now at a hedge fund...</p>
<p>I would note that a couple things:</p>
<p>1) The reputation of the school can not completely be said to lag job placement and vice versa. In other words, I believe that the two affect each other especially in a field such as mine. At a princeton, the average student has a chance at a bulge bracket bank, while at USC, when I attended, it would be hard to achieve a boutique. Many of my bulge/larger boutique interviews were through personal connections made through either USC or internships. I believe this is no longer the exclusive case and have seen many of the kids in subsequent classes grab high finance jobs with ease.</p>
<p>2) USC's network is no joke. It exists in strength. I know this because I've been a beneficiary of it both for internships and full-time jobs. UCLA not significantly larger, but the dynamic exists at USC to take care of its own. Is this snobby private school behaviour? Who knows.</p>
<p>This all being said, both UCLA and USC are great schools... I don't think, at present, you could go wrong with either.</p>
<p>Which school's network/connections is better do you think?</p>
<p>USC is a great school with a strong student body. I would say USC and UCLA is equal in prestige terms. But outside of California, neither of the two can even compare to Berkeley. USC's success in athletic overshadows its academics. I only found out how good USC was academically when I randomly got a packet from them with an application in it back in Florida. It was funny when I was applying in high school two of the dumbest kids I know said they were going to USC... and I had to tell them there's no way in hell they were going and if they even knew that its a hard school to get into.</p>
<p>How is the network of USC in northern California as opposed to southern Calfornia? As far as this message board is concerned USC is not quite up there with UCLA and CAL as it is not listed under the top school category. Is it really worth the significant extra expense?</p>
<p>^ If you're an OOS student, USC may be a better value for you since they give better financial aid than the UCs.</p>
<p>Doesn't matter. College is a college. IMO, a "brand name" college will only get your foot in the door when you are fresh outta college. Overtime, employers will look at your experience way more than where you came from. </p>
<p>I think the "brand name" of a college is overrated. Just pick a school you think you'll do well in. </p>
<p>If you can afford it and got in, go to USC. The extra benefits are nice, but not necessary to succeed. The networking, smaller classes, professors teaching (not TA), and more personal support. If you ever have a question, professors are really easy to get a hole of. Some UC professors are way too busy focusing on their research.</p>
<p>But if you can't afford USC, don't stretch yourself. UCI and UCLA is fantastic. IMO, UCI and UCLA is the Lexus. Prestigious and reliable. USC is more like a Mercedes... it has everything the Lexus has, but does everything just a little bit better. Also might have more amenities (some you might not even use!), but a lot more expensive. Bottom line, both cars get you from one place to another. Same for UCLA/UCI and USC.</p>
<p>Yes, Lexus is very nice, but Mercedes-Benz "is" Meredes-Benz.</p>
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IMO, UCI and UCLA is the Lexus. Prestigious and reliable. USC is more like a Mercedes... it has everything the Lexus has, but does everything just a little bit better.
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<p>And a Mercedes is less reliable. They're fine if you keep 'em for a couple years (i.e. lease), but I wouldn't want a 5-year old Mercedes S-Class...
And, USC could be the gawd-awful ugly Mercedes R-class.</p>
<p>Only a USC student would put UCLA/UCI on the same level. :D</p>
<p>My daughter just had an alumni contact from an Ivy league alumni who's working for an investment banking firm which has the majority of USC graduates.
From my experience, usually private school gives a student better alumni connection because state school graduates don't really care, it's not the quality of the schools. For those who can't afford USC, the UCs are ok too. Make the best of what your budget can afford.</p>
<p>Seems like people are saying "if you can afford it, go to USC over UC's"</p>
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It would be interesting to hear from current UCLA and Berkeley students regarding class size, availability of classes and housing, and any comments about the high number of commuters.
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<p>A lot of those issues and differences are actually pretty overrated. USC is actually a pretty damn big school itself.</p>
<p>I can't comment on the relative reputation of USC vs. UCLA, but I will say that USC has managed itself really well and is definitely a school that's been on the move for awhile. It used to legitimately be called the University of Spoiled Children and had a fair amount of weak students. It has shed that reality and every year improves.</p>
<p>
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Only a USC student would put UCLA/UCI on the same level.
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<p>You would be surprised how good UCI is becoming. I think in the next 10-20 years, UCI will be very comparable to UCLA. UCI is growing exponentially campus wise, research wise, and student population. Their Bio program is becoming one of the largest in the nation. Don't forget, they also accept a lot of international students, so UCI is becoming recognized worldwide. (My sister graduated from UCI and she makes six-figures a year after 3 years working).</p>
<p>It also depends on your major. If you are majoring in a science field, UCs will be better and offer more research oppurnities. If you are going to major in something business or etc, private schools are a better way to go.</p>
<p>I had a choice between UCLA, UCI, and USC. I chose USC, but my second choice was UCI. Don't get me wrong, UCLA is an amazing school. I just dont think they offer enough hands on experience and one on one treatment with professors like UCI and USC can offer.</p>
<p>And I'll say it again (stolen from my professor).... if you want to be smart, go to UCLA. If you want to be rich, go to USC. And I can assume more than half of you guys are going to college to potentially make more money in the future. Sure, that is a horrible way of overgeneralizing college students, but lets be realistic people. $ is always the center of attention when picking a college. Can you afford going to blank college and can we make money after graduating from that college.</p>
<p>^ So does USC teach all of its students some special personal finance courses?</p>
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So does USC teach all of its students some special personal finance courses?
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Yes, Personal Finance Course 101- rich entrepreneurial alumni come in and offer great jobs to USC students. But you only get to find out about it if you go to USC. There is nothing online about it. </p>
<p>This answer seemed to fit the same tone as your question. :)</p>
<p>(Please forgive me- I usually try to stay nice and polite- I really do mean for this to add some levity here.)</p>
<p>lol @cc411, you jokester!... So why does that professor say that if you want to be smart go to UCLA, if you want to be rich go to USC ?...sorry I'm not 100% familiar with each school's reputation.</p>