<p>I've heard multiple great things about UM, UF, USC, and UCLA and their programs. I've done multiple searches on all of the schools but I can't decide which of the four would be the best experience. I am outgoing, hardworking, and want to have a good time. Price is not a problem. I'm not sure yet what I want to study (probably math, engineering, or science) but I know all four universities have top-level programs.
Any opinions on why one is better, different, or a better choice???</p>
<p>Much will depend on major. Each has its own strengths.</p>
<p>UF is a step below the others in academics. Others are pretty close and all can provide a good college experience. Classic college town or the LA lifestyle?</p>
<p>@barrons thanks alot, from what I saw about each school thats exactly what I noticed. I was just hoping that I wasnt the only one who thought that haha</p>
<p>Are you thinking of applying to these schools…or already been accepted and trying to make a decision?
If it’s the former, and you’re applying to UCLA, might as well check off Berkeley… Much stronger math, science and engineering programs.</p>
<p>“Much will depend on major. Each has its own strengths.”</p>
<p>Michigan is strong in just about everything offered at the Ann Arbor campus. It ain’t Alabama mom2collegekids.</p>
<p>Lots to be taken into consideration here:</p>
<p>weather: Do you want sunshine or ‘seasons’?
location: Big city or collegetown?</p>
<p>UCLA has a very nice area and is in one of the most affluent areas of Los Angeles. USC’s area is more urban and is currently undergoing gentrification. The interesting thing about USC is that the Expo line will open up in full in 2015, making a larger portion of the city easily accessible to USC students (in term of living and visiting) but you’d have to tough it out for at least a year until this became available.</p>
<p>If you’re OOS, you’ll likely be paying high OOS tuition. It might be worth considering going to USC if they give you a nice enough scholarship.</p>
<p>As far as Michigan is concerned, it’s a fine public university with good programs particularly in engineering and business. l don’t know enough about UF to comment on it.</p>
<p>All of the universities except for UF are academic peers. Your decision should be determined largely on fit and affordability. (just because you can afford something doesn’t mean you should spend thousands of dollars more if you can afford not to.)</p>
<p>Those four schools are all great schools. It’s hard to go wrong on any of them. </p>
<p>U of M and UCLA are peers in academic quality and name recognition.
USC is a very slightly less prestigious due to slightly weaker grad programs.
Florida is significantly lower ranked than the other three.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses everyone! From what I have heard, my top choice would probably be either Michigan or UCLA.
I just have an opinionated question about your overall experiences:
From what you have went through or what you have heard from someone else, what type of experience should I be expecting socially from these schools? Are the other students hard working (so I can study with them), is it a lively social scene? What can I expect going into one of the universities as a freshman (Stress? Partying? Respectful/disrespectful people)?</p>
<p>Obviously a vague question, i’d just like an idea of what the student life is all about.</p>
<p>I think the Princeton review’s description of UCLA is very nice:</p>
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<p>Regarding your on-campus experience, it’s impossible for anyone to accurately give you an answer. It’s a trap to think of colleges as just big high schools. Michigan (27,400 undergrads), UCLA (27,200), Florida (32,600) and USC (17,400) have massive populations. Add in the grad students and three are at or over 40,000; that’s a small city. </p>
<p>Your social life will be what you make of it. Initially it will be everyone on your dorm floor. Eventually it will include people in your classes and the clubs you join. And while public flagship universities tend to party a bit more, you don’t need to worry about finding a good time in college.</p>
<p>All four are great schools with Florida being considered the least prestigious. That said, if they offered you a full ride it would be tough to walk away from.</p>