<p>I'm trying to decide between USC, UCLA, and Cal. I'm majoring in accounting and minoring in English. So please, tell me something you love and hate about USC! Thanks!</p>
<p>Wolftron09,
You are deciding among three well known universities. However, UCLA does not have an undergraduate business school. I am uncertain, but students enter the business school at Cal, if accepted, in their junior year. (Please correct, if I am wrong). That should be an important factor in your choice.
Here are the top ten accounting programs according to U.S. News. Rankings are subjective, so you should do more research about the availability at the other two choices.</p>
<pre><code>U.S. News Accounting Rankings for UNDERGRADUATE 2009
</code></pre>
<ol>
<li> Texas</li>
<li> Illinois</li>
<li> Pennsylvania</li>
<li> BYU</li>
<li> Univ. of Southern California</li>
<li> Michigan</li>
<li> Notre Dame</li>
<li> Indiana</li>
<li> NYU
<ol>
<li>Michigan State</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>
<p>^ Correct about Haas Business School at Cal. Students apply the beginning of their sophomore year and get in junior year. It’s about a 50% acceptance rate into Haas.</p>
<p>USC’s has a really strong Accounting program (as stated above).
I don’t know THAT much about USC to give a con. I don’t want to be biased!</p>
<p>UCLA doesn’t have an accounting major or anything. But I’ve heard they have a 9-course accounting “minor”. The only business-related major/minor they offer is Economics, I think.</p>
<p>Pro: USC is a big 4 factory. You can pretty much go anywhere with an accounting degree from Leventhal. I had interviews with the Big 4, mid-tier firms, and Apple. Most of the students in the accounting school had job offers and internships before they started their senior year. </p>
<p>Con: Cost & Leventhal is getting intensely competitive. I remember busting my butt day and night in the advanced accounting & business tax courses. But it was worth it. It’s an awesome feeling to enter your senior year and not having to worry about looking for work.</p>
<p>Kinda silly but still fun…
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/396126-101-things-you-like-about-usc.html?highlight=things+to+like[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/396126-101-things-you-like-about-usc.html?highlight=things+to+like</a></p>
<p>Are you a CA resident? In-state tuition at a UC is much lower than USC, self-evidently. For out-of-state students, it’s tougher to call, as USC gives some nice merit & FAid packages and CA aid is tougher to get.</p>
<p>Try to visit each school & get a feel for each; they’re close enough that it’s do-able without too much time or expense.</p>
<p>Agree that UCLA has no business undergrad major but with USC you can enter as a freshman & have heard excellent things about their accounting school. Not sure about Cal’s entrance requirements.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure that the only California publics that have accounting majors are the CSUs.</p>
<p>Cal has a Master’s program in accounting, UCLA has an undergraduate minor. Of these three, USC is the only school that has a full-on accounting major for undergraduates.</p>
<p>OK, I’ll play :)</p>
<p>Pro: Wonderful, well-rounded college education and life. It gets high marks in every area - An alumni I met called it “the quintessential college experience!” (…and, The Trojan Family is a real asset.)</p>
<p>Con: Adjacent neighborhoods definietly not the greatest. While the university is as safe other urban campuses, you don’t want to wander off campus too far in the wrong direction. That said, the local folks are very proud of their great university and treat it like their jewel.</p>
<p>I just got back from visiting USC. The campus is great, cost isn’t a big issue, and I don’t even mind the “ghetto” neighborhood…it’s just that I didn’t really connect with the people. Weird, I know you hear all this stuff about the Trojan Family.</p>
<p>I’m not sure whether I should go to USC (for the amazing Leventhal program and job opportunities), despite the lukewarm peers, or go to UCLA and just minor in accounting. Cal is iffy at the moment.</p>
<p>The lack of connection was probably because of the visit?
I can’t say this is entirely true, but it is for most people. Since visiting a campus and actually attending a school is different on so many levels. Once you get involved with all the campus activities and attending classes and such, maybe you’ll get a better feel for the environment!</p>
<p>Hopefully. I don’t want to make the wrong decision and wind up hating my life for the next four years.</p>
<p>The advantage of large schools like UCs and USC is that you can “find your niche” if you put out a bit of effort. There are lots of folks to choose among and the group you most “click” with may not be in your major & may be from a different area of the country or even a different part of the world.</p>
<p>There is no way you need to “hate your life” for the next 4 years, no matter what school you enroll in. If you’re really unhappy at a school and feel that you need to transfer, keep your grades up & you’ll have a lot of transfer options. All anyone can do is examine the options & decide based on the best info they have available at the time they make their choice. You have some very nice options to choose among–good luck!</p>
<p>Wolftron09: You’ll make that connection once you actually start taking classes, especially in the accounting classes because they are small and you’ll get to know your peers quite well.</p>
<p>Its kind of funny because many of your peers will also be in your “start group” once you head off to work at one of the big 4. If you don’t connect with them now, you’ll definitely be seeing them next to you at work :P</p>
<p>Outside of required classes, USC has some really nice small classes in special interest areas which round out your college education. Unless you want to go with your high school friends, it takes time to make new friends and feel comfortable. USC is a large enough school with a variety of people and many activities/clubs to find friends. Go to UCLA if money is a concern. You will get more attention at USC. I personally am not a fan of CAL because it is too liberal for my taste.</p>
<p>I agree, Cal is a bit kooky and opinionated (great qualities, but not what I’m looking for). Plus it’s far from home. </p>
<p>USC would definitely be a better choice if I’m thinking about the long-term (employment, etc.). As for the short-term, I’m still not too sure if I’d find my niche there.</p>
<p>What kind of characteristics would you look for in your niche? Maybe we could give you a few ideas of where you could find such people.</p>
<p>USC is one of the most diverse schools around. You’re approaching the student body as if its homogeneous. Your approach should be quite the opposite, with a dash of optimism. You will find your niche. How long was this visit from which you’re basing your disinterest?</p>