UC Berkeley or USC?

College Search & Selection
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<p>I'm currently a psych major, and was planning to go into clinical psychology, but lately i find myself very interested in philosophy, ethics, and the study of law. No matter what i choose, I'll definitely be in the social sciences, and take this as if I'm aiming for law school. Which one is the school for me?</p>

<p>-I get half tuition from USC, so the costs are ROUGHLY the same
-I'm really interested in interdisciplinary studies (which USC reps really sold in their presentations)
-I'm interested in study abroad, research, all that good stuff (which sounds good at both schools)
-I actually like the UC Berkeley area and campus better, i think.
-When i went to USC presentations, it felt like the staff coddled you a bit, while UCB left things TOTALLY up to the students. I think i could use a little attention, but I never know :O
-I'm not a party animal, nor am I that into sports, but I do like social interaction :]</p>

<p>In the end, I want a good school experience, but opportunities and a... life changing education. If possible. I actually really like both of these schools, but Berkeley feels like the safer bet, while i really liked what USC was telling me. What do I do?! Any advice? </p>

<p>Please and thank you!</p>

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<p>Both are good. I like Berkeley better, of course. Go where you’re most comfortable. </p>

<p>Berkeley social sciences are top notch.</p>

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<p>Which one would you prefer lifestyle wise?</p>

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<p>this post won’t help you at all but honestly you can’t really go wrong with either school. good luck making your decision, it’s a tough (but good!) dilemma to have.</p>

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<p>I think the difference in attention you received, even at a large private school like USC, is an example of how a private school differs from a public school. Considering the similarity in cost for you, I’d say go for USC, and do Berkeley for grad/law school. USC doesn’t seem to have the reputation of having super competitive students like Berkeley does, which may be to your advantage in maintaining a high GPA once you start applying to grad/law school.
Another thing to consider is the difference between USC and Berkeley. USC I think tends to be more practical than Berkeley in terms of education, where Berkeley is more theoretical. I point to the example of the recent major USC created out of the philosophy department. PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND LAW.</p>

<p>But in all honesty, you can’t go wrong with either. Just imagine yourself on both campus. While imagining yourself on each campus, think of the other school. If you’re at Berkeley, do you think you’d second guess your choice and think about USC? If you’re at USC, do you think you’d second guess your choice and think of Berkeley?</p>

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<p>Thanks for the input everyone :smiley:
I just like to get feedback i guess, as decision time is drawing nearer.
And at slipper, I would like berkeley, except for the misery that is academic competition that runs your life. I went to a pretty competitive high school, so i see competitive academics suck the integrity and the soul out of some students… I feel like berkeley would be better than that, but i do want to get away from that feeling a bit. But in other aspects of lifestyle, i feel like berkeley suits me better :]</p>

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<p>^ GO BEARS! Welcome to Cal!</p>

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<p>Yet another student worried about having to spend too much studying in college!</p>

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<p>Think you’ll find Berkeley a more intellectual match. I’d tell you to follow your instincts.</p>

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<p>Berkeley is superior to USC with the exception of the film program and the football team.</p>

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<p>OMG I’m in this dilemma too! Except I’m a pre-med major (so I think the competition is even rougher >.<), attended both Cal Day and USC admit day today, and I’m thoroughly confused. I also imagined myself fitting in at Berkeley (my brother went there too) and then all of a sudden I really like USC because it does offer the chance to get away from academic competition. I too am not that into partying but do wanna have fun. It’s weird to think I was pretty much going to Berkeley and seeing people say GO TROJANS and consider switching my loyalty like that! IDK WHAT TO DO EITHER. D:</p>

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<p>“I really like USC because it does offer the chance to get away from academic competition.”</p>

<p>Exactly!</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>The Athletic Department and the Pay A Fee Buy A Degree Crowd from the “O.C.”</p>

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<p>This is a mad statement. </p>

<p>You do not shut the idea of going to a more prestigious, academically superior school only because you get more “coddling” in the academically inferior, less prestigious school. With that logic, I bet you’d encourage everyone to also aim for Hiram College instead of Berkeley since they’re more likely going to get more attention there than at Berkeley. That’s mad.</p>

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<p>^This is undergrad we’re talking about. The prestige difference between berk and usc at the undergrad level is negligible. The fact of the matter is that most of the undergrads aren’t the ones giving or adding prestige to a school the way grad students/professors/researchers are.
We’re not comparing a tier 1 school to a tier 3 or even a tier 2 school.
But by your logic, I am mad. I am mad.</p>

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<p>I can only speak, a little, for UCB. But I have a young relative at USC right now, a freshman, and she tells me that while her prof.s & opportunities are great, she’s a serious student into world politics and she’s having</p>

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<p>Sorry, hit send accidentally. To continue, my young relative at USC is having trouble finding “like minds”, her words. For what that’s worth, as it’s possibly not unusual for a freshman anywhere. USC is a great school, of course. What I know about UCB, to your concern about having to find your own way, is that it’s true that UCB is big, and you need to be ready to be a bit more independent perhaps, to take opportunities as they present themselves, and to look for them. But the truth is that help, advice, good friends & a good niche are there for the asking. And the opportunities are truly endless. You sound really enthusiastic about learning, and honestly that’s all it really takes to find your way. You don’t need to worry about getting lost, if you’re not the sort of person who generally does. (It’s like “real life” in that way). It only takes a little bit of effort on your part. In big intro classes faculty office hours are always available, and the faculty are generally terrific. So are the grad students, for the most part (again, like life, nothing is perfect.) The best instructors love undergrads, and I figure that’s partly why they teach where they do. You can find amazing freshman seminars as well, that’s something to definitely look for. Check out ratings of your favorite programs - the national research council grad school ratings may tell you a little about the kinds of scholars you’ll be working with. Not the most important thing in the grander undergrad scheme, perhaps, but it could make a difference to you. Good luck with your choice!</p>

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<p>liek0806, and you are saying the difference in “coddling” students at USC and at Berkeley is big???</p>

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<p>RML, you’re perfectly allowed to put words into my mouth if that’s what you’re intending to do. You’re going to read what you want to read, and given most of my posts, I don’t blame you. I frankly don’t value language or grammar enough to be overly concerned with being clear on CC posts.</p>

<p>But just to be brief, I wrote:
"**I think the difference in attention you received,**even at a large private school like USC, is an example of how a private school differs from a public school.</p>

<p>I think the key word above is “think” which implies a guess, not knowledge. Another keyword is “an”, which implies “one of the ways” not “the way” or “the example”</p>

<p>But to defend my thoughts(which I should add, I am entitled too) from what I have been told from my cousin’s experience, who attended private schools all her life(including USC) up until graduate/professoinal school, where she now attends a public(UCLA), there is a difference. I may not have attended USC, but from the small private school I did attend before the UC I currently now attend, one of the differences is in the “coddling”, which is something affirmed by my cousin.</p>

<p>To answer your question

I am not saying anything about how big or small the difference is. Is it implied by my response that there is a difference, yes. That’s all I’m stating. How big, how small is relative. One could get pedantic over a side by side comparison to the point of pointlessness. </p>

<p>RML, This back and forth can go on for ever, especially when one gets caught up with trying to argue with another’s thoughts for the purpose of who knows what as if there was an authoritative truth to all of this. My thoughts are opinions based on relative experiences I have become aware of. My thoughts are comparable to anyone sharing their thoughts on a thread which asks for thoughts and opinions. One could argue endlessly, but most often than not, it’s not going to get anywhere.</p>

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<p>JCB…</p>

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<p>Did I miss something? I don’t remember seeing OP commit to Kal, lol.</p>

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<p>UC Berkeley profs are greater, phonymom.</p>

<p>Fantastic comment, sistokid! Right on!</p>