<p>Hello,
I've been admitted to all my top choice schools.
I really didn't expect BERKELEY coming .........so now i'm really
confused
where i should go...</p>
<p>and no, I'm not a California resident..I'm out of state...</p>
<p>UCLA has always been my dream school..
but I've heard lots of negative about UC schools these days..</p>
<p>budget cuts,,.. too many student, .. compeitiveness. etc.,</p>
<p>My major is Biology. pre-profession track is pre-Dentistry</p>
<p>I really have no clue where to go because
everyone tells me different school.
Mostly, they tell me to go to Berkeley, cause I guess, the name and reputation and
all that..but somehow, I don't know, I'm just not really attracted.. or I don't
really know much about Berkeley..and i don't even know if i'm gonna survive
among all the geniuses! cause my SAT score did not even reach 2000 hahaha.</p>
<p>and for USC, I'm happy with lots of $$$ aid and it's a private school, so
smaller classes...?</p>
<p>UCLA......... dream school and it's LA hahahaha and i guess more social life?</p>
<p>Pleaseeeeee help me.......
I'm really really clueless.</p>
<p>Any advice will be great. thank you so much!</p>
<p>I don’t think UCLA or UCB is a bargain enough(since you’re not instate) to choose it over USC. The fact that your major is Biology, which is bound to be more competitive at the UCs(because of the premed kids) than presumably at USC. Since you probably aim at a pre-professional track after undergrad, save your money, and pick USC.</p>
<p>As a Berkeley student, I would suggest USC for the same reasons mentioned above. Plus, their pre-dentistry program is amazing. My sister is a bio. major and she loves it. USC is competitive, but less than Berkeley and UCLA. This does not mean it is less prestigious, but that there is a different mindset and atmosphere than the other too. My personal opinion is that’s it is because of the semester system and their low class room size. </p>
<p>This is your undergraduate degree, you’re not going to do anything groundbreaking…yet. All three of the schools are ranked in the 20s, Berkeley@21 UCLA@24 USC@26, so it’s virtually the same education. But the gaps start getting wider on the graduate level. However, unlike the UCs, USC is much more financially secure and offers better student resources.</p>
<p>Another factor is whether you like Northern California or Southern California. Though they areas are one in the same, being the State of California, they are two entirely different environments and cultures.</p>
<p>Your decision should be between Berkeley and USC, those are my recommendations. However (again, I am a Berkeley student), I would choose USC if I were you.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the advices , liek 0806 BayBoi10 !</p>
<p>They’re soo helpful!
Personally, it was really between UCLA and USC before, but now
I’m starting to see in a different perspective.
Lots of people either recommend berkeley and usc
i thought ucla was as great as well , but we’ll see!
i’m still waiting for USC financial aid packet…
hopefully, it’ll definitely lead me to a final decision!</p>
<p>I graduated from Berkeley and I disagree with the poster above. Berkeley has a ton of resources, it’s on the semester system as well, and if you’ve already been admitted to the MCB program, you’re a step ahead of a lot of pre-bio kids already. I don’t think you should pick USC just because it is a private school. I really enjoyed the fact that Berkeley feels like a college town–unlike Westwood or downtown LA–and it felt like a much more intellectual environment around the campus. I think that if you’ve passed the gamut of admissions at Berkeley, you’ll be fine if you work hard. (if you slack, you’re screwed come Chem 3)</p>
<p>Perhaps this is a good time to ask–why is UCLA your dream school? What is important to you?</p>
<p>Of course Berkeley is amazing, that’s why I go here. However, I do not consider it to be the best option for out-of-state students. Simply, the cost of 50k+ a year is not justified for being a second-class citizen on campus. Berkeley really is California’s university and the staff and admin treat it as such. USC has more of an international focus. I am not saying it’s not as well know as USC on an international level, because it’s not. What I’m saying is that USC in terms of academic focus, has more of a global approach than the UCs. Also, he will greatly benefit from the large international student body by networking with them.</p>
<p>Again, I am so proud to be a Golden Bear, but I would never consider paying 50k a year for the extremely large classes, less student resources (i feel the UCs focus more on grad students), and upset faculty, staff, admin, and students. I’ll admit that it’s not a great time for the UCs right now and I’m glad I’m graduating next year. Don’t worry though, Berkeley will get through this, but it’s not going to be immediate.</p>
<p>Well, UCLA has been my dream school since I was young. I cannot lie, but
the location and prestige are one of the biggest reasons.
However, I know that Berkeley is even more prestigious internationally, but
I’m really not confident about how I’ll keep up with challenging studies and compete
against such intelligent students. I want to maintain a good GPA and enjoy
my college life at the same time. And to me, UCLA seems like a more fitting school to me
in every aspect…I know, i’m being very biased, but it’s really what my heart tells me! haha .
but now, as what BayBoi10 has mentioned, big class size, student body, the cost ,. in UC schools are really scaring me …
So although ucla has always been my dream school, I’m looking more into private
schools, especially USC , now that I’m actually admitted and it’s also in the almost
about the same location as UCLA.</p>
<p>ahhh, honestly this college selection is really tough!
i change my mind every second.
uc berkeley, ucla, usc…and all my friends and family recommend me
different schools …so i’m really really clueless.</p>
<p>But really, Thank you for the inputs!
I really appreciate it :)</p>
<p>While all three schools are very good they are also very different. Have you visited each one? You need to spend a full day at each campus to get a real feel for the place. Sit in on classes, eat in the dining hall, walk all over the campus. And then visit the surrounding areas where you will be going for a bite to eat or a movie on the weekends. You will get a great education at any of them so why not pick the school that feels right to you and is the best “fit” for you. No one here can really tell you which school that is.</p>
<p>Thank you Inquiringmind2 !
I really wish I can visit all three campuses, but I’m living outside the U.S.
and I can’t afford to buy a plane ticket for a short visit
money AND time …
anyway, </p>
<p>financially,
UC Berkeley has offered me $21,700 free money
UCLA offered me $20,500
and USC offered me $38,228 .
*these exclude loans and work study.</p>
<p>I know that people will most likely say DUH, USC!
However,
My parents are I am really worried that USC won’t
give me such a big amount of money in the future years…
and we might go broke hahaha… in debts …
Because I’ve seen this person on cc about horror story of USC financial aid system…
like he got lots of money in his first year, but
starting from his second year, they only gave him alittle…
Is this true ?
And yes, berkeley and ucla both cost about the same for me
since i’m out of state, $50k + each year …
however, I was hoping, if I go to a UC school, maybe I can get my residency
and pay less in the future…
BUT i found out how tough and dfficult it is to obtain residency
as an undergraduate…I saw the requirements :S </p>
<p>OMG I’m facing the same dilemma as you
Berkeley, UCLA or USC??? Aaaahhhhh
I want to major in Biology as well but I’m a California resident so the cost is about the same for all three school for me.
I also heard a lot about the budget cut for UC’s system. Is that a big disadvantage for us undergrads?</p>
<p>yellow:)<br>
how much of the financial aid from each school is in the form of loans ? that of course makes a huge difference. After knowing that, I can give you my thoughts.</p>
<p>Actually, yes Grumster, I had forgotten OP was out of state for CA. Go to USC by all means… If I remember tuitions correctly, at USC you would pay about $15k beyond your aid, and at the UCs you would need to pay about $24k beyond your aid?</p>
<p>Still, I need to know how much of the USC and UC aid is in the form of loans…</p>
<p>USC all the way, even if you do get residency after your first year because:</p>
<p>USC= 16k<em>4= 64k
UC’s =29k+ 9k</em>3= 56k (if you get residency after one year) if not you have to pay 116k </p>
<p>i just think you most sound investment is in USC, chances are your aid to the UC’s will be less and less because of budjet cuts so that 8k gap IF you do make resid will be less and less if the budjet cuts continue as for USC they are pretty consistent in FA</p>
