Hi everyone,
I have been accepted to both UCLA and USC, and I am struggling choosing between the two. I am undecided as to what I want to major in, and paying for either is not an issue. I have visited both campuses and I felt more comfortable on USC campus because it is the perfect size and everyone seemed friendly, however, I think UCLA is a prettier campus in a better area. At UCLA I am afraid I will have trouble enrolling in the classes I want and will not get any individual attention from professors. However, I have also heard that UCLA is a more recognized school outside of the southern California area. What are the students like at each university? What are the classes like? What are the surrounding areas like? How do these two schools compare? Thank you to anyone who helps me with this decision!(:
I mean the area at UCLA is nice and haven’t heard issues from Bel-Air. But as for USC, you check it out for yourself. I’m not a college attendee but I visited UCLA twice in my life.
UCLA has a prettier and larger campus in a nicer area, and is rated a little higher overall academically, but there’s not a large gap. Both schools have about the same number of students overall, but UCLA has a significantly larger number of undergrads, whereas USC has considerably more graduate students. USC has a lower/better student faculty ratio. Both schools have a good mix of academics, sports and social life. Judging solely on academics, I would give UCLA the nod.
Can I ask where you’re from? I don’t think UCLA is more recognized outside of California at all.
You need to find out whether your proposed major is impacted at UCLA. If you can’t get into classes you need to take easily, it could be challenging to finish on time. UCLA is an excellent university but it is not superior academically to USC. If cost is not a factor I’d choose USC. (Disclosure - my child is a junior at SC.)
I think USC campus is nicer. If the price is comparable I would choose USC.
Currently facing the same dilemma!
I’m kinda in the same boat. My mom went to UCLA but is advising me to go to USC like my brother. I do like UCLA for the community and just many more social opportunities as it is a huuuuuuuuge school but prestige wise, USC looks better. Idk I just feel USC has a more elite vibe especially for being a private school with an extremely tightly knit alumni association. The acceptance rate to USC this year is 17.5% and it seems that they are becoming more and more exclusive, even more so than Berkeley(last year’s Berkeley not sure about 2015 acceptance rate). Of course it won’t have the same status as an Ivy league, but it sure does look like USC is becoming more elite every year. Seems like enrolling in classes is easier and you can have a better relationship with professors since the classes aren’t nearly as big as UCLA’s. Good relationship with professors= recommendation letter for grad school. UCLA on the other hand, has a beautiful campus next to Beverly Hills not some scary ghetto. I can imagine myself having a lot more fun and going out to places outside campus without having to worry about getting mugged. UCLA is basically like its own town with all its students and I think the strong school spirit will really allow people to make more friends. UCLA is a very competitive school with studious students that have received outstanding grades while USC seems to be for people who are more well rounded. My dad told me that you can kinda see the difference between the schools through the acceptance mail. UCLA gave a booklet that has a very hip and innovating look while USC sent a Velcro’d sturdy plastic “folder file thing” including two booklets and a certificate placed on the side folder. The booklets were really bland looking, the opposite of UCLA’s, but right when you open the the package it says in clean gold letters, “Welcome to the Trojan Family”. The simplistic design made the words look more powerful in a way and I thought I was being welcomed into the most badass/exclusive organization in California. I think I’m at 40% for UCLA and 60% for USC. just my opinion
The mere fact that UCLA lead the nation in applications (100000+)says a little about its reputation, both nationally and abroad.
I have to concur about the little things. USC, as a private school, does send out best-in-class invitations to various alumni events that are better than most wedding invites, with parchment, ribbons, artwork and beautiful fonts that make discarding them difficult to do, lol. These seemingly inconsequential things do matter to alumni who are asked to make donations.
If you are undecided, definitely USC.
@DrGoogle She probably already made her decision by now since it was posted on April 13th.
Somebody brought the thread back up.
Sorry, that would be me. I just got off the waitlist for UCLA and now I have to pick between USC and UCLA…
@DrGoogle @dsi411
I went to UCLA, and obviously there is a huge rivalry between the two schools. However, this past year my daughter and I went on tours of both. I have always been a loyal Bruin, but the USC campus was awesome. I had to admit, I really liked the school and thought there were many pros to going there. She was also accepted to Berkeley and I would have been supportive and thrilled with whatever choice she made.In the end, she did choose UCLA and is incredibly happy. The campus is gorgeous and there’s nothing like living in West L.A. So, although I really did keep an open mind, UCLA is just everything you could want. Academic prestige, beautiful campus, great location/neighborhood, and sports.
@dana37 same with me (an old Trojan!). My daughter is now happily in UCLA (Did grow up as a “baby Trojan”, as she used to call herself…and still wears her Trojan gears, sometimes, though only at home )!