<p>I know they're rivals, but...
If you had to make a decision between these two schools, which would you pick, and why? If you attend either school, what made you choose what you chose?</p>
<p>I would pick LA anyday!</p>
<p>ucla. ive taken classes there and i lived downtown not far from usc which is ghetto. leaving the usc campus at night is a much bigger risk than at ucla. the academics are another clear reason to pick ucla, unless you are going for a few specific things that usc excels at... like football.</p>
<p>If it's going to cost you the same (given scholarships etc.).
I'd pick UCLA for the location = Westwood, less smog
USC = scary downtown location, bad SMOG, somewhat smaller class sizes,
R. Bush (football)
I've heard there can be 200+ students in a USC freshman class,
perhaps not much different from a 300 or 500 student UCLA class.</p>
<p>UCLA -- I didn't seriously consider USC, though I applied to it along with the UCs. I got accepted to both schools, and favored UCLA because of its stronger academics, more prestigious reputation, nicer campus and surrounding environment. Most importantly, I found the student body a better personal fit after touring the campus in person. I don't care much about athletics, so I root for both the Bruins and Trojans when they're not playing against each other. Being a typically over-competitive Asian nerd who's applying for top Computer Science graduate schools (Stanford, Caltech, UCB, UCLA, UCSD), and less of a party/fraternity person, I felt more comfortable attending UCLA. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>honestly and obviously I would pick USC because it's more of my fit and i like to work/play hard and I'm much more of a partier too ; D</p>
<p>I don't think it's fair to say that UCLA is far above USC in academic strength. As far as campus, attitude, and other personal things, yeah, most people will give the nod to UCLA, but labeling USC as simply a party school would be, in my opinion, wrong. Admittedly, I'm looking at this from a slightly skewed perspective given the fact that I'm a CNTV applicant, but everything I've seen puts USC up there with (or even slightly ahead of) UCLA academically and in terms of selectivity. Furthermore, USC's reputation and all-around prowess seems to be growing each year, while UCLA has been virtually stagnant (which isn't to say that this is a bad thing for UCLA, since they're near the top and staying there is impressive).</p>
<p>That being said, if I was a California applicant, I'd definitely go to UCLA over USC for financial reasons.</p>
<p>hm. well i am a california applicant- and yes, the financial reasons are basically what I'm concerned about. I was accepted to USC today (still haven't heard from UCLA... I'll hear in March, but I think my stats are pretty competitive). The only thing I'm really concerned about with UCLA is how big it is.. were any of you overwhelmed with its size? getting necessary classes? I know I can graduate in 4 years from USC, but at a larger school, like UCLA, it will probably take 5 years. I'm hoping to receive the Dean's scholarship from USC, but we'll see if that happens...</p>
<p>p.s. I don't party, drink, smoke, etc etc... but I think I'd be able to find a niche anywhere I go... I've also never been to a football game IN MY LIFE, so it would be interesting if I did end up at USC lol.</p>
<p>I would choose USC over UCLA, but that's just because I prefer their Theatre and Cinema-Television programs. I don't know much about the academics of UCLA, but USC is good for what I want. Besides, when I went to go visit both, something about UCLA gave me a very bad feeling- just like I'd never like it there. I don't know why, either, since it has such a beautiful campus. Oh, well..</p>
<p>sendtherain: i know what you mean. i toured both campuses, and when i walked around the ucla campus, it was a bit... disappointing. i liked that usc had so much grass, brick buildings, etc.. basically an east coast campus on the west coast. however, i don't want to pick a college just because of what it looks like. but i'll admit, usc did give me that "AHH THIS IS AMAZING" feel..
i'm looking to major in political science, hopefully with a minor in music industry ... if that affects anyone's comments from now on..</p>
<p>it is true UCLA has a long established reputation. But for undergraduate teaching and education, USC is at least equal to UCLA, if not better in some fields. UCLA is still ahead of USC in a whole on gradschool level, saving some majors.</p>
<p>Suppose USC and UCLA exchange location, which one would you choose? Or further, they exchange the tuition rates, which one would you choose again? Just admit it, most of people ending up at UCLA are for the reasons like financial concerns, location, or larger asian population. There could be some exception for sure, but I am an asian and I know too well how people get into UCLA.</p>
<p>
[quote]
but I am an asian and I know too well how people get into UCLA
[/quote]
</p>
<p>And what does that mean?</p>
<p>I was a Poli Sci major at UCLA back when UCLA was better known for its sports than USC (yes, I'm that old) and I was overwhelmed with the size of the first year classes. Just you and 500 total strangers packed into an auditorium. But once I moved up to the upper division courses -- with their smaller classes -- it was a great experience. I was able to graduate in three years (and that was without any AP credits) and had no trouble getting the classes I wanted. The professors were so bright and so stimulating, and your fellow classmates added to the educational experience. In the real world, I think UCLA has a much better reputation academically. USC is known as a place where rich kids who couldn't get into a top school go, whereas UCLA is considered one of the two Holy Grails of cheap but excellent education (along with Berkeley) It's in a better location for "fun" and while it may seem large on your first visit, in no time it'll feel more intimate and welcoming. But then I am biased and would rather send my son to the University of Tehran than SC.</p>
<p>USC= University of Second Choice and University of Spoiled Children..</p>
<p>haha i'm guessing alkim88 would prefer ucla?</p>
<p>burnthis: thanks for your great information! size was definitely one of the things i was concerned about (my current senior class has 75 students), but its great to know that the classes eventually get much smaller and that you didn't have trouble getting the classes you needed. when did you graduate? i'm amazed you graduated in 3 years.</p>
<p>Sarah!
I think i saw you on the USC board heh.</p>
<p>Well, I'm going to have to decide if I get into UCLA, but atm, i'm TOTALLY Clueless.</p>
<p>but it does feel good to know you were accepted SOMEWHERE (usc baby!)</p>
<p>haha yep i think i replied to a thread you started!</p>
<p>yeah... i know we don't find out about ucla for another month or so but i'm just thinking ahead just in case:
A) I get in there too and
B) I have to make a decision : )</p>
<p>anyway congrats on your admit to usc. who knows, i just might see you there next year!</p>