Currently a community college student deliberating between UCR and USC. Quite the difference obviously, but they’re the only schools in LA with a Creative Writing major. I’ve heard the copious “UCRejects” and “UCRetards” slander, but I’m not too keen on paying 50 grand a year at USC either. UCR is half the price, though I’m a little wary of the location. Honestly, I can afford both schools without financial aid or loans, but I’m looking for the best investment.
Some factors I value:
Safety
Sanitation
Networking
Education
Proximity to entertainment (6 Flags, shopping, nature)
Diverse and interesting student body (attractiveness is a bonus)
Campus apartments
Opportunities (internships, study abroad, career)
I don’t care much for sports or parties, but a completely uneventful school isn’t ideal either.
Has anyone attended either school? What were your experiences?
Any input and insight is appreciated! Thank you for your time!
Well if safety is your concern then Riverside is probably not the best place for that, but i’ve heard there’s areas around USC that are iffy, too. I just hear more horror stories about Riverside.
USC is like an oasis in the desert. Perfectly safe on campus, very ghetto (for lack of a better term) around it. I say this having been on campus (all day) about 8 times a year for around 6-7 years.
Cheolf, is there any light you can shed on the student body at USC? I’m sure there are all sorts, but USC does have the reputation of being full of “Spoiled Children”. Any experience with networking?
The USC student body is very passionate about the school. There’s a very strong frat presence, for better or worse. USC is actually seemingly diverse from what I’ve observed. I think USC accepts the most international students of any university in the nation. I could be wrong on that. There are definitely spoiled types on the campus, but I think you’ll find that at any school of a similar caliber.
The Trojan Family is a powerful force. My father is an alumnus and has successfully tapped into his USC connections on numerous occasions (he was a business admin major).
I was indoctrinated as a Trojan but ultimately decided not to apply (for undergrad, anyways). That’s mostly due to the transfer requirements pretty much requiring you to go out of your way to get them done (in my district).
I do love the school (to the extent of feeling very icky about the thought of attending UCLA) and have never ever felt threatened there or in its immediate vicinity. But like I said, once you leave the immediate area surrounding the campus, it’s very run-down.
GMTplus7, I guess you buy into that stereotype that CCC students can’t afford anything else. Community college is a viable option for those yet undecided in majors and schools. I have a great CC just down the mountain and I figured I’d finish up my GEs (in the comfort of my own home) while I considered my choices. Transfer students are also accepted more frequently, and with the UC TAG, admission is guaranteed.
Sure, I could have entered a university right after high school, but I would’ve been lost with no direction and potentially lost valuable time, effort, and money in transferring. Several friends came back to my CC after a poorly planned year in UCs.
Don’t assume the financial status of an individual with one piece of biased information.
I’ve been accepted in UCR and awaiting decision from USC.
Thanks Cheolf for the information, I’ve heard a great deal of the “USC connections” and honestly, that was my greatest motivation in applying. Glad to hear about the diversity, though I don’t know how I feel about Greek life yet. Joining a sorority seems like a good way to get involved, but I’m tentative regarding the famed “social scene” at USC.
Just curious, which school did you ultimately attend?
USC is located right off the freeway and has its own light rail station so there really isn’t any need to travel into the residential periphery at all.
There are very few redeeming qualities to the Riverside area. The nicest way I can put it is that most people from Los Angeles don’t have a reason to travel there.
@redbinbun I lived near the UCR campus for a while. I’ll try to address a few of the things you listed:
Safety: I’ve never had a problem walking around Riverside at night. But I’m also not a big drinker, so I’m sure it would be less safe if you like to stay out really late at bars or clubs.
Sanitation: The UCR campus is kept up pretty well. It’s also right next to the freeway, which causes the air quality to get really bad in the summer (I don’t know how important that is to you). The citrus trees blossom in the spring and smell nice, though.
Networking: Students in the business program seem to do well and have internships/job opportunities. With UCR’s medical school open, biology and other science majors seem to be even more popular. I’m not familiar with the situation for other majors.
Student Body: I’ve toured several campuses in Southern California, and I was pleasantly surprised by UCR. Students are generally friendly and I’ve met a lot of enthusiastic people from the school. If diversity is what you’re looking for, you’ll find it there. There also definitely seemed to be more students from middle class and lower income backgrounds there compared to other campuses that I visited (UCI, private schools).
“USC does have the reputation of being full of “Spoiled Children””
make that DID have the reputation …about 3 decades ago…Those days are loooooong gone.
Now it has one of the most ethnically diverse and talent student bodies of any private University in the country.
And regarding USC having a"very strong" frat presence- I wouldn’t describe a college where less than 25% of students join frats or sororities as having a “very strong” frat culture. Far from it.
In the bad old days, it was stronger, but over the past few years the Administration has a come down hard on frat behavior that they dont like- suspending numerous houses over abuses.
So once again, the descriptions from the past dont jive with what current USC students encounter .