<p>This week I found out that I had been admitted to both USC and UCSD. Now the question arises which of these is the school that is a better fit for me. I am majoring in cognitive science with a future plan in the medical field (medical school maybe...). Any suggestions either way?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>All I can say is that if you decide to attend USC, be prepared to cough up bundles of cash. UCSD provides an equal (if not better) academic program for half the cost.</p>
<p>UCSD is a reasonably better choice. What I suspect is in part the cause of USC's high rankings is that that students literally will have to pay $120k+ for undergraduate studies alone. With that kind of money to throw around, even a wasteful school will be able to fund decent programs.</p>
<p>If you're looking into medical school, UCSD, while not exactly as well known as USC, certainly holds its own reputation in sciences that is equal if not superior to USC's. Also, consider that a UCSD education will cost roughly $75k in its entirety, half that of USC's. This will be very significant when considering medical school, who's costs will range anywhere from $100~180k. I, for one, would rather not have to carry $300k in debt, with no way of paying it back for at least 5 years after medical school (residents make crap money so don't expect to start paying off your loan until at the very least the 4th year after medical school)</p>
<p>UCSD.. cheaper and better in science/medical field.</p>
<p>USC if you plan to major in business/communication</p>
<p>How does your financial aid package for usc look? In my case overall cost was cheaper at usc and that definitely helps in the decision making process.</p>
<p>haha this is exactly my problem right now. I can get a half-tuition scholarship from USC because I'm a national merit finalist though (I declared different choice school for NMS, but then I sent in a form to change it to undecided. They didn't send me confirmation or anything, so I'm just hoping that it got changed >.> then if I end up wanting to go to USC, I can send in another change form and change it to USC) and I'm only getting 2k for my UCSD Regents Scholarship, and USC is better for business majors, so... <em>shrug</em></p>
<p>usc is better cuz more connection...</p>
<p>My friend was a NMS finalist too, but he says it would still cost him significantly more (he said $10k) than a UC. The regents would still cut a significant portion of your tuition, though, considering that a UC education is a lot cheaper to begin with. Save up what you can, because medical school is not exactly the cheapest thing to do.</p>
<p>USC is better because they have a football team and are looking good for an Elite Eight in basketball.</p>
<p>Torrancecali, I was just about to mention the connections aspect of choosing a college too! USC will reaaaaally be able to hook you up..</p>
<p>I would have to say USC because of the amazingly strong Trojan network. Something to think about after graduating...</p>
<p>Connections might be important for business/economics/law, but I seriously doubt their strength when considering medical school. Not many of the people that initially want to go into med school actually end up as doctors, and if the connections really are from USC, it's hard to say that many of your class mates will end up as doctors to help you out when you finish residency/fellowships.</p>
<p>That, and the demand for doctors is so high that you don't necessarily need connections in the first place to land yourself into the top 1% income bracket.</p>
<p>People don't become doctors for the money. And being a doctor doesn't mean you're in the top 1% income bracket...in fact, most doctors aren't. If you want money, go into a different field.</p>
<p>My point being that going into medical school and being a doctor will not be affected by "connections". The demand for doctors is high in the US right now. Connections would only pertain to fields where demand is low, or where the profession is difficult to get in to. This would apply to law, business, or economics (on Wall Street and such)</p>
<p>And while most doctors aren't in the top 1% of the income bracket, they are considered upper-middle class. Specialized doctors especially will typically go for around $200~400k, although subtracting malpractice insurance and taxes that still comes down to ~$100k after taxes...substantially more than an average household income.</p>
<p>You don't need to be in the top 1% of the income bracket. IMO, as long as you can live comfortably and have enough money for any unexpected events, financially you're good.</p>
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USC is better because they have a football team and are looking good for an Elite Eight in basketball.
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<p>sorry, maybe next year</p>
<p>............................</p>
<p>I would go for UCSD. According to rankings, they beat USC in almost everything pertaining to science. They are known for being a power research institution.</p>
<p>Go to USC if you can afford it, it's a better college experience. UCSD doesn't have the sports or the level of school social life/spirit.</p>
<p>Edit: UCSD is known as a good school locally, but USC is more known elsewhere.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, what USC is known elsewhere for may not be so much its academics as the decadence people seem to have associated with the Southern Californian lifestyle.</p>