<p>So I don't want this to turn into a USC versus UCLA forum, as that happens so frequently, but I will give my opinions on the qualities possessed by USC that are not characteristics of UCLA. As a Trojan, I will give credit to UCLA for also being a good school. </p>
<p>Why USC?
1. With 150 majors and 120 minors, USC offers a greater variety of educational opportunities to undergraduates. As a high school student, I knew that I wanted to pursue studies in architecture and real estate development. USC has strong programs in all of these fields. At the time, UCLA had no programs in these fields. UCLA just created an undergraduate architecture program, but it offers no professional degrees.<br>
2. The student body at USC is more diverse in various respects. Being a CA state school, UCLA exists for the students of California, which is fine. I, myself, prefer to be on a campus with people from all over the world. The main geographic diversity at UCLA is "NorCal" and "SoCal." At USC, 50% of students are from out of state, with 12% of undergrads and 24% of graduate students coming from outside of the country. This allows for an exciting student body.<br>
3. USC, while academically strong as a whole, has developed some unique programs that are stronger than programs at UCLA (or in many cases are not offered at UCLA). These strengths include the arts (architecture, cinematic art, fine art, theater, and music), business, communication, and journalism.<br>
4. USC is home to 17 professional schools in addition to the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. In this way it is more decentralized than UCLA; however, this structure provides increased opportunities to benefit from the blending of both professional and liberal arts educations. You will also find, through the professional schools, a greater number of students at USC who have a vision for what they want to do as a career and use USC's resources to shape their education around their career goals.<br>
5. UCLA does have school spirit, no doubt. USC simply has more. Last I checked, there was no University of California, Los Angeles thread in the College Search and Selection forum.<br>
6. Although USC is large with 16,000 undergraduates, UCLA is much larger with over 20,000 undergraduates.<br>
7. The notion of size extends to the outlook on students. UCLA students will often poke fun of the fact that USC students are always being nurtured like children while they are pursuing independence (I hear this all the time from my Bruin friends). Like many state schools, there is a lot of bureaucracy at UCLA, and it is largely up to you to find resources (i.e. with changing a major). USC provides more help and faculty to meet the needs of students, and this is nice! This also translates into the way you are received upon admission to the school. At UCLA I received a folder with an acceptance letter, whereas at USC I received a much nicer package (with an award welcoming me to the Trojan Family) in addition numerous mailings each week. USC invited me to numerous receptions and consistently gave me gifts (including some expensive "coffeetable" books signed by the authors expressing congratulations on my acceptance USC). USC knows how to do things right, and from my experience, I know that it was a perfect match for me. Class sizes at USC are also smaller. While lectures at a state school can often exceed 500 students, lectures at USC are about 100 students, and most upper-division and discussion classes at USC have 20-30 students.<br>
8. The disparity between facilities is apparent when comparing USC to state schools in California. This disparity is much greater between USC and Cal (I have a much more passionate comparision between these two schools) than between USC and UCLA, but it is still noticeable. While most of UCLA is in great condition (appearing almost as a private school) there are many buildings that remind me more of my public CA high school, with leaks in the ceilings and coveings missing from ceiling lights. Dissatisfaction with these factors often extends to faculty and students unhappy with facilities. At USC facilities are immaculate. Every month is seems like an alumnus is donating $50 million for the construction of a new building. Regarding the landscaping some Trojans will even be sarcastic that the cardinal and gold flower beds are replaced EVERY TWO WEEKS!! I happen to think that it's amazing, and this attention to detail and pride extends to the USC faculty and students.<br>
9. Housing! While UCLA has some nice housing options (their DeNeve Plaza is impressive) USC offers more luxuries. USC's newest buildings (Parkside Suites and the Arts and Humanities Residential College) are nicer than any residence hall I have visited at any campus. Rooms in USC dorms house two people, whereas the majority of rooms at UCLA house three people. In speaking with Bruins, they will say they like the added social scene of 3 people, yet most will claim they would like to have 2 people per room. (at USC you can have a 3 person room in Birnkrant, and you get 2 rooms-one with three beds and one with three desks) Furthermore, all USC dorms are on campus, whereas UCLA dorms are on their own campus, up a hill. My UCLA friends complain about walking 15-30 minutes to class from their halls. At USC, a walk will never exceed 10 minutes, and most classes are within a 5 minute walk. (Invision having to wake up for an 8A.M. class)
10. You're a Bruin for 4 years, and you're a Trojan for life! The Trojan Family is real on campus and off. Where I live, every car has a USC license plate frame, and alumni clubs are everywhere. I have worn USC apparel to cities throughout the state, and I always get a Fight on! (unless I'm in Westwood). My brother, a USC alum from 1996, is still proud of USC, and he comes to all of the football games with his college friends. The notion of the Trojan Family is prevalent in both the professional and personal contexts of life.</p>