USC Annenberg v. Berkeley - need to decide TODAY! Help!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So, it's May 1, and I am totally and completely stuck.</p>

<p>I'm a self-proclaimed nerd from Los Angeles. I want to major in political science and print journalism, or, if I'm not at a school offering the latter, maybe communications.</p>

<p>Berkeley:
Pros: Farther from home, nicer area, more overall prestigious, more intellectual, probably a better social scene for me
Cons: Huge classes, huge dorms, huge...everything, not much of a support system, no j-school and all that would provide</p>

<p>USC:
Pros: Fantastic journalism school, nicer campus, smaller classes, more supportive atmosphere
Cons: Not as academically prestigious overall, sporty/preppy/party atmosphere would be somewhat wrong for me, not great neighborhood, much closer to home</p>

<p>I don't know which school's paper is better - I've read them both and like them equally, but any experience at what it's like to work at one or thoughts differentiating the two would be great. Yes, this is an important factor.
Costs would end up being about the same.</p>

<p>Basically, I feel that Berkeley looks like more of a fit for me, but I'm really worried about the size and not sure I want to give up the journalism education. USC has those advantages, but I'm worried that the social atmosphere and the laissez-faire approach to schoolwork by some would make me totally miserable. To complicate the matter, my parents just told me they weren't sure I could cut it at Berkeley (nice, right?) and so that in their opinion, USC being less academic would be a plus, and reminded me that I couild probably transfer from USC to Berkeley but not the other way around. </p>

<p>So it's 8 am, and I frankly have no idea, and thoughts would really really really be appreciated, because I don't know which to choose. I like both schools and could see myself at either. </p>

<p>(And one last question that's going to get me crucified...I know double-depositing is frowned upon, but...how frowned upon is it? I think a little more time would help me a LOT, and I have perfectly justifiable reasons as to why I would have to pull out of either school. If this part is making you foam at the mouth, that's fine, but please answer my original question as well. Thanks!)</p>

2

<p>why would you not be able to transfer from Berkeley to USC?</p>

3

<p>Fair question. If I go to USC now, I'd be getting a half-tuition scholarship (that's what brings it down to roughly the same cost of Cal). If I transferred, I wouldn't have that, and I probably wouldn't be able to afford it. Also, I think it would be really hard to transfer into their journalism department having not had any journalism classes and still be able to graduate in four years.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
but I'm worried that the social atmosphere and the laissez-faire approach to schoolwork by some would make me totally miserable.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The social atmosphere would make you miserable? What about the social atmosphere? I honestely find that impossible to believe, as USC is an extremely diverse school, with something for everyone. I really get the impression that you're basing that view on stereotypes about the school.</p>

<p>Anyway, Annenberg is one of the best J-schools in the country.</p>

5

<p>i go to USC...i'm not going to lie that there is a more "preppy" atmosphere here. to be perfectly honest, they were the type of people i didn't like in high school and i still don't really hang out with...it's just that USC is so hugely diverse in terms of home state (which IMO is very noticeable) and interests that you shouldn't have any problem finding friends who share your interests....whether those interests be nerdy and academic, or musical/artistic, etc. actuallyl, at USC it would probably be a combination of both of those (academic and artistic, or otherwise)...i firmly believe that compared to other schools, the students at USC are much more well rounded than students at other schools, Berkeley included. most of the people i've met are smart, social, artistic to some degree, and extremely interesting on the whole. i think a lot of this has to do with the fact that so many students are from out of state, as well as the fact that USC puts less emphasis on statistics in admissions (while still being selective...last years' acceptance was 27%, and i could bet that that went down this year).</p>

<p>and while USC isn't cutthroat academically in the way that many of Berkeley's programs are, that's not to say USC isn't academically oriented. maybe 15 years ago you could have said, justifiably, that USC was less academically inclined, but not anymore. i'm an engineering major, one of the more stereotypically "competitive" majors. the thing is, the academic atmosphere is much more cooperative and collaborative instead of competitive at USC. even in classes that would be weeders at other schools (classes like calculus and physics), people always form study groups, work together on problem sets, etc. so i couldn't for the life of me say that USC is not academically rigorous (especially after spending a semester with an immensely demanding writing course), but the general attitude towards it and towards other students is more relaxed and collaborative, which to me is a great thing.</p>

<p>also, the "support system" at USC is great and highly personalized...every student at USC has to meet with an adviser before he/she can register for classes that semester. it's a 15-30 minute meeting that really helps you plan out courses, and as you move along toward your major and start to specialize more, your advisement meetings become even longer and even more individualized. also, there's tutoring all over the place offered by the school. overall, except for the University administration (like the President and all the offices under him), the faculty and departmental offices are very accessible.</p>

<p>i say definitely go for USC, especially since cost isn't as much of an option, and since you've already been accepted to the Annenberg school. the lack of an academic atmosphere shouldn't be an issue, because it's just a different sort of academic focus...and the students do worry about academics, it's just that they don't have a narrow, serious attitude toward it. which is related to the idea that USC does have a large preppy crowd, but because it's so diverse it's not something that should bother you.</p>

6

<p>You’ve suffered enough.</p>

<p>1) You’ve thought through the pros & cons for the two schools, but cant make up your mind until today
2) Money’s the same. </p>

<p>Go to Berkeley for the better brand name.</p>

7

<p>If you really want Journalism, I would go to USC..but this is extremely tough, and youre right about the transfer thing I forgot about that</p>