USC Annenberg v. Cal v. UCLA v. Smith

Parents Forum
1

<p>I apologize for posting this in multiple forums, but I didn't get any responses in the Search & Selection forum so I thought I'd try my luck here. </p>

<p>I've gotten into 8 schools and narrowed it down to these four, and am now pretty much stuck. Help would be appreciated. I'm nerdy but social, from Los Angeles, and I intend to major in political science unless I'm at USC, in which case I'd major in journalism with a double major or minor in poli sci. I'll probably be active in student publications, political organizations (liberal), and the Jewish community. The first three would cost about the same as I'm in-state for the UCs and getting a half-tuition scholarship at USC - Smith would cost about twice as much.</p>

<p>USC
Pros: Top-notch undergraduate journalism school (only school that offers one); great daily paper; reasonably sized student body; nice campus; the "Trojan family"
Cons: Not sure the preppy/sports-oriented atmosphere I've heard it has would be a great fit for me; really close to home and not in a great area</p>

<p>Cal
Pros: Academically prestigious; intellectual; in an interesting location; great daily paper
Cons: Absolutely huge school; very little support network; a lot of kids from my high school end up going here</p>

<p>UCLA
Pretty much the same as Cal except much closer to home - this would probably be the first to get knocked off my list</p>

<p>Smith
Pros: The only out-of-state school I'm seriously considering; much smaller and more supportive; gorgeous campus and dorms; basically a real New England college experience; open curriculum and no required classes outside major
Cons: All-girls; not as great of a paper; really expensive (see above)</p>

<p>In the end, it's pretty much going to come down to USC and Cal. I've visited both briefly (I'm going back for longer) and liked them about equally. I really like the idea of going to a j-school (I know you're not "supposed" to for undergrad, but I'd like to study it), but I'm worried about USC's social scene. I like that Cal is more intellectual, but I wish it weren't so huge.</p>

<p>Any thoughts would be highly, highly appreciated. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Undergraduate Jewish population
USC-10%
Cal- 10 %
UCLA- 12 %
Smith-9.6 %</p>

<p>
[quote]
In the end, it's pretty much going to come down to USC and Cal. I've visited both briefly (I'm going back for longer) and liked them about equally. I really like the idea of going to a j-school (I know you're not "supposed" to for undergrad, but I'd like to study it), but I'm worried about USC's social scene. I like that Cal is more intellectual, but I wish it weren't so huge.

[/quote]

Greek life is huge at USC and the students tend to be quite wealthy. The social scene at Cal is very good. There’s a lot to do on campus and in town. On the negative side, Berkeley is a big run down and a lot of the students at Cal are ultra competitive and cutthroat. If that doesn't bother you, then Cal may be the best fit.</p>

3

<p>Cal is not so competitive in the humanities, however; just primarily in the premed sciences. Going north will get you out of your comfort zone.</p>

<p>USC has a bimodal student body: ~50% full pay, but yet the highest % of Pell Grantees of all private schools. Thus, it has few "middle" income students. Trojan alumni is a big plus for jobs/connections, particularly in SoCal should you wish stay local for work.</p>

4

<p>Just a plug for Smith, even though it seems to be off your list at this point. I believe Government and Poli Sci are excellent there. The person you should talk to is TheDad, who is cheerleader-extraordinaire for Smith (his D is a junior there, a combination math-and-government major, I believe). He also lives in California and could give you excellent advice about the Cal schools. There are many of us parents who are thrilled with how Smith has turned out for our daughters. There are extraordinary opportunities for research and internships and interaction with professors at Smith that might be lacking at the big Cal schools. The alumnae network is also worth a great deal. While the percentage of Jewish students may be a little lower at Smith than at the other schools on your list, I believe I have heard good things about Smith's Jewish community. The absence of guys can be redressed to some extent by a Junior Year Abroad. Check out the Smith Forum, if you haven't already, and post your query there. TheDad is sure to respond (as will a few other dads and maybe a couple of moms).</p>

5

<p>Smith is great - - but costing "twice as much" (though you didn't give ay $ amounts) is a major negative, and for many families would understandably be a deal-breaker.</p>

<p>I'm notsure I'd focus on the major since your interest may change during the four years.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the thoughts, guys. Yeah - Berkeley and USC are in the 20K range, while Smith would be 40K, so that's pretty much out.</p>

<p>I know one can never tell, but I'm relatively certain my interests are set.</p>

<p>It's now between USC and Berkeley. But it's May 1, and I am totally and completely stuck.</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>

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<p>Question: Do you see yourself needing any kind of "hand-holding" (from professors, advisors, resident assistants, financial aid officers, mental health, etc...) to make it through your first year or two? Berkeley will not provide this, for the most part. It's a great university, but its size requires students who are independent, can guide themselves on a path and can recover from missteps on their own or with very little support. (My S is a second-year student there; he's happy with the university experience but is a very independent, self-directed student who would be very unhappy at USC.) Plus, if you are not an adventurous sort, being far from family AND at this type of university might be too overwhelming.</p>

8

<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>></p>

<p>If either school finds out you've double deposited, you risk having your admissions rescinded. (Probably less likely with Cal). However, if you absolutely can not decide today, call the admissions offices of both schools, explain your confusion, and ask if they could give you an extra week to make up your mind. That would be a better choice.</p>

<p>However, deep in your heart, you already know what you want to do. You just don't want to give up the other option. That's understandable, but you can only attend one school. Asking for more and more input from others won't make the decision for you - it will only confuse you more. Another week (or two or three or four) also won't change much. Do you really want to continue going back and forth and driving yourself crazy?</p>

<p>So, listen to your heart, take a deep breath, and make your choice NOW, rather than drawing this out. It is time, and you will feel so much better when you do so. Then, don't look back. Look forwards. You WILL make a good choice.</p>

9

<p>Choose USC.</p>

<p>(I was just thinking you needed an old guy to tell you what to do. Political science is going to be a wash, but Berkeley has nothing like Annenberg.)</p>

10

<p>bad parents, bad! :)</p>

<p>Actually, the grading at Cal in the humanities and social sciences is not as competitive as in the intro "hard" sciences, so grades should not be an determining factor. If J-school is the real deal, then 'SC is the way to go. But, the vast majority of students change their major 2-3 times while in college; if that is a remote possibility, expand your horizons and go north since you don't seem to be a great social fit for the Trojan Family -- alumni network is awesome, however, and would help in finding jobs.</p>

<p>btw: USC also has large intro classes, and both schools have much smaller classes in upper division courses.</p>

11

<p>Hi, IC. Here I am, cheerleader extraordinaire. (Thanks, Pesto.) </p>

<p>First, the advice you get against studying journalism undergrad is good advice, at least as an undoubled major. </p>

<p>TheMom is a director-level employee at UCLA and we are in agreement that as good as the UC's are, they simply don't offer the opportunities that Smith does. This is not a blanket statement that would apply to all students but it certainly did for our D and in our case we felt the difference in cost, not that we absorb all of it due to FinAid, was justified.</p>

<p>But given everything you've said, if it's truly down to Cal vs. USC, it's Berkeley and don't give it a second thought, in my book.</p>

12

<p>any updates after so many years? what’s the out-coming? Today, I’m facing same problem? USC Anneberg vs Mt Holyoke vs Winconsin-Madison. All opinions are welcomed.</p>