<p>Alright, some of you guys might remember me from the Explore on March 5 - 6. I anticipated that I would need to make this decision and here it is. Why should I go to USC instead of Cal? Which would get me a better job coming out of undergrad? Which would help me get into grad school? Which would offer me a better collegiate experience? etc etc. All of your input is appreciated!</p>
<p>if it had been any other major, i would have said the college experience at Berkeley would have been comparable to USC's...but, you said ECE and that changes everything haha. Berkeley's ECE program is considered one of the top in the nation, if almost exclusively for the fact that it's almost over-the-top competitive/difficult. so chances are while a lot of the other majors are out "experiencing college," you'll be doing calculus/physics problem sets just to stay on top of the ridiculously steep curves. my friend at UCB took a calculus II class with engineers and he always complained about how how hard everyone worked just trying to be on top. if this is something you don't mind (i.e., you are extremely motivated), then this shouldn't be too much of a problem and a Berkeley EE degree would open lots of doors.</p>
<p>...that said...i'm a freshman EE at USC. the USC EE program isn't far behind Berkeley at all, and despite it's high status, it lacks the same overly-competitive feeling. while i definitely had to bust my ass in calculus II, it was anything but competitive and everyone helped each other do problem sets, computer projects, etc. going through the class was hell but it was immensely rewarding at the end. and despite all the work, i always had time to party, go to concerts, or just enjoy myself in general. i very seriously doubt a Berkeley EE degree will open many more doors than a USC EE degree (almost any EE degree from any top college will be highly regarded), and USC has the Trojan Family going for it.</p>
<p>at the very least, visit both campuses. both have a very different feel and see which you like better. if one campus just doesn't feel right in general, i'd say that's a bad sign almost regardless of academic considerations. you're a living human being first, a student second, you shouldn't put yourself in a place you wouldn't want to be for 4 years. and i can see how for some people, they just wouldn't want to spend 4 years at USC. but that's not often the case ;)</p>
<p>I've actually visited both schools and I loved the feel at both. I could definitely see myself happy at either place. Ai yarr decisions...</p>
<p>come on wes. where you been? you know you wanna go to usc with your explore roommate!</p>
<p>At Cal there is a high drop out rate in the EE major. Some people are not admoitted directly into the major and don't know until end of soph year. At least at USC you start off right with the major and know you are in.
I wonder about the drop out rate in EE at USC?</p>
<p>dean opray told us that 87% of freshman who start in engineering graduate with a bachelors in engineering.</p>
<p>Futureholds: Wrong info! EECS majors ARE accepted into the major at Cal and the drop out rate is NOT high!</p>
<p>Why should I go to USC instead of Cal? </p>
<p>CAL EECS is a lot better than USC on Ph.D. level, and they also have great reputation for the undergraduate program.</p>
<p>Which would get me a better job coming out of undergrad? </p>
<p>You will definitely get the same kind of job no matter which one you go. </p>
<p>Which would help me get into grad school? </p>
<p>Cal can give you some edge, but a lot of USC students went to top schools for graduate degrees.</p>
<p>Which would offer me a better collegiate experience?</p>
<p>I would have to say USC.</p>
<p>Engineering school rankings are not that important for undergrad anyways. You will learn the same things at Cal as you will at USC. The difference can be seen when we begin to talk about graduate programs because that is where the cutting edge research is done. Besides - USC engineering is fairly well regarded. I would advocate against Cal for engineering (too hellish) and I would only suggest USC if money is not an issue. I am a grad student there and I have a full scholarship through my work.</p>
<p>Academically, Cal EECS is absolutely outstanding. Here in Silicon Valley, an EECS degree from Cal will get you much further than one from USC.</p>
<p>When you factor in the entire college experience, things may get a bit murky and you'll have to visit both places and get a sense of the social, cultural, political, spiritual, etc. angles that appeal to you. Both colleges are in urban neighborhoods - most people I have spoken with rate Cal's neighborhood as safer, but that's a relative measure.</p>
<p>I'll limit my recommendation to say that if you are academically inclined, you should seriously consider Cal.</p>
<p>Will an undergrad degree from Cal really mean the same as USC's in terms of job placement? I heard Cal students usually don't have to go to grad school after EECS because it's already so specified?</p>
<p>Also, yes, I am very academically inclined. That's why I have already submitted my SIR for Cal :).</p>
<p>What does "Cal" stand for? I'm guessing Caltech, but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>UC Berkeley = Cal</p>
<p>
[quote]
What does "Cal" stand for? I'm guessing Caltech, but I could be wrong.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>University of California @ Berkeley.
UC Berkeley
UCB
Berkeley
Cal Berkeley
Cal</p>
<p>all the same thing</p>
<p>The reason is UC Berkeley was the first campus in the University of California system. It was the only University of California around until other universities opened.</p>
<p>Thanks for informing me :) I would have understood "UCB" or just Berkeley, but "Cal" just really made me wonder.</p>
<p>nooo When I say Cal, I mean Cal Poly Pomona.</p>