<p>I got into both programs but I was wondering which one is better. I'm afraid that Berkeley is going to be too rigorous (I find high school hard) and that it is not a private school. But I know UC Berkeley is ranked higher and might have as good alumni network. Which one do you think (also I might have to take out loan for USC for at least first year, my dad didnt fill out FAFSA)</p>
<p>? The freshman commitment deadline has passed for both schools. Did you commit to both?</p>
<p>Did you get extensions on May 1st acceptance deadline?</p>
<p>I think it comes down to where you want to be and where you will be happy and what you want to afford. Both are good schools. Berkeley is certainly a more intense environment, not sure that it is actually that much harder or if the environment being such a pressure cooker makes it feel that way. If I had a student that struggled in HS I do not think I would want them at UCB. I know in Marshall there are a ton of opportunities, clubs, groups, internships, etc., which you will have easier access to and not be struggling trying to climb over others to get them. We had a similar choice on the engineering side and we chose private school (USC) with some debt/loans. Just love all the perks of a private school, CA is enough of a struggle with its giant population that I just don’t want my kids to deal with that part of living here yet. Also, I will tell you what a college admin person told me - beware reading too much CC, it will make you feel like no one else actually pays to go to USC (or other schools) because for some reason the majority of the people that post on here tend to be the scholarship and fafsa aid folks. Once he mentioned that I realized it is pretty true!</p>
<p>Good point on the May 1st deadline. If transfer student you have a bit more decision time, you’d be directly admitted into Haas - which is a very tough accomplishment.</p>
<p>Based on past posts, the OP appears to be a freshman applicant. Also, USC has not released transfer decisions (I don’t know about Berkeley). I hope the OP didn’t MISS the commitment deadline!</p>
<p>If OP did miss the deadline, CC to UC or USC is likely the only option. </p>
<p>:-/</p>