USC or Berkeley

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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I posted this on the Berkeley forum, so I thought I’d post it here as well. Any tips or suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Hi guys, so basically I was accepted to UC Berkeley for Spring 2016 and USC for fall 2015, both for political economy as a junior transfer student. I had a hard time deciding between the 2 so I paid the deposit for both schools in order to buy some time. But now that it is nearing the start of the fall semester, I think it’s time I stop being so fickle and make a decision. I was wondering if you guys can help me out in choosing a school to attend?

So first, the cost of attendance: I am an out of state student so I can’t pay in-state tuition at Berkeley. After looking at my financial aid packages, Berkeley will set me back around $43,000 a year while USC will only set me back about $15,000 a year. Money is not a huge issue (still an issue to a certain extent), but is it really worth it to spend almost thrice as much at Cal for it’s academics and prestige?

Next thing to consider is that I’m a fall 2015 admit for USC but a spring 2016 admit for Cal. I know one semester is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but I’m worried that it may be hard to adjust and make friends since every body is already there for a semester.

I hope to attend grad school in the future, hopefully for a masters in education or an MBA. Would it be harder to get into a good program if I attend Berkeley considering the whole grade deflation thing? But on the other hand, I can’t find any statistics on USC’s job placement rate or grad school rate and I’m worried that USC will not prepare me for grad school. Is it harder to get to know professors at Cal who can write a letter of rec for me, since the classes are much bigger?

I’ve heard people say that they regret transferring to Berkeley but I have never heard anyone say the same about USC. I’m not one who can study 24/7 nor am I extremely smart, how will I fare at Cal? I heard that networking is not as great at Cal compared to USC, but Cal graduates seem to get hired more.

I like Cal’s prestige, but I’m not sure if I’ve got what it takes to be successful there. I like USC’s atmosphere but I’m afraid I will regret not attending Cal. Anyone have any suggestion on where I should attend and why? Thank you in advance.

TL;DR: Cal for $43,000 a year or USC for $15,000 a year?

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Ok, I will confess to knowing nothing about a political economy degree and exactly what you do with that. I do however, have 3 college students in various fields and another in line to go, so have certainly done my share of decisions and reflecting. All I find myself thinking as I read your question is, “What, are you kidding?” I mean this in the nicest way. Paying 43K for a big public school where you question if you will fit in, or 15K for (ableit also big) well regarded private school in LA seems like a simple problem to solve. These questions are always funny because there are plenty of people that choose to spend $65K to attend USC over instate tuition at UCB…wish we all had trading cards to use in this college selection game. Imo there would be no question - go to USC in the fall. (I don’t like the spring start at any school, too awkward, moreso as a junior transfer with limited time there.) The UCs (even UCB and UCLA) in their current state have zero appeal to our family. But that’s me, so let’s ask you some things…

Do you like LA and the USC campus? Is the only thing you are hung up on the perceived prestige? Is the degree program at UCB so much better or are you just saying the prestige of the school itself is better? Networking is strong at USC - the alumni network is loyal & incredible, and getting into an MBA or grad program out of USC will be no problem granted you do your part. You will also have 28K per year more to put toward that graduate degree or an apartment, car or whatever else is needed after you graduate. That’s a sweet nest egg.

I think you will be most successful at the college where you feel most comfortable going and from what you said above, I think you already know where that is. You have to be true to yourself in this decision, then you will be happy and driven to succeed. Good luck.

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@CADREAMIN Thank you so much for your insights, I really appreciate it.
I guess I wrote this on a day I was feeling pro-USC, so it may come off like I already know which school would be better for me. But honestly I’m pro-USC one day and then pro-Berkeley the next, that’s why it’s taking me so long to decide (considering fall 2015 starts in 5 weeks).
I’ve lived in LA for the past 2.5 years and it’s alright; bad traffic, good weather. Pretty neutral about the USC campus as well. I guess it’s not the prestige of Cal per se, but more of it’s excellent academics and decent job placement statistics. I’m worried that it will be harder to find a job as a USC grad, and I need work experience for an MBA.
Maybe I should add that cost isn’t a problem because my dad is willing to cover the full cost of my undergrad, and he is leaning more towards Berkeley. So if cost isn’t taken into account, would USC still be the better choice?

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Ha that is funny cause I get how you feel. Even with 2 at USC who did/are doing amazing things I have a love/hate thing with the school at times, so I get your changing feelings. Today you seem more Cal. New info does provide new perspective, I didn’t realize you lived in LA, thought you were out of state so I was factoring in the new LA experience, which isn’t relative. And let’s take cost out since dad is going the distance, way to go dad!

Have you spent time on the UCB campus, did you like the feel? Frankly it is a lot like USC in that it is located in urban grunge (USC may be more grungy actually) but similar. I know it seems like a freshman 101 perspective, but sometimes you have to go back to your gut - ignoring all these pre-conceived notions about either campus, which one feels best on you? Start there. But then, you have dad willing to shell out a ton more money and likes UCB, that would be a hard influence to ignore. Ah, I see your quandary! I wish I could tell you one is better/worse for job prospects but I don’t know if that is true - we are in Norcal and I know unemployed grads from both Cal and USC, and a few at both schools with great jobs out the door, I think many times that is determined more by the contacts you have than the school you went to. Private school connections/contacts and people take care of each other, just how it is, but Cal is so well known in it’s own way too.

Gosh, I’m not helping, sorry. Here’s a simple test. Twenty years from now you are sitting in an office or at a bar, or standing in an elevator and someone asks you where you went to college. What do you want to tell them?

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I should add, we chose USC over UCB for engineering (and many would be what??? to that decision) because we wanted the private school flexibility - being able to change majors, double major, know your professors, less jungle, that kind of thing that is important when you are a freshman. And it has worked out wonderfully for my engineer. The great thing is the contacts he has made at USC for future business ventures and connections has been out of this world, they really are a community there (even with USC getting way too big). But choice is very individual and I truly believe you will do the best where YOU feel best to be. Both schools are awesome, go where you feel the education is best.