<p>My daughter is trying to decide between usc and ubc. Any thoughts or advice?</p>
<p>What college is ubc? </p>
<p>Edit: Google seems to indicate it’s University of British Columbia? Some university no one outside of Canada has heard of. The choice is clear.</p>
<p>My family and I spend a lot of time in Whistler/Vancouver during ski season, so are familiar with UBC because of the locals. It is a really big deal, and a big name that will definitely take her far throughout Canada because it is so well known there.</p>
<p>However, if she wants to stay in the USA for a long while or to settle down in the USA, I think that USC would be the superior choice in “name-brand” between those two choices. However, many people in Canada may not know USC in the same way most Americans do not know UBC (largely because of most Americans’ ignorance about most things, which seems only to expand as soon as they’re asked to think outside of our national borders). Because of the quality of both institutions, I do not doubt that she would be surrounded by very bright kids at both schools. However, I think that USC may also be superior in the educational aspect because of the small professor to student ratio and its private institution status. I also think the fact that it is private rather than public also means that the alumni network will be much stronger, a private/public school divide which is only exemplified by the fact that USC is kind of a large lovable cult/family. There really is nothing quite like the Trojan network. If your daughter wants to settle in the USA, in CA especially, could use more individual attention, and wants to have a super dynamic atmosphere, I definitely think she could go to USC if price is not an issue. If price is an issue with UBC being much cheaper as a public institution and she has no huge want to settle down in the USA, I think that you’re daughter should go to UBC. However, if she is interested in the fields of business, film, communications, aerospace engineering, publicity, biotechnology, technology, video game development, etc, industries California is known for, that definitely should factor into the decision. It may also be a great learning and growth opportunity to be an international student in a new country. I know loving both California and the west coast of Canada that the culture is actually very different though the language is the same, and it might be mind-expanding for your daughter to live down here for a little while if she is mature enough and wants the jump. Its ultimately a personal decision with many factors: but do not let the relative unknown nature of UBC to Americans make you waffle at choosing UBC. I did not apply as I have a deep love for California, but would have loved to go there for the city and the skiing, as well as for the fantastic education it provides.</p>
<p>As with the other “vs” thread that appeared today, I have to ask why this question is being asked AFTER the May 1st commitment deadline has passed??? Has your daughter committed to both schools?</p>
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<p>How wonderfully narrow-minded and provincial. The University of British Columbia is world-known university. While I normally hate rankings, it’s worth noting that the Times of London Higher Education World University Rankings places UBC 30th in the world, the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) places them 39th and the Financial Times (think worldwide Wall Street Journal) ranks the UBC MBA program 57th in the world. Simply based on that data, the choice truly is clear.</p>
<p>I agree with alamemom, why are you asking this question after the May 1 commitment date?</p>
<p>I also agree with SC2013’s assessment of the two schools with one minor addition; USC is a clear choice if your daughter is interested in film/TV, however, there’s a fairly large film/TV industry in Vancouver so there are more opportunities in that industry than your typical non-Los Angeles choice.</p>
<p>Just adding that a non-US student may not be able to get a job in the US post-graduation. If your D is intending to move to US eventually, does she have a plan for this? If she is planning to stay in Canada, would she make better contacts for post-grad employment studying at UBC?</p>
<p>If you are making the decision without regard for costs and location factors, USC is a much different experience. Private universities have a vested interest in graduating max number of students and there are many opportunities for help, supports and guidance in place. </p>
<p>We’re all curious about the commit date, though.</p>
<p>agree… in fact UBC is ranked higher than USC in most of
the world college rankings… Whether these “beauty contests” rankings
are meaningful to you or not…</p>
<p>It’s as major university of the Canada west
as UToronto is of the East.</p>
<p>Regardless of the reputation and rankings,
if candidate wish to stay in Canada for long term,
then UBC networking should be an advantage.</p>