<p>So I have the chance to attend either UCI or USC for school, and I'm really struggling to make a decision.
UCI is a pretty good university academically speaking, but lacks in the sports, school spirit, and one-on-one attention departments. It also isn't a very highly recognized school from what I understand. It's about 30k per year.
USC is one of the top ranked schools not only in the nation, but in the world. It has a massive alumni network which could facilitate job hunts in the future, and fantastic sports and educational programs. It would cost me around 45k.
If money weren't an object, I would choose USC in a heartbeat, but I have a younger brother and sister who will both go to college in a few years too, and my mom can't work so USC would be a huge burden and financial commitment...
If I knew for a fact that I could go to Irvine and knock my GEs out of the way then transfer, I would do that, but unfortunately USC has an extremely low transfer rate (about 16% acceptance) so this may be my only chance to go to USC.
Oh ya, and I'm a journalism major.
So that's my dilemma, if anyone has any advice or input it would be much appreciated, I only have a few more days to decide!</p>
<p>I’m assuming USC has not offered you any financial aid outside of loans? If so, money talks, and considering that it’s a $60k difference (over 4 years), I would take UCI in your situation. USC has a good football team, and it has a lot of school spirit to go along with it. That said, I went to UC Davis, and our football team does not hold a candle against the Pac 12 teams. Thus, there was not a whole lot of school spirit there either – at least not from the currently enrolled students, but there was some school spirit here and there, and I tried to gravitate toward those students.</p>
<p>Another thing is that most of your life happens after college, and UC Irvine is a nationally recognized school for many majors. If you go to UCI, you may have a similar experience to mine, where you will not see the true value of your education there until you’ve graduated, and then you meet people who think you are smart because you went to a UC! :)</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>P.S. I also chose not to attend Georgia Tech for grad school due to financial reasons. I have no regrets for that decision.</p>
<p>I agree if money were to be a burden I would definitely choose UCI. However USC does offer a nice financial package since it is funded privately. You might actually get a better deal at USC than UCI because the UC system is getting gutted out due to budget cuts.</p>
<p>^^I third the opinions above. If those are the costs to you after taking account of FA offers, then UCI is the way to go. Focus on internships and landing your first journalism gig and 10-15 years from now no employer is going to care where you went to school, but what work experience you have to back yourself up with.</p>