USC or UCLA...need to decide soon!!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am currently debating about weather to attend USC or UCLA. I am in-state for UCLA. </p>

<p>Here are the Pros of each: </p>

<p>USC: </p>

<ol>
<li>Better networking</li>
<li>Smaller classes (and I got into Thematic Option which makes the classes even smaller; i.e. 15 students)</li>
<li>Better for what I want to study (political science,history, maybe econ)</li>
<li>Nicer dorms than UCLA</li>
<li>Easier to graduate in 4 or maybe even 3 years (I have lots of AP credits)</li>
</ol>

<p>UCLA:
1. Most likely cheaper (We're having trouble getting an award from USC due to some personal concerns but we do have a significant amount of assets so that may be a problem). We won't have to take out any loans for UCLA but we will (Stafford) for USC.
2. I want to go to MBA/law school so Im trying to avoid debt. (note: If I decide to to the MBA route the networking of USC should be to my advantage. However, if I decide to do the law route, the costs of UCLA would definitely be beneficial).
3. Nicer area. </p>

<p>Cons of USC</p>

<ol>
<li>Costs</li>
<li>Bad area</li>
</ol>

<p>Cons of UCLA
1. not good networking.
2. UCs are losing more and more money.
3. Harder to graduate in 4 years.
4. Dorms are getting remolded and most are in triples (really don't want a triple). </p>

<p>What do you think would be a better choice?</p>

2

<p>I think if USC comes down to the same price of UCLA, or cheaper, or you’re family can actually afford it without having to sacrifice their lifestyle or savings for retirement, you should opt for USC. You have the benefit of the thematic option.</p>

3

<p>UCLA is actually the stronger school for what you want to study (political science, history, econ), but it sounds like you prefer USC. Go with USC unless it is too expensive for your family.</p>

4

<p>“debating about weather to attend USC or UCLA”</p>

<p>You said weather.</p>

5

<p>Congratulations on getting into two great schools!</p>

<p>If you are still undecisive at this late date, perhaps you are over analyzing the choice. Go with your gut feeling on where you feel the happiest. Or to make the choice really simple, do you prefer blue & gold or red & gold? Whichever it is, you will be seeing a lot of it next year. ;)</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

6

<p>what liek0806 said. </p>

<p>How much loan are we talking about? I would think if you can get USC for $10k or less additional per y ear over UCLA, the thematic option would be worth that. Without Thematic Option, I would reco UCLA straight up.</p>

7

<p>Per your prior posts, it sounds like you’ve already made up your mind, ‘… 90% I’m going there,” to USC, etc. Go there, and don’t even look back, don’t worry about it, especially since you addressed it so late on this message board.</p>

<p>But to address some of your pros for USC (for UCLA cons, you pretty much just list the anti-USC “advantages” so I’ll just address the things you addressed as pro-USC for some balance):</p>

<p>

</p></li>
<li><p>A private university undoubtedly tends to have better networking because people there need to justify generally having paid a lot more tuition to attend. Generally those who attend public university tend to be less attached.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>But wrt law, there are so many more UCLA undergrad CA bar-certified attys – in case you go JD degree: 19K+ compared to USC’s 7K+. (To adjust for undergrad enrollment the ratio is USC: UCLA, 1:1.5 for undergrads).</p>

<p>I wouldn’t work in Century City if you have enormous Trojan pride as an atty if I were you. There a lot, lot more UCLA grads practicing law there than USC’s (close to UCLA, a lot of UCLA grads point to CC as a place to practice.)</p>

<p>OC…Newport/Irvine/Costa Mesa, might be better for you, but Bruins are well represented there also at larger firms.</p>

<p>And wrt higher finance, there are a lot of UCLA grads with MBAs, as well, as I’m sure as USC’s, though USC has a true undergrad bus program and undoubtedly has a lot of these grads who forsake grad school. </p>

<p>But wrt higher finance and law the alumni connection seems to dissipate because the firms are larger, and school nepotism is not something that would be as viable. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>True even without the honors option at USC. But generally, USC would have large classes too, becaues the undergrad enrollment is large – USC is what, the second largest private university in the nation? – but the honors program sounds like something that will undoubtedly benefit you. No real dispute here.</p></li>
<li><p>I would dispute USC having better programs in the majors you listed, but the important thing is you believe it to be true, so that’s all that matters. And if someone wanted to quote from whatever publication that UCLA has better programs in the listed, just remember that publication listings can be subjective too. How does someone quantify that so-and-so university has better programs than another? It’s impossible and you’ll find great profs just about anywhere. </p></li>
<li><p>To the contrary, I think UCLA’s dorms are nicer. UCLA is on a dormitory building program, and here are a couple Youtube videos, one from [url= <a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkkKy5KBlAI&feature=related]UCLA[/url”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkkKy5KBlAI&feature=related]UCLA[/url</a>], the other from [url=<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cjuL91kZIw&NR=1]USC[/url”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cjuL91kZIw&NR=1]USC[/url</a>]. These were some of the latest ones I could find. There’s more at youtube search, “UCLA dorms,” and “USC dorms.” But since you want a double instead of a triple – which may not be a choice if you went UCLA – UCLA’s situation would indeed be problematic for you. So I think you reasoned well with this in mind.</p></li>
<li><p>Graduating in three years at USC might be easier. UC in general is trying to find ways for those like you who want a three-year education, and either way, you’ll have to attend summer school. At UCLA, you can graduate < four if you do go diligently to summer sessions. Also, I’m not sure how many units you can attain at both schools by having loads of AP, and maybe enter in past a lot of your frosh classmates.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>All in all, I think your reasoning is well thought out for you, if not necessarily correct on a more objective basis, but the important thing is you did hash them out as to your own needs. BOL…</p>

8

<p>… found [this</a> video](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaQOuYd-lQs]this”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaQOuYd-lQs), which I thought was pretty funny in regard to the rivalry between the two schools, despite the co-ed who would make the Tilly sisters proud with her voice. Watch the language in the comments section; I just wish youtube would edit these more, put stars in place of letters, etc.</p>

9

<p>UCLA is the superior institution ESPECIALLY in Poli Sci and History (top 10 nationally in both) as well as econ (unless you are talking Marshall). And its cheaper. This is a no brainer. UCLA></p>

10

<p>I agree with vociferous here. UCLA is very strong in your areas of interest (much moreso than USC), and is also the better institution overall.</p>