I was fortunate enough to be admitted to both USC and UCLA this year as an incoming freshman, and also got a merit based full tuition scholarship to USC- paying the full 49k for four years. I like UCLA and the campus more than USC and it also has a better reputation, but as an out of state student my fees would add up to 57k a year. My parents are willing to pay the tuition of UCLA if it’s where I want to go and I would graduate free of debt either way, but if I went to USC I would have a considerable amount of money waiting for me when I got out of college. I just want to know if the prestige of UCLA is worth giving up my scholarship? I like both schools but if I didn’t have the scholarship I would definitely choose UCLA. Any feedback is appreciated! I’m having a really hard time making this decision
I’m also an international student (but I currently live in the US) and plan on studying international relations or economics if that helps
USC- no debt lots of muney
In this situation, go to USC.
This is a no brainer- USC- no question!
The fact that your parents wont have to pay tuition at one of the best U’s in the country- one that is considered equally prestigious to UCLA- should be reason enough to go to USC, but as a Trustee Scholar, you will have special opportunities open to you! USC treats its’ Trustee scholars like gold.
DS was a Trustee scholar at USC and is now at Caltech - The most highly ranked research U in the world- completing his PhD. He would NOT be there if not for the support and opportunities he found at USC.
I would recommend going to USC.
If the cost was about the same, I would say UCLA. But in your case, USC is clearly the wiser choice.
If no scholarship, UCLA. But in your case, USC for sure. I think only HYPSM might be able to beat USC’s trustee scholarship.
I graduated from UCLA a long time ago but would recommend usc now. USC’s reputation is close to Ucla and it is so much more comfortable going thru a private school. I wanted USC for both kids, but neither got accepted
As a California resident, I’d urge you to read up on the clashes over funding between Gov. Brown and UC President Janet Napolitano. My sense of the UC system is that of diminishing resources and relentless pressure to boost revenues, whether through tuition hikes, service cuts, use of adjuncts, or private sector partnerships. To wit, UCLA’s Anderson School of Mgmt has been effectively privatized.
These pressures aren’t unique to the UC system, of course, but I mention it because in the past couple of years, USC has been able to poach faculty, labs and entire institutes from UCLA.
Anecdotal evidence from friends who teach or are grad students at UCLA - undergrads are wholly on their own, with very little support or handholding. Navigating administration is a hassle. Advising is hit or miss. One friend remarked that it’s a different story for student athletes, who are treated like royalty, but I think it’s no coincidence that faculty want their own kids to go to LACs.
One caveat about USC is security. USC has made some strides in beefing up campus police presence, installing cameras after recent tragic events involving Chinese grad students, but efforts to build more housing have exacerbated tensions in the surrounding community. Personally, I think West Adams is a more interesting neighborhood than Westwood, where UCLA is located. Westwood is too pricey and plasticky.
I’d have to say USC because of the full ride!
USC. Where did you get the idea that UCLA has a better reputation? Not even. Maybe if you’re going back home after school to work, but in California, USC grads get the jobs.
@maggpie @storian @winnvanmeter @YoHoYoHo @truefalse @Defensor thank you everyone for you advice!! I’m still thinking it over but at this point I am leaning very strongly towards USC
Fight On!
I think you made the right choice. USC has very strong school pride.
USC is much cheaper. That’s its strongest recommendation.
As a parent it’s interesting for me to read your description of “either way I graduate free of debt”. Please let’s not forget your parents bank account!
With the savings of going to USC (with your merit aid) you can put a huge down payment on a house. In some areas you can buy a house! Thinking of grad school? That money may come in handy.
Both schools are good but as winnvanmeter mentions above the UC’s are having some troubles. I am from So Cal. My daughter goes to USC. She has friends at UCLA. I have heard that it is not uncommon for students at the more impacted UC’s to take longer than 4 years to graduate. You may want to look into this further.
USC counselors meet with students each semester and look at their academic plan to make sure they are on track to graduate in 4 years.
Smaller class sizes, lots of food choices, museums next door, sporting events, TONS of arts-oriented events,a vibrant community and a chance to be part of the Trojan family. And for FREE. Many people would do anything to be in your shoes!
Congrats on your achievement. Good luck with your decision.
This is far overstated, and extra time is usually due to student-related factors rather than school-related factors.
But the much lower cost of USC is a very compelling point in its favor, particularly if you are considering expensive professional school afterward.
USC class sizes are usually smaller than those at UCLA, but are not necessarily small. Check the on-line schedules at each school. (Also, if the difference is between large versus huge, there is little practical difference, except that huge may have a few more TAs to ask questions of.)