USC or UCLA?

College Search & Selection
1

I was admitted to both colleges and visited both last weekend, I was there for PAW (pride admit weekend) for UCLA and Bruin’s Day.

I’m planning to be a pre-med neuroscience major and am having a really tough time deciding between the two, but i’m leaning more towards UCLA (just got a better overall vibe from it, seems like I would fit in more), but I received no financial aid from UCLA (tuition would be ~$60,000 since I am out of state and I got the presidential scholarship from USC since I am a national merit finalist, bringing my tuition from $67,000 to $36,000). My parents are well-off and can afford UCLA, but of course they want me to go to USC because it will be cheaper. I also applied for the Freshman Science Honors Program (FSH) at USC (it’s only 1 year though) and am waiting for the decision on April 26th. If I attend UCLA I’ll probably go to the summer institute (CSI) to get a head start on my classes (6 weeks, you take 2 classes, planning to take writing and chem).

Here are my pros/cons so far:

UCLA
pros:
-best food
-safe neighborhood
-good fit for me
-well-known, worldwide reputation
-better science program (?)
cons:
-larger class sizes
-higher cost
-state school, affected by state economy

USC
pros:
-flat campus, can bike
-private school, more resources, pretty fancy
-smaller class size
-average food
cons:
-bad neighborhood
-not really a good fit for me (? I think, felt a little out of place there)
-more well-known for business, film, music than science
-reputation as party school (? don’t know how this compares to UCLA)

also, the LGBT community (size and things like that) is pretty important to me, both schools are very open and accepting obviously but I feel like it has a larger presence at UCLA. Personally, I would choose UCLA if money was not a factor but is it really worth the extra $120,000 in the long run over USC? I don’t want to feel like I’m wasting my parent’s money. The main deciding factors for me are student life and education.

What do you guys think?

2

Dude, you’re in L.A., and both schools are close to West Hollywood. Nevertheless, your primary focus should be on school, studying, eating and sleeping (alone), with an occasional social event here and there. If you’re willing to place your orientation above that kind of savings, and if fitting in must at all times feel or exist at 100 percent, then go to UCLA.

3

UCLA is not worth attending over USC if you have to pay 120K more for your degree.

4

OP, I grew up rooting for UCLA and hating USC. One of my degrees is from UCLA.

If the price was equal–which it would be for an in-state NMF (congrats!), I’d say go with your heart. If you weren’t considering med school, I’d say go with your heart. If your parents were wealthy enough that the extra $30k+ a year made no difference, I’d say go with your heart. If you absolutely hated USC, I’d say go with your heart. If there was absolutely no LGBT community at USC, I’d say go with your heart.

But none of these is really the case.

As much as love to hate USC :wink: I can also say that over the last few decades it’s really upped its academic game enormously. A motivated student will do fine there. Cut a deal with your parents that you’ll save them some big-time money on undergrad in exchange for med school support and/or an increased undergrad allowance so you can better explore the theater and dining options of downtown LA.

5

I’m a die hard UCLA fan, but go to USC. It’s cheaper, has good undergraduate science programs, and has a solid gay scene, with additional access to LA, one of the more gay friendly cities in the country. UCLA is not worth a $120,000 premium when your other option is USC.

6

I’m a die hard USC fan, go Trojans. The school has so much school pride.

7

Sounds like you are comfortable at UCLA, people who are going to love SC usually know it in their bones when they’re there.

8

Since you said you went to PAW and Bruins Day it sounds like you went to an event that was geared toward making you feel at home at UCLA. Might I ask if there was the same sort of event that you attended at USC the same weekend or did you just go on a walking tour? Hard to compare the feeling if one was a party (geared toward talking you into going there) and one was a quick visit.

Let’s address your comparison of food. Yes, a certain news magazine that rates colleges does mention UCLA’s food. USC has 3 on-campus eateries, each with a different style. Menus change weekly. You can look each of them up on the internet and see if the food is what you would like. Circling campus there is every type of quick food you can imagine such as Chipotle, In & Out Burger, a custom burger place called Built, Panda Express, Mexican restaurants, Starbucks, Tommy’s Place (on campus) for the best shake you’ve ever had, the list goes on and on. You can go to the grocery store up the street or buy from the weekly on-campus Farmer’s market. Truthfully, food takes a back seat to your education.

Like smaller classes? That means you can get more assistance from your professors. USC is known for the Trojan family and making connections that will help you in your future.

Most colleges have a party scene, USC as well as UCLA. That is the same at both. You can avoid that scene or not at either campus. I am from Southern California. My daughter goes to USC and has many friends that go to UCLA. Trust me, one is not more of a party school than the other.

Here’s something to consider. Can you graduate in 4 years from UCLA? USC has students meet with guidance counselors every semester before the next semesters’s registration. They plan out what the student has done, what they need to accomplish and keep each student extremely aware of the steps required to keep on track for a 4 year college experience. I have heard it could be longer with one of the UC’s. Look into this further. Maybe there is another thread that addresses this topic.

Do you prefer a quarter system or semester classes? USC is semester based. The last I heard UCLA is quarter-based. You may feel strongly about one versus the other.

USC has taken HUGE steps to make the area surrounding the campus safer. There are safety officers posted around the outside of campus at night. If you need a ride you can call Campus Cruiser at any time and get a ride. Each student, during Welcome Week, attends a safety session. Look up the information on Department of Public Safety on the USC website for more information on other safety programs.

LGBT organizations equally strong on both these Los Angeles campuses.

If you like museums USC is next door to Exposition Park with fantastic museums. Just thought I would mention it since you are from out-of-state.

Both colleges are wonderful and have great reputations. It is a family decision. Maybe you can do undergrad at one and medical school at the other? :slight_smile: Whatever your ultimate decision, I congratulate you on on your accomplishment. I am sure there are many students that wish they were in your shoes! Best of luck!

9

Will your parents put the $120,000 difference if you choose USC toward medical school? That can go a long way to helping you start a medical career with less financial stress.

But graduating in four years should not be an issue for a good student at UCLA, despite common claims.

10

UCLA