<p>so i am in WA and want to go out of state. I love big schools iwth great sports and lots of spirit...as well as amazing academics which usc and ucla seem to qualify for. </p>
<p>im having a real hard time choosing which one would fit, so any general information or OPINION on either?? everything helps!!!</p>
<p>THANKS!! <33333</p>
<p>in general UCLA is the slightly better academic school, although your particular area of study could be stronger at one or the other. However, since your applying OOS, UCLA would be very expensive, probably similar to that of USC. UCLA is also very difficult to get into OOS. USC is slightly smaller and has a lot of school spirit, as does UCLA. Although, personally i prefer UCLA over USC, not only because of academics, but location (Westwood), i would probably recomend USC to you since you are applying OOS (UCLA is extremely difficult to get into OOS and very expensive). Best way for you to tell which would fit you better both academically and socially would be to visit.</p>
<p>ok thanks! location is important definitely, is usc's campus pretty? i know its in a worse area probably than ucla but yeah..</p>
<p>I've taken tours at both schools, and UCLA is so much better. I mean USC's area is pretty ghetto, but it isn't that bad. However, UCLA's area of Westwood is probably the greatest place on earth. And UCLA's campus is so much nicer.</p>
<p>I really didn't like USC's campus. I mean it has a lot of tradition and some buildings are nice, but the whole thing didn't appeal to me. The campus is gated and there is so much traffic around that it is hard to get on campus...also the dorms on the edge of campus have bars on the windows. And the grounds were a little dirty, but not too bad. All in all, it isn't that bad, but it could be better.</p>
<p>As for sports they are about equal. I mean USC attracts more people, but a lot of their fans are just bandwagon fans who like the school just because their winning.</p>
<p>I suggest applying to both, and if you get into both visit and decide which one is better for you. But if you have to choose one I would choose UCLA (if your stats are amazing), but if your grades aren't too great, than apply to USC. </p>
<p>Good Luck and if you have anymore questions I'll do my best to answer them.</p>
<p>UCLA is in westwood, which borders Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Bel Air, etc. The area is truly remarkable. One of my favorite campuses. USC, while the campus is pretty, is in an interesting neiborhood. Not the best or safest of areas, although it seems to have improved as of late. Location is deff a plus for UCLA. But on a downside for UCLA for you is not only OOS tuition and difficulty of admission, but large class sizes. USC classes will likely be smaller, with slightly more personalized attention. I dont know if that matters to you. You really need to go visit the two campuses. To me, UCLA is amazing, and USC didnt do a lot for me. I think it was not only the main quad at UCLA with Royce Hall and Powell Library, but the surrounding areas. In my opinion, it is the best part of LA, and parts of LA can get pretty shady.</p>
<p>Remember, USC and UCLA are both quite difficult to get into. And OOS for UCLA is very very tough.</p>
<p>thanks guys! or girl ahha. but socal--- i have good grades(4.0 uw) but not so good sats right now (im trying to get them up my second time with some hard core studying lol) and pretty good ec's and sports awards and stuff. so maybe usc is better- i have heard non- uc schools are easier to get into OOS..dunno though. but yeah la's campus definitely appeals.
maybe ill just stick to uw where i can get in haha.</p>
<p><33</p>
<p>University of Washington is also a very beautiful school. And is very academically respected (especially for bio and pre-med). In state tuition at UW seems like a pretty good idea to me, unless you can get into a top 10 institution of something that would possibly be worth the tuition difference. I simply dont think OOS state UCLA tuition or USC tuition is worth the difference when you have a highly regarded instate tuition school like UW at your fingertips. But thats just my two cents. I also love So Cal. San Diego and Los Angeles are great places. But having a world class university in a great city like Seattle for in state tuition sounds pretty good to me.</p>
<p>yeah, i guess i need to be more appreciative haha. i was thikning though, if i do end up doing premed that i would come back to uw for medical school because its supposedly easier to get into that way... i dunno.</p>
<p>well, if southern california is where you want to be, and you have the money or dont mind paying back the extra loans associated with going to UCLA OOS or USC, then i say apply and see if you get in. You only live once. And if those are your dream schools, then go for it! At USC you may get some sort of scholarships as well. Who knows, it may end up being a lot more affordable than we are speculating. Best of luck! One other thought, USC is not the best school in terms of their pre med (bio department). Not nearly as highly ranked as UCSD, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Stanford in California. I believe even UCI and UCD are ranked higher in bio. That being said, there is significantly more grade inflation at USC which would be helpfull when applying to med schools. Pre-med (bio) at schools like UCSD and UCLA is cut-throat and their is grade deflation which can hurt applicants to med school.</p>
