USC/ UCLA/ UCSD... Can't decide!

<p>@bluebayou</p>

<p>Well UCLA better have a ****ing amazing social scene then if it’s worth $15k worth of debt. Just my opinion. Obviously my opinion doesn’t mean anything.</p>

<p>I’m guessing you have a decent amount of AP credits to which you can use to enter UCLA or UCSD, or maybe USC, with at least pretty decent standing, or you will have by the time you graduate hs.</p>

<p>See if you can knock some of the breath requirements out of the box, which will free up more engineering classes for you.</p>

<p>The good thing about AP is you can use them to graduate early. I’ve known of people who’ve graduated in three years because of AP and a pushed up sched, and gone on to law school, etc. But their primary education professionally was grad school, so they chose to use the APs to help them obtain their baccalaureates quicker.</p>

<p>But the AP credits aren’t included in the your cap units to graduate if you so choose, so there’s a possible double benefit: you can knock breath courses out, but not have accumulated units toward graduation to free some up for more engineering classes. And add that you can try to push the caps beyond the 180 minimum units, but don’t push it too far or they’ll kick you out.</p>

<p>These are just some thoughts to help you becaues you are worried about professional viability with a just a bac engineering degree.</p>

<p>I agree that a four-year engineering degree probably doesn’t touch the knowledge base that it should. That’s why MS/PHD programs probably are what you’re looking for eventually.</p>

<p>And I would ask someone in counseling whether the things I wrote above are absolutely correct. </p>

<p>Best of luck…</p>

<p>My son got into both UCLA and UCSD among a number of other schools for engineering. Just to show you how different opinions can be, we actually felt that UCSD was superior to UCLA on all fronts. We did the tours of both schools over the weekend and the schools were very different. UCSD was more informal, more modern, extremely welcoming, and seemed very cutting edge. UCLA was far more formal (every prof wore a suit and tie), and the all seemed much “older” and stuffier than the UCSD staff. They also seemed preoccupied with all their awards. They had an astronaut speak today which was really cool – but, we couldn’t help notice that she got her PhD at UCSD!! Our whole family fell asleep during the UCLA presentations for EE. When it was over, my son said, “Well, this school is off the list…” Funny, UCLA is a beautiful campus. But it did not “click” for him.</p>

<p>With regards to USC, I told my son it would be OK if he wanted to apply for it, but I would not pay for it. I have taught at both USC and UCLA in the past and I found the administration at USC so difficult to deal with that I will not have anything to do with that school. I taught a 7 week intensive finance and entrepreneurship Summer Business Institute for 80 “at risk” inner-city kids at USC and they treated my kids like criminals. They followed us with security escorts and refused to allow my kids to interact with students. Everyday was miserable and we felt completely unwelcome. 6 of my boys went the to the McDonalds across the street from the science center at USC for lunch one day and they got mugged! No joke, the police had to come on campus to have my kids identify the culprits after they were caught. </p>

<p>Right now my kid is down to two final choices. UCSD or Cal Poly SLO. Next week is the Cal Poly open house – can’t wait to see what they will offer.</p>

<p>I’ve noticed your posts on UCLA’s board propping CPSLO. It should be propped as it has excellent sciences, engineering, etc.</p>

<p>But between you and SLO’s administation, there’s a very strong public relations involved in getting the word out how good its engineering program (or generally how good the school is) and how successful SLO’s grads are in the workforce: eg, your promotions of the school; SLO’s reference of Payscale data. </p>

<p>Your posts are highly valuable, but also highly anecdotal and probably don’t apply to everyone. </p>

<p>The school chooses to reference a survey which is terribly flawed, and its site references Payscale as if SLO grads are more successful than UCLA’s (and generally compares them favorably to other state and UC schools). They aren’t… SLO has to realize UCLA sends ~ 65% of its baccalaureates to grad school, which disqualifies them for Payscale’s data, and two, Payscale is not a “snapshot” of bac-degree-recipient earnings by university because its survey is too passive in its information gathering. </p>

<p>In reference to your post here:</p>

<p>– It’s too anecdotal. We know your family (son) had its (his) mind made up on SLO or (now) SD, so your detailing…‘falling asleep’… obviously sounds contrived and dubious, effects for an exaggerated putdown. You just had your mind made up as by your also referencing ‘cutting edge’ v ‘preoccupied with their awards,’‘older,’ ‘stuffier,’ ‘suit and ties,’ ‘formal,’ etc. </p>

<p>– UCLA’s trying to sell the kids on undergrad engineering not grad school, in reference to the astronaut having her PHD from SD.</p>

<p>– Wrt the point above, Irwin Jacobs isn’t a grad of UCSD at any level, but yet its E school references his name because he’s given > $100M to the school (as Qualcomm is based in SD). Samueli is a grad (BS/MS/PHD) of UCLA and the E school references his name (also UCI’s). So we can say SD benefitted from geography (as did UCI).</p>

<p>– Wrt the point above this, your referencing ‘cutting edge,’ Jacobs is a former prof; Samueli still has his professorship at UCLA (and UCI).</p>

<p>– The OP appears to be from the SD area. A lot of SD students aren’t into UCSD because of its rep for being Socially Dead, and as a consequence, they want to get away. A lot of this is undoubtedly overstated, exaggerated.</p>

<p>– Wrt just above, generally undergrad is just undergrad, so comfort and fit should be an important factor. Both UCLA and SD have great placement into top grad schools, so the OP shouldn’t worry.</p>

<p>– Wrt USC, I’m sure the school has changed, or at least I hope it has, in addition to your post being anecdotal again. Maybe just an uncommon, very bad, very unfortuante experience on your part. They’ve obviously beefed up security, so muggings across the street at McDonald’s would be less likely to occur.</p>

<p>King:</p>

<p>like all criteria for selecting a college, social fit is personal. The extra cost may not be worth it to you, but for someone who is into D1 sports and spend a Saturday afternoon watching football, it maybe worth it. It doesn’t have to be “amazing.” SD works for you, I take it. GREAT. But, as drax points out above, SD has a less-than-stellar reputation for social stuff. Neither good nor bad. Neither amazing nor not…</p>

<p>OsakaDad’s kid really liked it when he visited. Awesome that he found a place that he will feel comfortable for four years. I know other kids who have really enjoyed their SD experience. But I also know others that absolutely hate it. (They only stay for the $$ – Regents and guaranteed med admission.) </p>

<p>Academically, they are not any different. But personally, I like sports and school spirit and the cost differential would be worth it to me. I’m also not a fan of SD’s “College” system. But that should be offset by UCLA’s triple dorm rooms.</p>

<p>The other thing for the OP is the chance to get away from home. I’m a big fan of putting distance between college and home. LA is farther away.</p>

<p>@ drax12</p>

<p>I totally agree that my postings are highly anecdotal. Especially the one from last night after two exhausting days of campus tours. Good call – people that read my postings should be aware that much of my opinions are based on feelings rather than empirical data.</p>

<p>At this stage of the game where all the competitors are so close in reputation and excellence, it comes down to a gut feeling decision at the end. UCLA excellent school that I thoroughly enjoyed teaching at. UCSD - beautiful place great feel. USC - no problem, great school, good reputation and certainly a top competitor – just not for us.</p>

<p>So, to all those who read my comments, please take what I say with a grain of salt and some serious skepticism. Please research your choices thoroughly and good luck. I hope that I did not degrade the thread with my off the cuff posting.</p>

<p>^^^ Lots of valuable info, everyone, even if it is a bit opinionated. I don’t think anyone meant to discredit SD, but it really just isn’t for me. I’m pretty sure this is between UCLA and USC.</p>

<p>My question “where should I go?” is much too broad, so can anyone help me choose solely in terms of opportunities and potential, also taking into account finances?</p>

<p>Important factors to me:
*flexibility of schedule (see below)
*ability to take lots of extra courses, particularly in engineering (also some in business/management,entrepreneurship)
*research opportunities, internship connections, funding for independent projecs
*grad school opportunities
*quality of engineering education
*job opportunities (assuming I stop at BS)</p>

<p>USC- 16K a year, my parents can probably contribute 8K and I may win a few thousand in scholarships (which would also apply to UCLA).</p>

<p>UCLA- 10K a year (plus a few thousand possibly in scholarships). I am worried about tuition increasing.</p>

<p>TheLinsk:</p>

<p>Professionally, what do you want to do? </p>

<p>Do you want, say, chip design, more pure engineering or do you want, say, venture cap, with, say, specialization in engineering firm/company investments?</p>

<p>If you want more pure engineering, I think, jmo, that taking bus classes won’t help you now, esp, since you want to possibly delay graduation for as many upper div E classes as possible. I’d just go for engineering and forget about the bus classes. You could do this later. </p>

<p>But again, jmo…</p>

<p>@bluebayou</p>

<p>I see what you’re saying, but I just think it’s a lot of money just for an upgrade in social scene. If the OP really wants to go to UCLA then great. There’s no point in wasting your money going somewhere you really don’t want to go. It just seems a little bit of a ridiculous statement to me but it’s fine. That’s just me. I also don’t see the problem with UCSD’s college system. It’s really no different than being at any other university.</p>

<p>I’d choose UCLA! but that’s just me :stuck_out_tongue: good luck!</p>

<p>^ Honestly drax, I need to be in a leadership position, and I do have big aspirations (oftentimes unrealistic). That said, I want to learn everything I would as a “pure” engineer. I am only as valuable as my ability to contribute to creative and technical innovations in the real world, and I’m just very curious about how things work. I am willing to take extra engineering courses and study independently to supplement my education, but I do want at least SOME exposure to business classes.</p>

<p>Your responses are very interesting and worth taking into consideration, however. Do you have a preference of school for “pure” engineering? And are you in the industry?</p>

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<p>Obviously I have preferences, which I’m glad you weren’t able to catch onto by now, lol.</p>

<p>The question is, between UCLA and USC, which would be the best for you? I"m sure in the checklist that you provided, the one that would best provide what you are looking for wouldn’t be tilted to one or the other for each specfic line item. </p>

<p>UCLA would provide you a better impetus towards grad school. USC would provide you with a better dual program of engineering/bus, because they accepted you to this program. As for the others, you should ask the UCLA and USC boards the very details within each’s engineering program and to find which you find is favored for each within this list. </p>

<p>UCLAbandmom recommended that you direct your questions to a person named flopsy. USC undoubtedly has someone too, to answer your specfic questions.</p>

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<p>Not at all…</p>

<p>I do have family members and know people who are, though, and they’ve given me information on practices, etc, within the industry.</p>

<p>Hopefully, too someone will address your questions here and give you greater input towards your decision. </p>

<p>And sorry to have somewhat hijacked your thread because this thread should be more about you and your specific needs.</p>

<p>Best of Luck… (I only say this with intent to finish my participation in this thread as I said before. ;))</p>

<p>Ucla is worth the 15 K USC is NOT - go to UCLA</p>

<p>^ Any reasons for this or just personal preference?</p>

<p>Its based on quality/rankings and faculty. If I understand USC is 30K more than UCSD right? UCLA is marginally worth 15K more and is a higher quality institution than USC who’s rankings are more a recent phenomenon. USC was not a reputable institution just 20 years ago, but has improved its academic profile significantly over the past 10-15 years. UCLA has had a longer reputable persona. The reason why I would consider justifying 15K more for UCLA than UCSD is more quality of the “Big U” experience that UCSD simply does not have. At the end of the day, speaking strictly academics - UCSD would be a fine choice.</p>

<p>Well I’m still conflicted. If anyone has a suggestion, please make a solid argument for one school or the other so I can be better prepared to make my decision :P</p>

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<p>geesh, I thought this kind of stuff was over with in areas around USC years ago…</p>

<p>^ That’s the least of my concerns… just trying to focus on academic quality.</p>

<p>^Nothing against USC, but where you’re going to be living for the next 4 years is important. You don’t want to be miserable somewhere even if it is academically reputable. This isn’t just against USC, but a general statement. You really have to see yourself being wherever you decide to go.</p>