<p>My final choice is coming down to the two rivals, USC and UCLA. I attended the Explore USC session on Thursday and loved it. I also loved my visit to UCLA today and I'm having an incredibly hard time deciding which one comes out on top over the other.</p>
<p>UCLA is cheaper for me, and will still be cheaper even if the tuition increases 8-10% over the next few years (USC still gave me a lot of aid; it's just that the overall costs are twice more). Also, I have a considerable number of friends and other classmates attending UCLA for sure, so I know that I'll have some old friends as opposed to USC, where the only people attending from my school are a couple of girls I don't know well.</p>
<p>However, USC has offered me a Presidential Scholarship, and I've been admitted to the Freshman Science Honors program as well. I've also stayed in Birnkrant before (for a trip) and really liked it, and it just so happens that Birnkrant is the new honors college. I feel that if I attend UCLA, I'm giving up a lot that USC gave me.</p>
<p>Could some of you offer insight as to which position might be better? I'm interested in FSH but I've also heard it's very tough, so I'm not sure which one to pick. I'd greatly appreciate any help!</p>
<p>I’ll leave the predictable and ultimately boring USC-UCLA blood feud to someone else. As far as friends, I think that should be a pretty small consideration. Both schools are fairly large (SC- 17,000, UCLA - 27,000) so there will be plenty of opportunities to meet new people. In fact, I personally find the chance to meet new people one of the great benefits of going to college. If it’s of value to you, USC is more geographically diverse than UCLA so you’re more likely to find people from other areas of the country and world there.</p>
<p>As for the money issue that’s a tough one that only you can truly assess given your own financial situation. How much more will SC be than UCLA over four years? Is it significant (however you define that)? Are you planning on going on to graduate school? Will you be debt-ridden in one scenario vs. another? While I think the UC-System horror stories of cutbacks, lack of resources and therefore students needing more time to finish degree work are overblown, any additional time at UCLA would obviously narrow the cost gap (Your guess is as good as anyone’s regarding that scenario).</p>
<p>SC has offered you some great things and given those awards they obviously consider you to be a bright, accomplished student capable of even greater things. Without the financial considerations I’d say SC all the way but I’m very uncomfortable spending someone else’s money. But here’s a bit of blasphemy, while this decision seems critical now, you are choosing between two very good options and the truth is that you’re going to have a great time at college no matter where you go. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help, good luck.</p>
<p>the “it might take 9 years to graduate from UCLA” argument is just some speculative horror story perpetuated by fear mongerers who know next to nothing about UCLA’s financial situation. UCLA is actually trying to, and does, get people out as quick as possible, and their ability to do so is in fact why they’re able to admit more students.</p>
<p>as said above, they’re both good schools, now the question comes down, as it usually does, to finances. Do you think everything USC is giving you is going to be worth what it’s going to cost you? </p>
<p>that will wholly determine what school you decide to go to. I don’t think it’s worth twice as much in terms of money to go another school that’s basically ranked equally as the one that costs half as much, but they are offering you a lot of opportunities.</p>
<p>I will say that you shouldn’t pick a school based on who you know from high school is going there. College is a time to grow and develop, and staying within your old high school group confines is going to be detrimental to your happiness.</p>
<p>forget the h.s. friends. forget sports. based purely on academics, campus feel, living conditions etc…if it’s a close call then you have to go to UCLA. WHY…the $$$. I like USC a touch better (but i’m biased). But i don’t like it $10 or $20k per YEAR better. That’s a lot of like. And you can get a great education at ANY major university if you apply yourself. sounds like UCLA to me.</p>
<p>Well it also depends on what major you wanna do. I was faced with the same choices (although I’m in a different situation) and I ultimately chose USC because I feel that USC would be a better school for me since I wanna do business. Also I went to USC and fell in love with it so I’m biased and finally decided USC over UCLA. Haha. That and all the improvements that I feel will happen at USC and the budget cuts at UCLA…</p>
<p>Thanks for all your input, guys! I was admitted to USC as a Biological Sciences major (and would most likely be participating in Freshman Science Honors if I attend) and I was admitted to UCLA as a Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology major. I know for a fact that I can’t go wrong with either school in this regard.</p>
<p>UCLA hasn’t officially finalized the financial aid award yet, but if I cut my cost of living (buying used books, taking a triple instead of a single or double, etc.), I’d basically be paying $5K more at USC than at UCLA. If it were 10 or 15, I would definitely go with UCLA, but it’s pretty close. </p>
<p>Could any of you give me more insight into the problems UCLA will face with the budget? I was extremely worried at first, but the tour guide said that about 70% of undergraduates graduate in 4 years and the number has been increasing, so are a lot of these rumors about longer stay and class-cutting overblown?</p>
<p>you could easily be one of the 28% who doesn’t graduate in 4 years, at USC; and you could also be one of the 67% that does graduate within 4 years at UCLA. it all depends on the person.</p>
<p>the state budget issue is more of an unknown than most people admit. It’s a risk factor. Anyone that says they know exactly how it will impact you is lying. that said…if you’re coming from out of state…then i’d steer clear of the UC schools because the out of state tuition is being jacked way up…and you’ll still have some trouble with class sizes and class choice. If you’re in state…then you’re protected a bit more. but will still run into funding troubles… possible food service, student athletic facility upkeep, class sizes…class availability etc. No one really knows</p>