<p>This is actually not for me but for a very close friend of mine.</p>
<p>He has been accepted to both USC and UCSD, and is agonizing over where to go. He received a half-tuition scholarship from USC so financially he is in approximately the same situation for both schools.</p>
<p>I was wondering of some people here could give some pros and cons of USC. I will be posting this same thread in the UCSD forum.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I think knowing his interest areas/possible majors will help people respond more specifically to your Q. Both universities are fantastic, but strength areas in the various majors and departments vary.</p>
<p>A few thoughts - If division 1 sports are important (UCSD just went Division one in basketball but won’t be competetive for awhile and no football) - choose USC. UCSD is in beautiful LaJolla while USC is downtown LA (Watts). As the above poster said - a lot depends on your major. Also, has he toured both Campuses? I think just a general “feel” for the campus and the students is important. My husband graduated from USCD and is a physician. My daughter will be going to USC for a variety of reasons (one being she loves the sports) but really liked the “college system” at UCSD, especially the Eleanor Roosevelt College where she was accepted. (Also we are out of state so the cost was the same - no benefit there.)</p>
<p>Just to clarify, USC is located in University Park which is a neighborhood on the southern end of downtown LA and isn’t close to Watts which is south and to the east in the “South Central” part of LA.</p>
<p>I have friends who went to UCSD and when I visited the first thing I noticed versus USC is that their campus is massive in size. It is way more spread out so it takes longer to get around. This is a pro/con depending on how you look at it.</p>
<p>Since he received half-tuition scholarship, I would recommend USC.</p>
<p>He should go to “Triton” day coming up this weekend at UCSD. Also keep in mind, even with %50 tuition reduction, USC will cost about $10,000 more each year so its not the bargain you might expect. My daughter was rejected from USC but was considering it only because she was expecting that scholarship, being a NMF. Personally, as a parent, I am relieved because it wasn’t such a “bargain.” And she didn’t really like the feel of the campus (too urban I think) nor the location. UCSD is ON the beach in La Jolla. D was accepted to both UCLA and UCSD as well as Cal but she does like the UCSD campus. It might also be useful to check out the individual “college” your friend was admitted to at UCSD – Muir, Thurgood Marshall, etc…</p>
<p>i love usc personally, but im always jealous of not applying to ucsd because san diego is much better for college compared to usc’s location. (rejected from usc). great options you have! im thinking ucsd might be more enjoyable</p>
<p>Neither of my sons cared for UCSD, both found it vaguely sterile and the lack of urban buzz made it feel a touch boring (but then both my kids love urban environments). Son1 liked SC but it just “wasn’t for him”. Son2 loved USC and is currently a very happy freshman. If possible revisit both and let him see if he has any gut reaction. </p>
<p>Maybe some California residents/attendees can speak to any issues regarding state funding cutbacks or ‘impacted’ majors. I don’t know how big an issue it could be for your friend but anything that extends his stay at UCSD would markedly impact any cost differences between the two schools.</p>
<p>All factors being equal, i’d choose USC. If UCSD is thousands of dollars cheaper, however, i’d go there.</p>
<p>All comments above are good. I would add this. Budgets cuts are affecting the quality of experience at UC schools. Some are taking an extra year to complete studies do to impacted class avalability. Even upper division classe have 50 to 100 students. You will be dealing with a TA more than your professor. There are long lines for every thing and busy phone lines when trying to get through. I am a UCSD graduate. I loved the experience but when son accepted to both I had no doubts about choosing USC.</p>
<p>Individuals can agree or disagree with rankings. These are from U.S. News FYI.</p>
<p>National Universities:
SC #23<br>
UCSD #37</p>
<p>Faculty student ratio
SC 1/9
UCSD 1/19</p>
<p>Impacted majors
SC None
UCSD Check this</p>
<p>ACT Mid 50%
SC 29-33
UCSD 25-31 For 2010, 2011 number not available</p>
<p>No offense, but please disregard hope4usc’s response. It lacks credibility and sense (again, no offense). We all know that USC is much more enjoyable and is in a much better city than UCSD.</p>
<p>None taken :p</p>
<p>Personally, I would prefer the small class feel of USC (professors more accessible, easier to get classes, etc.) The only reason I would pass on SC would be because of cost/the location but seeing that your friend has no issue in terms of finances, SC would be a better fit. I’ve heard both are polar opposites on the social spectrum (sports, frats vs. more competitive, academic atmosphere). Something to consider…</p>