USC v. UCSD

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>The finaid that I am waiting for will probably decided which college I go to...however, I still want to know how others compare the two colleges in terms of academics. I want to major in engineering...Can anyone help? Thanks!</p>

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<p>From all I've heard about the UC system being impacted, I'm not sure one can readily graduate in engineering in 4 years, so that might be something to consider & ask UCSD about. I have been very impressed with the USC engineering department (having spoken with the assistant deans several times). They seem to support the students with advising & the flexibility to double major or at least minor in fields of interest. They told us they also have career placement & internships for their engineering students, where students receive credit & are paid $20-25/hour.
During the admitted students reception, they frequently referred to the "Trojan family" & its network, but I don't have any 1st hand knowledge of how much that really helps. Don't know much about UCSD, but believe it's larger than USC.</p>

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<p>HImom:</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply.</p>

<p>I thought impacted meant that the major is overflowing and the universeity can't accept all the students they would like. As for the engineering depts, do you know as to how they compare? I know both to have generally strong engineering depts.</p>

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<p>Well I have the exact same dilemma and major too and from all my information gathering Ive been able to come up with a few things that are different between the 2 schools</p>

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<p>For me the Decision is basically down to Financial Aid. Due to some unlucky circumstances I will have to take out ALOT of student loans. For me it is just deciding wheter I want about $30,000 or $70,000 after I graduate. If money wasnt such a big obstacle I would choose USC, its my dream school, but I want to hear other peoples opinions.</p>

<p><em>EDIT</em> : remember those loan amount would be for bachelors and a masters. there would be no more college for me after that.</p>

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<p>I am actually in the same situation as you OmgItsCollege. I got my fin. aid back for USC which i think is pretty good but still I need more $$ lol. My UCSD fin. aid didn't include my cal grant A. So I have asked them about it; if they give me that I will likely have to pay only about $1000/year. However, I like USC better cuz students get more flexible schedules. Moreover, I could virtually go to any engineering field or other majors I want, whereas in UCSD, I can't. I need to ask USC about my fin. aid cuz I think they left out my Cal grant B which is worth about $1551. But I am not sure if they've included that in Uni grant though. Hope not, so I can get more $$ haha.</p>

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<p>confucius37:</p>

<p>So you are saying that the two colleges are equally comparable? Yeah, money is an issue for me too. If USC's finaid is generous enough, then I will attend USC. The thing is, I hope I'm not missing out on UCSD...</p>

<p>Also, I live in LA. B/c of money, my parents say that I can choose:</p>

<p>1) Go to USC, commute from home, get a car
2) Go to UCSD, live in dorms, don't get a car</p>

<p>So yeah. That's another issue. :/</p>

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<p>thats interesting because I am in the SAME exact situation, I will be commuting from home if i go to USC. As far as academics, I personally believe USC will be a much more rewarding experience because it is a much smaller population of students the amount of professor interaciton will be greater than UCSD, also at UCSD the competitiveness of students could be a little overwhelming. </p>

<p>From information Ive been able to gather the 5 year program at USC is the type of thing where you get a 3.5 and youre in there is no admissions process, but at UCSD you need at least a 3.5 to be competitive in the admissions process.</p>

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<p>vagan:</p>

<p>When I applied for FAFSA, I based all the info from what my dad told me to put (I don't know anything about his taxes, and we didn't have them done at the time) and there may have been some exaggerated numbers...but I'm not sure which. My dad also said that since he doesn't have a retirement plan (??) a lot of his "assets" were exactly that. My parents were also saving up money to buy a house eventually.</p>

<p>The moral of this story is that because of some of these complications, I'm not getting any money in the form of a Cal Grant...which my parents were expecting. Even I thought I would have gotten at least $3k or so. But anyway, I hope USC gives me decent finaid ><</p>

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<p>confucius37:</p>

<p>Yeah...the thing is if USC meets or does better than UCSD in terms of finaid, then I would def attend regardless of the dorm/car issue. USC is a private and the professors more likely to attend to the students' needs whereas the UCSD profs. are more unlikely. But I'm going to the Admit Day @ UCSD (April 8) and USC's thing (Aprill 22 in LA, i think) and see how I like it.</p>

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<p>OmgItsCollege:</p>

<p>Ya If USC does better then I will go 100%, but i really doubt it will do better for my situation.</p>

<p>Well in any case Ill be at both of those events as well. Maybe I'll meet you there.</p>

<p>Good Luck</p>

<p>For Everyone Else:</p>

<p>Any thoughts on the $30000 to $70000 difference, is USC worth it?</p>

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<p>Personally, I want to go to USC. I think USC is slightly (if not more) better than UCSD. So if you get a good aid, then go for it. For me, I have to see what my sister has to say since I am living with her. It's all messed up cuz she is also transferring this year. And transfer decisions are out in late april. So, I have to wait for a little while. We basically need lots of $$. sigh* I might have to "sacrifice" myself. :(</p>

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<p>I think that $70,000 will be a huge burden once you graduate. But if you can get a decent career out of college it wouldn't as bad. I know a friend's parents who graduated from Cal but still paying off their loans...they're probably in their mid/early-30's I think. For me, money plays a big role...so if I were in your place I would have to go with UCSD...but that's just my opinion. I hope things work out for us both. :)</p>

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<p>USC v. UCSD in terms of Engineering is a toughie!!</p>

<p>I would say Jacobs and Viterbi are equally great, great undergrad programs, great job/intern opportunities. You will get the engineering edu no matter which school you finally choose.</p>

<p>Obviously UCSD is cheaper (+) UCSD
But overall, USC in a much better school (+) USC</p>

<p>...I think I just helped you make your decision harder. But just visit both schools for the atmosphere/vibe (they are very different), and be confident that you will do great at either school! GL</p>

14

<p>jennyz365:</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>But this is a separate issue that may also force my decision towards USC...I got accepted into Sixth College as Undeclared Physical Science major. I think I made the right decision in choosing Sixth (I was looking at the graduation requirements). But changing my major into an impacted one might cause a problem...</p>

<p>But then again, this may all change...lol. Best of luck to all. I'm sure, however, whatever decision we make we will all be ok in the end.</p>

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<p>Well...anyone have anything other information?</p>

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<p>Wow it seems like a lot of people are making this decision.. I too am choosing between SC and SD for Engineering.. After seeing both departments, I can say that they are both great.. SD is supposedly a bit better, but in my mind they are comparable. Both have 5yr Masters and great internships, both have lots of $$ from the Qualcomm guys.. :D</p>

<p>It seems like my decision of UCSD has been pretty much finalized (got a fill ride @ SD and a Presidential @ SC) - I can spend $0/yr or $29k/yr, and my parents aren't going to help.. so yeah I guess I don't have much of a choice.</p>

<p>Good luck to all on your decisions!</p>

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<p>At least you are settled. lol. So most people would agree that USC and UCSD are about the same and the issue comes down to money?</p>

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<p>again, you also have to consider the fact that UCSD is much larger than USC. Do you feel comfortable being only a number? Do you think you can survive if you only had your friends to rely on for academic support? Do you mind not having Pac-10 teams at your school =)</p>

<p>some people function better being a number, but many find the support that USC offers integral to survive.</p>

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<p>Since we're out-of-state, the UCs are much more expensive than USC, which gave us a merit award of 1/2 tuition scholarship. Son will likely be attending USC in fall 2006.</p>

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<p>beammeup4:</p>

<p>Is that really true? Or is that a generalization between private and public schools?</p>