<p>Having a lot of trouble deciding between the two schools... Both will be paying full cost. I know Berkeley has a better Business School (Haas) but it is not guaranteed admission and I'm also worried about the competitiveness of Berkeley compared to USC. I want to go to USC but it's hard to give up the superior ranking and name value that Berkeley has over USC. Any opinions?</p>
<p>
Are you in-state or out-of-state for Berkeley?</p>
<p>Berkeley. It’s business program is great and much more recruiting goes on their. Plus it’s in a nicer part of town… </p>
<p>Even if you don’t get into Haas, Berkeley’s economics degree will be similar/better than a degree from USC Marshall.</p>
<p>The most important thing you said is you want to go to USC. Assuming money not an issue, to me that means question is answered. (I’m not addressing the $ issue and going to assume you can afford either. If not, that would be a different question.) But looking at some things, besides not actually being admitted to Haas, do you really believe Haas is regarded so much stronger than Marshall and Leventhal? As a former marketing VP in high tech, I can tell you I don’t, but I am sure there may be some that do. And also some like me that don’t. Don’t get hung up on rankings. Look at what each offers you, college is what you put into it, not what a ranking says you will get. One is private, one is public. Tons of differences there - USC gives you flexibility, getting the courses you want easily, adjusting the major to different areas of concentration easily, changes majors, double majors, majors/minors - all that is available to you there. And all the connections USC has in it’s alumni network all over the world, not just socal. Totally different climates, both weather wise and student body. Have you visited both?</p>
<p>I don’t know, I just would never put a Haas graduate ahead of Marshall, but that’s me. I hired more than a 100 people in my day and never would have given a raised eyebrow to one over the other on a resume. (But a USC alum would that’s for sure!) Rankings, szhmankings. UCB is a great school too, you have two wonderful choices, but I think a person is more motivated being where they want to be. </p>
<p>@alamemom Out of state for Berkeley so comparable costs. </p>
<p>@CADREAMIN Those are all things that I’ve considered. To me, USC seems the better choice because of the smaller class sizes, ease at getting into a class (as opposed to waitlists for classes at Berkeley), ease to double major/minor, and the fact that the environment seems generally more inviting and less cut-throat than Cal. Also, I plan on possibly getting an MBA and GPA is a major factor for top MBAs. I’ve read that Berkeley is famous for the “grade-deflating” so it seems I could get a higher GPA at USC, though I don’t know this for sure.</p>
<p>I’m having a really tough time, and it’s also hard that my parents are very ranking-conscious and Haas is ranked 2nd for Undergrad Business vs. ~20 for USC… Thanks for your input though!!</p>
<p>USC is a huge private. The class sizes aren’t LAC-level. If paying full freight for both, go to the better school. You go to school to learn, be challenged, and grow intellectually, not get a ticket punched. Berkeley is a much more intellectual environment. USC is more pre-professional. </p>
<p>Being out-of-state you can get around the Bay Area easily via public transportation. LA will require a car, or a friend with a car…although public transportation is slowly improving in LA, Berkeley is much more pedestrian friendly. </p>
<p>Have you visited both campuses? </p>
<p>Also, why worry about getting an undergraduate degree in business (essentially an MBA-lite without work experience) before getting a full MBA?<br>
You don’t need to major in business for undergrad to pursue an MBA. </p>
<p>I’d rather see an economics degree for undergrad. Berkeley offers a more intensive math-based Econ series, if desired. You’ll also avoid the silly, touchy-freely, organizational behavior courses that way too. </p>
<p>coffeelover,
You are confusing the USNews ranking for graduate business with undergraduate business. If you are interested in the Marshall School of Business Undergraduate ranking it was ranked at 11th last year. The latest rankings I could find for the specialties within Marshall (Undergraduate) are:</p>
<p>Accounting #4</p>
<p>Entrepreneurship #2 Entrepreneur Magazine ranked it #1</p>
<p>International Business #3</p>
<p>Real Estate # 5</p>
<p>Management #12</p>
<p>Marketing #10</p>
<p>Finance #19</p>
<p>Keep in mind Marshall is breaking ground soon for the new state of the art business complex. The school has also had a gift from the Brittingham Foundation of $5 million and a MAJOR donation from William McMorrow to establish and endow a new program in Global Real Estate.</p>
<p>@UCBChemEGrad Have visited USC and loved the overall feel of the campus… The energy and students was something that really sold me. I’m visiting Berkeley next week though so we’ll see if I get the same vibe. Maybe I’ll love it which will make my decision much easier. And true about the undergrad Business Degree but it’s generally easier to get into Business School from a top bank or consulting firm and it’s generally easier to get a job at one of those firms coming from an undergrad business degree (though I could be completely wrong). </p>
<p>@"Georgia Girl" I don’t think I’ve seen those rankings and that’s fairly exciting as entrepreneurship is essential my end goal, just want to use Finance as a stepping stone to get there… I’m doing visits to both schools again and hopefully that will solidify my choice. </p>
<p>I really think you will know when you have seen both. Both schools have very different but have very special things about them that make them unique. The area around UCB is sketch as well in a different way, seems to be way more questionable people (the nicest way I can put that) walking/sleeping/hanging around, you’ll see. It seems that all urban campuses all have something to deal with. You will have a feeling after you have seen Cal and can compare. Good luck!</p>
<p>I agree you’ll have a better idea after you visit.
Be sure to visit the Haas Business School mini-campus, it’s located across the street from Cal’s newly renovated Memorial Stadium.</p>
<p>Here is the most recent employment survey of Haas Business School grads from Cal’s career center, which may be helpful in your decision:
<a href=“https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/BusAd.stm”>https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/BusAd.stm</a></p>
<p>And here is the Economics employment survey, in case you don’t get into Haas:
<a href=“https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Econ.stm”>https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Econ.stm</a></p>
<p>Berkeley Haas is amazing. The alumni network is tight. Berkeley Haas over USC Marshall in a heartbeat. </p>
<p>What does not guaranteed you will get in Haas mean? You weren’t accepted into Haas? Do you have to apply and when?</p>
<p>Students apply to Haas in the sophomore year. In an info session at Cal Day, we all were told that they accept 45% of students who apply. Those who don’t get in can apply as an Econ major (65% acceptance rate), Political Economy, or some other L&S major.</p>
<p>@yoamogatos wait… are you referring to 45% of student who apply to haas as an internal major change, not transferring from an outside university/cc? </p>
<p>Being in the major a student wants to be in is top priority for us personally, or at least the ability to easily move into it. I would not want S to spend four years getting a degree in something they don’t really want. </p>
<p>
Yes, the 45% acceptance rate into Haas is for continuing Berkeley undergraduates who have completed all the required prerequisites.</p>
<p>Acceptance rate for transfer students from CC or another university is around 6%.
<a href=“Class Profile - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas”>Class Profile - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas;
<p>@UCBChemEGrad got it! Thanks!</p>