So I’m in the exact same boat… I was committed to USC on scholarship then got into Cal on waitlist. I got into the Thematic Honors program at USC and because of the scholarship it is $8k cheaper. Berkeley has been my dream school for 4 years though so I’m struggling with the decision
For poly sci, Cal is definitely better, there are some majors in the arts and science school that are tougher to get into than USC, which is why you were wait listed there and accepted at USC with merit.
This is a bit late, but for anyone who checks this thread in the future wondering what I did, I chose Cal!!
I ultimately thought that because I’m pretty set on studying political science, going to the school with the better program for it would be good. Berkeley’s environment will obviously be the polar negative opposite of USC’s in terms of stress level and not have the honors benefits that USC offered me, but I thought it would be a nice challenge and harden me to be a better person in the future.
A bit more of a personal/quirky reason: in the final hour before I had to make a decision, I summarized my arguments for and against each college. Whenever I leaned towards USC, I found myself pondering all the advantages of going to Cal. Whenever I leaned towards Cal, all I could think of were the flaws of Cal (i.e. difficulty achieving good grades), which is when I realized that USC as a school was not that significant to me. It was super stressful and sometimes I have doubts, but I’m really happy with my choice and to be able to go to my OG dream school in a couple of months!
Go Bears : )
USC is a brilliant school and I’m sure that I would have been happy there too. For me personally, Berkeley fits me more as a person. Thank you to everyone who pitched in and helped!!
@jalrawi I feel you : ( what did you choose?
@Vvincere - Congrats on reaching a decision, whew, eh? Now go live your life proudly wearing blue! Politics and Cal go hand in hand, enjoy your time there. 