<p>My top choices lately have been Stanford (if I'm lucky enough to get in), UC Berkeley, and USC or UCLA.</p>
<p>I currently live in Norcal and have been in the bay area my whole life. My mom works at the law school at UC Berkeley so I 've grown up around the Berkeley area and I am pretty familiar with its atmosphere. I have yet to visit the WHOLE campus though, surprisingly. UC Berkeley sounds like a fantastic school, especially with the ranking, but I kind of want a new atmosphere to live in. </p>
<p>USC or UCLA- the old debate between the two. I am attracted to USC's more personal feel and the alumni connections but I am aware of UCLA's prestige. Both are still great institutions but which one do you think is better? The rankings are really close and USC seems to be getting better. </p>
<p>So ultimately, which of the three schools would be better for me? UC Berkeley, USC, or UCLA? </p>
<p>UC Berkeley- Grown up around here my whole life and is slightly better than USC and UCLA. Super competitive environment. LARGE school. Lots of asians..btw I'm Filipina, Chinese, and Hispanic. </p>
<p>USC/UCLA- New environment. Now which one is better? Lol. </p>
<p>What area are you interested in? USC would be "better" than UCLA in certain areas, and vice versa. UCLA has more of a international reputation, but if your goal is to live and work in California, then USC would be just as good a ticket to good jobs.</p>
<p>Coming from the East Coast, with absolutely no experience with either colleges except with their sports teams, I'd say Berkeley > UCLA > USC
I don't know anything about academics between UCLA or USC. So Don't take my word for it.</p>
<p>Since you would be getting in-state tuition at the UCs, I don't think USC would really make sense, especially in light of the fact that they don't guarantee to meet full demonstrated need. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that though. </p>
<p>It would be hard to argue that UCLA is better than Berkeley and they're both similar fit-wise, so I'd go with Berkeley.</p>
<p>No one is arguing that UCLA is better than Berkeley -- though in CA they are considered quite close in quality, btw. The suggestion of UCLA over Berkeley is based on the idea that going away to college can be a very enriching experience.</p>
<p>i'd say those are all good schools. If your looking for a job in the long run (USC might help) couple friends go there say it's a good experience, very proud to be there, hard school etc. </p>
<p>CAL (friends go there, they say nobody gives a crap about you, defend for yourself. etc.) pretty hard school, but up there in the ranks nonetheless. (my friends like it up there too lol)</p>
<p>UCLA good public school to go to. probably just as difficult as cal/usc (maybe easier in some areas. </p>
<p>I think in the long run, it depends on what college experience you want from it. All are top rated schools, all can off you a great experience. It's just your preference</p>
<p>If you get merit aid at USC(1/2 tuition for NMS), it's cheaper than UCB(the most expensive UC campus). Don't forget the UCs are raising tuition yearly and are facing budget problem.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Hume said students at UC's nine undergraduate campuses can expect a *more difficult time registering for some classes, larger class sizes, and cuts in student services. *</p>
<p>"We will be less efficient. They will take longer to graduate. They will not be able to get classes. They will not be able to get their majors," Hume said.</p>
<p>However, he said that he could not ask students to pay more than the possible 10 percent increase because raising fees puts access for low- and middle-income students at risk.</p>
<p>^ Haha...I know...but student quality is the same at all three. You have to choose for the best academic program, cost, location and other factors.</p>
<p>OP All three are great schools. What do you think that you want to major in? (I don't think that I saw that in any of your posts) Also, would you get a fee waiver as a dependent of a university employee? Just a thought. (not sure)</p>
<p>If you're instate there's no way in hell I'd pay to slum 4 years in the ghetto (No to SC!). </p>
<p>Berkeley/UCLA have a slightly different feel to them. Berkeley is seen as more "intellectual" if you will...whereas UCLA is seen as more social/active. I know I'm stereotyping but stereotypes arise because there is some validity to them. Outside CA Berkeley will carry more weight. Inside, from what I hear, they are equal.</p>
<p>it should come down between UCBerkeley and USC.</p>
<p>UCLA is not worth sacrificing Berkeley. the only reason to sacrifice berkeley for usc is because of the reasons you stated why you are attracted to USC.</p>
<p>UCLA's prestigious is equivelent to USC's, even if ucla is slightly higher, the marginal difference isn't even worth noting. HOwever the marginal difference between UCBerkeley prestige to USC is way bigger.</p>
<p>That's why if you're going for prestige, then go Berkeley, UCLA doesn't really overshadows USC.</p>
<p>If you're looking to get out of the bay area, then go to USC.</p>
<p>One thing to keep in mind is that though SC is a private school, it has
25,000+ students. So you'll be in huge lecture halls and whatnot, and you'll be paying twice as much as you would to be in huge lecture halls at Cal/UCLA.</p>
<p>All schools offer personal attention if you seek it out. If you're an independent thinker, choose Cal or UCLA. If you want to be nurtured and guided every step of the way, choose SC. Not a right or wrong answer here, just personal preference.</p>
<p>Reputation-wise, it's generally accepted that Cal>UCLA>USC. It's also accepted that SC has the wealthiest/preppiest students, though kids there always claim that it's very diverse; I can't speak for that, as I'm not a student there. </p>
<p>SAT-scores mean nothing in the real world. They get you into college, not out of it.</p>
<p>UCLA is in the nicest area, followed by Berkeley then SC. SC really doesn't have a college town at all, so keep that in mind if that's important.</p>
<p>USC has alumni connections, but that will be equaled if you're an Alumni Scholarship recipient at UCLA or UCB, which you interview for in March/April of your senior year.</p>
<p>My best advice is to visit both, then see. Each have very distinct reputations, and all have pros and cons to attending. I'd say all 3 have unique and noteworthy extracurricular activities available, and all are pretty similar in the school-spirit department. So go for the best fit, and you can't go wrong!</p>