<p>I am an international student from india admitted to these three colleges</p>
<p>My intended major is Mechanical Engineering but I might switch to Electrical Engineering.
I also want to minor in a business related subject. </p>
<p>I am leaning towards USC a little, but am still very confused</p>
<p>USC- Private- hence smaller classes, more overall prestige(I think). Has a minor in business administration, better overall college experience, most expensive of three, not so good neighbourhood.</p>
<p>UCLA- cheaper, better engineering, ranked a bit higher, better location</p>
<p>UCSD; best engineering program of the three.</p>
<p>Pursuant to the US News Rankings (which uses SAT scores, Acceptance rates etc. as criteria), UCLA and USC are ranked evenly. UCLA is only ranked higher if you’re talking world rankings, which, for the purposes of measuring prestige and exclusivity, are horrible. Most of those rankings have UC Riverside ahead of Dartmouth, ASU ahead of Brown… World Rankings mostly track research output, which large public schools usually have an advantage in churning out. </p>
<p>Otherwise, your understanding between the three seems accurate.</p>
<p>@Madseason I’m guessing you’re a USC alum. Curious to what rankings you’re even looking at. “Large” public schools have no real advantage for churning out more research in comparison to privates, you have no basis for that and the methodology for world rankings is largely academic and research oriented, not prestige and exclusivity.</p>
<p>USC - More overall prestige? I think not. Decent engineering program. If you plan on staying in Socal, getting a job out of USC would be easy due to their extensive alumni network; planning on graduate school? then that’s useless.
UCLA - Overall prestige would outrank the other two. Known nationally, great location, and decent alumni network. Top tier engineering program.
UCSD - Would be your best choice has the best engineering program, weather is good, and would be the second most prestigious based off world rankings.</p>
<p>Overall, just go with your gut. Rankings mean nothing, all schools are great.</p>
<p>Actually, I’ve HEARD (but have no direct confirmation) that the USC network worldwide is pretty good and that they have alumni groups all around the world. You can call each school to check that, if it is important to you.</p>
<p>One other issue that is good to check is what % of their engineering students graduate with their engineering degree in 4 years vs. 5 vs. 6, if the Us will provide that info. Some have mentioned it is difficult to get courses at the UCs, especially with budget cutbacks. My kids at USC have never had difficulty getting the courses they need for their major. Sailing (for fun) was the one course S had to register early to be able to get. :)</p>
<p>Definite advantages to a private school - smaller classes and USC network is good but network not as relevant if going on to grad school. UCLA obviously beautiful and great neighborhood, the socal people dream of. If you are one of the many looking at the two schools with no scholarship or aid you have to ask are those smaller classes and network worth $30K more per year or $120K for undergrad. USC is really twice the cost of UCLA. And it seems even the USC folks say no to that when asked if it is worth borrowing the money for the difference. It seems graduating from UCLA in 4 is really doable, espcecially in engineering where advising is very good and closely monitored. I hear a lot of students like to do it in more than 4 sometimes cause they like hanging out at UCLA. You could do one and consider the other for grad school…Maybe someone else can address if the recruiting at UCSD as good as the other two? I don’t know if it is more San Diego oriented or just as broad as the others. btw, we too still deciding between UCLA and USC. UCLA gaining ground this week. What a ride this is!</p>