<p>Yes, I do disagree with that statement, based on me (a small sampling, I admit - but a sampling never-the-less). I am not rich (not even close). I am not spoiled (at least not yet, but I am hopeful). I am from an in-state public high school (and not a particularily good one). My floormates and classmates do not appear to be any richer or more spoiled than me. A high school classmate of mine (an excellent student and fine person) who's family is far better off financially than mine also applied to both - and because her family did not qualify for financial aid, she and her parents chose UCLA because it cost them approximately 1/2 the amount they would have paid at USC. For wealthy families, UCLA often turns out to be a much better deal financially (and one reason wealthy families have become wealthy is because they are smart about how they spend their money). If the lower-income students (like me) are NOT applying to USC, they should be because the financial aid at USC has turned out to be very good and gave me options I did not dream I would have.</p>
<p>I want to repeat what I have said before, I believe USC AND UCLA are both excellent schools and would each be a great choice. Potential students shouldn't let outdated stereotypes keep them from investigating what might be a wonderful opportunity.</p>
<p>For your major, USC definitely wins. From my daughter experience, USC spoils the students. For example, my daugher often sent me video of band and concert playing on campus. The professors are friendly and treat you very well. You have no problem get classes, classes are small, the biggest class my daughter has is 27. Most other classes are less than 10 max. It will help, if you ever need a professor to write you a letter of recommendation for graduate school.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Most other classes are less than 10 max.
[/quote]
I find that very hard to believe when the class size info reported is nearly the same as Berkeley.</p>
<p>
[quote]
professors are friendly and treat you very well. You have no problem get classes, classes are small, the biggest class my daughter has is 27.
[/quote]
USC must be the land of milk and honey then...no wonder why they need the strong alumni connections - to continue that pampering when their graduates face the real world...:rolleyes:</p>
<p>UC is much better at preparing you for real-life challenges, IMHO.</p>
<p>USC is private, but it's still a huge private, let's not go overboard here..</p>
<p>Columbia_Student seems to be living in "lalaland". ;)</p>
<p>
[quote]
If the lower-income students (like me) are NOT applying to USC, they should be because the financial aid at USC has turned out to be very good and gave me options I did not dream I would have.
<p>UCB, I forgot to mention my daughter is in the honors program. However, she has one class that is non-honor and it only has 9 students. Of course, it depends on your major, but this is my daugther experience so far.
Her classes are hard and challenging but when it comes to administrative stuff, her teachers are pretty helpful.</p>
<p>Ummm I definitely am not rich and I got into SC. They were really generous with their financial aid. USC has one of the best communication programs in the United States and having annenberg on your resume after college will open up "tons" of doors. Plus they have a pretty good school of international relations, which is what I'm getting into. Saftey wise? Look at it this way, there was a school shooting at virginia tech we all know about, but people are still going there. At duke supposedly a girl was raped. New york colleges have had a lot of crimes and sexual assualts to deal with. The fact is that you will find "unsafe areas" anywhere at any school. SC however does an amazing job keeping the campus safe, and for the most part it boils down to common sense anyway. UCLA is overrated for sureeeee</p>
<p>You should factor in your feelings about the coaches/sports programs at each school...does their coaching style fit you, will you have the playing time you want, will that coach be likely to stay with the program during your undergraduate years?
My friend's daughter at one of those two schools arrived as a freshman on a full scholarship, which was yanked her sophomore year when the recruiting coach left and a new coach came in.
This is the time to ask tough questions.</p>
<p>I agree with siliconvalleymom -- if you are going to be playing DI sports, be prepared to devote 15-20 hours per week out of season, and 30-40 hours per week in season to activities with your team. </p>
<p>Though I think USC would be a slightly better academic experience for you for the reasons stated by several posters above, if you think you will fit in with one team better than the other, that is critical due to the fact that almost half your day is with your team (on average).</p>
<p>yeah I have been to UCLA and met a few of the girls on the team as well as the coaches, and really like them. yet for my sport USC is a better team, but I have yet to go out there and meet them.
I am just trying to get a true overall sense of each school, because I have to decide soon.</p>
<p>Why do you have to decide soon? (I am not at all familiar with athletic recruiting.) What is your deadline? Can you make a trip to USC - and maybe another trip to UCLA - before you have to decide? It must be stressful for you. Maybe tell us what "sense" you are looking for and we can try to respond to that. If yours is an indoor sport, you HAVE to check out Galen Center at USC. usctrojans.com</a> - Facilities</p>
<p>
[Quote]
I respect USC because it's original - unlike UCLA.
[/Quote]
</p>
<p>As big of a Bear fan as I am, that attitude, the "We are Cal and therefore better than everyone else," played a major role in my decision not to attend. Normally I agree with your posts, but it's sad that two distinguished universities like Cal and UCLA can't respect each other for what they are, sister institutions.</p>
<p>No its an outdoor sport, but I have to decide soon because of signing an NLI (National Letter of Intent), and also for USC it will affect applying for financial aid. It will also be a relief; the sooner I know where I'm going to be it will put a great ease into my life. I'm looking for a school where:
I can study hard and play hard
Competitive athletics
Beautiful aesthetics as well as a good area
Diversity
School spirit out the whazoo
And a place I can feel proud of....</p>
<p>Well, both have four of your six requirements (1, 2, 5, 6), but UCLA wins 3 -the "good area" contest - Westwood is a great place (although both campuses themselves are beautiful). USC is much more diverse - 4 - than UCLA (UCLA is prohibited from using any sort of affirmative action in admissions, while USC, as a private, is not). </p>
<p>Congratulations on being recruited by both of those universities - I am sure you have worked hard. An amazing accomplishment. Good luck in your choice!</p>
<p>tocollege: While your assessment on AA is correct, I would like to add that UCLA is ranked #2 in the country for socio-economic diversity. It's also much more racially diverse than USC (whites are actually not the majority, imagine that)!</p>
<p>To put it in perspective, both of my roommates this year originate from different countries. One is from India, and the other from southeast Asia.</p>
<p>USC actually has 9% International students while UCLA has 4%. And, while whites are a large percentage at USC (47%), they are not over 50%. Here are the profiles:</p>
<p>USC is a bastion of privilege. Lots of rich spoiled kids. UCLA is a public university. Lots of poor kids, kids from immigrant families, lots of Asian kids. USC is a private school, you're much more likely to get pampered there, especially, I'd imagine, as a recruited athelete. UCLA is probably facing some budget cuts, or at least limited increases, and that might affect some things.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>WRONG. It's not 1985 anymore, buddy. The median household income of a UCLA student has surpassed that of USC.</p>