<p>Bravo! First intelligent reply in this thread.</p>
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Erm....we're the only school in the United States ever to receive a donation over $100 mil.
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<p>Um....No, Berkeley got 113 million last year, Caltech is getting 600 million from Gordon Moore, a Berkeley alum who for some reason gave all his money to his grad school, and many other schools have gotten gifts that large. SC's endowment for a private school of 33,000 is not that impressive also. Wasn't one of those 100 million to the Film school, which really doesn't affect most SC students.</p>
<p>^ Actually, sofla951, you have just pointed out one of the great ADVANTAGES of USC - a donation to the Film school (or any of the USC professional schools) DOES affect all students at USC. Many of the Film School classes are open to the entire student body, and some of them satisfy general education requirements (and are very popular, because students see pre-screenings and meet filmakers and actors at the top of the industry). In fact, at USC, students can take classes in the many professional schools and the College of Arts and Sciences regardless of their major. Double majors, minors, and even double majors with double minors are encouraged and supported (and accomplished in four years). Combine that with the Thematic Option, and students who have actually investigated (rather than listening to oudated stereotypes) their college options are impressed with what USC has to offer.</p>
<p>One of the many, many factors I considered while choosing between USC, UCB, and UCLA was that I had an interest in film, but I did not want to major in it. UCLA had no flexibility for non-film students (and you can't even get into film there until junior year), so that was another factor in USC's favor.</p>
<p>UCBChem:</p>
<p>It's easy to understand why a kid would rather attend UVa over a mid-tier UC, or even Cal or UCLA. Charlottesville is beautiful and a great college town. Even at OOS prices, UVa is $35k per year or ~$10k more than UC-instate. Again, if you can afford HW, an extra $10k is literally chump change.</p>
<p>Dunnin: my point was not about housing options per se, but campus overcrowding. A couple of years ago, both Davis and UCLA had higher yieids than planned, and as a result, packed more kids into the dorms (doubles to trips, trips to quads, and even eliminating floor lounges and turned those into quads). Davis even had to reduce its upper division class offerings so those profs could teach the over-enrolled Frosh classes.</p>
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I would never even know most of these kids were rich if I didn't hang out with them daily, and I don't see how you can say that everyone is spoiled because they have money.
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<p>Finally someone who will admit the obvious fact that there are lots of rich kids at USC.</p>
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^ Actually, sofla951, you have just pointed out one of the great ADVANTAGES of USC - a donation to the Film school (or any of the USC professional schools) DOES affect all students at USC. Many of the Film School classes are open to the entire student body, and some of them satisfy general education requirements (and are very popular, because students see pre-screenings and meet filmakers and actors at the top of the industry). In fact, at USC, students can take classes in the many professional schools and the College of Arts and Sciences regardless of their major. Double majors, minors, and even double majors with double minors are encouraged and supported (and accomplished in four years). Combine that with the Thematic Option, and students who have actually investigated (rather than listening to oudated stereotypes) their college options are impressed with what USC has to offer.
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<p>Most students at USC aren't geting a degree from the film school. Besides perhaps allowing a few more film classes for non film majors I can't see how the 100 million donation to such a narrowly focused department really helps the university. IE: The 113 million Berkeley received goes to help endow top professors in all fields, not just lets say the Film or Architecture Dept. This means it helps keep the best teachers, attracts the best grad students, and also pays for research which undergrads can participate in. The donation to the film school only really helps the 500 students in the film school, not the rest of the 32,000 in their overall education, even though they may get to take an interesting class in the film department. Again USC's endowment is 3.7 billion while Berkeley's is 3.5 and also gets 560 million from the state, equivalent to an 11 billion dollar endowment.</p>
<p>kenf1234, wouldn't that apply to ALL private universities charging tuition ranging from $25,000 - $40,000 and cost-of-attendance of $40,000 - $50,000? ALL of them have students attending who can pay full price attending. Why are you not posting on every thread about a private university accusing "lots" of the students there of being rich and spoiled? You seem to have a big chip on your shoulder about USC.</p>
<p>Not to mention that the UCs are OVER $25,000 COA for instate (people who can pay that are not "rich?" I cannot afford that - not even close - so someone who can pay that is, compared to me, rich), and OVER $45,000 for OOS, and there are certainly students paying those rates. As you have never defined your term "lots," you would also have to admit that - by your definition - there are lots of spoiled rich kids at the UCs. </p>
<p>Also, nowhere in hyakku's post does it say that there are "lots" (still not defined by you) of rich kids, just that there are some - just as there would be at any private university.</p>
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Why are you not posting on every thread about a private university accusing "lots" of the students there of being rich and spoiled? You seem to have a big chip on your shoulder about USC.
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<p>The OP asked us to be "brutally honest" about the differences between UCLA and USC. I was. Frankly, honestly, I did it to be helpful to OP, since OP is in Georgia. I wanted to give OP the local feel of UCLA vs USC, something she'd be unlikely to get in Georgia.</p>
<p>The simple fact is, a lot of rich kids don't go to UCLA. Those Harvard-Westlake numbers posted show that clearly. If they have the grades and test scores to get into UCLA, they opt for a fancy private school instead. However, USC attracts a lot of rich kids. Their parents want them to go to school with other rich kids.</p>
<p>This situation is not unique to USC, but the OP's question was USC vs. UCLA. And since I have some background knowledge and personal experience with these two schools, I answered OP's question.</p>
<p>first off, i was referring to the rich kids i personally know. i would say theres like an even split of rich v average or low income kids.</p>
<p>secondly that berkeley deal was fairly recent so i hadnt heard about it. however we received 175 mil from lucas firstly, secondly that is the third donation over 100 million not to mention various others. also, im no film major bhut i certainly look forward to using the new cinema building in sme elective cinema classes. the donations definitely are used well as you can see the hiring of new teachers, constant expansion, and new construction daily.</p>
<p>anyone doubting the academic quality of this chool obviously doesnt attend here. most of the professors (all of mine) genuinely are interested in their subject and know what they are talking about, and most make it fun, challenging, yet rewarding. </p>
<p>at the very core, it comes down to you. no matter where you go college is going to largely be your journey.</p>
<p>sorry for any typos im on my cell phone.</p>
<p>The thought that, as a parent, I "wanted" my child to go to a school to be around "rich" kids - and used that as any kind of a deciding factor - is utterly ridiculous. That poster in no way speaks for me - an actual USC parent.</p>
<p>And using HW's 27 students (27/2766 is less than 1%) to represent the entire freshman class of nearly 3,000 students is just as ridiculous. Over 99% of the freshman class did NOT come from that school, and 62% came from public high schools. <a href="http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2008v2.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/private/0910/FreshmanProfile2008v2.pdf</a></p>
<p>tsdad had a link to a survey showing USC was the only school, along with UC Berkeley, to receive an "A" rating for commitment to an economically diverse student body...<em>I forget actually what it was surveying...but something to counter the notion that USC is only for rich kids</em></p>
<p>Neighborhood, neighborhood, neighborhood.</p>
<p>USC in is the s**thole known as South Central LA. My parents knew a professor there who was mugged and killed. If I had a choice I would definitely choose UCLA.</p>
<p>antsofthesky,
Lying will disqualify you from getting into USC:)
The last time a person associated with USC got killed is 15 years ago, and it's someone involved in drug bussiness. If the professor, suppose what you said is true, got killed in your neighbourhood, then that's your neighbourhood problem.</p>
<p>SC has just published their incoming freshman profile for 2008. This is the racial composite of the freshmen.
Pacific Islander and Native American: 2%
Latino: 14%
African American: 7%
International Students: 6%
Asian: 25%
Caucasian: 45%</p>
<p>Hi Chelsea, As a parent of students at UCLA AND USC I've read with some interest at the comments posted. In my opinion the school that you should ultimately select is what fits you best! You wouldn't go wrong with either schools with communications/international relations as your major. Athletically you'll need to decide the comfort level with the team, coach, schedule and possibly playing time. My daughter loves UCLA, played D1 sports which is VERY time consuming, easily 30-40 hours/week and in season much more with traveling. She is a very focused and disciplined student so is able to handle that type of schedule. My son, although talented as all of the UCLA/USC applicants, is not necessarily as focused so USC works great for him, smaller class size, more individualized attention and a greater likelihood that profs and TA's know their students more intimately. I think he will thrive in that setting. You shouldn't pay an inordinate amount of attention to the tired "rich kids at USC" thing. We're certainly not rich and USC does have significant financial aid available for those in need. Certainly there are kids with abundant financial resources and may fit the stereotypical "spoiled" rich kid, but that is far and away the exception than the rule. UCLA has also an abundant number of students from wealthy backgrounds and you'll meet these same types of students there as at USC but again far and away the exception. Of course UCLA is cheaper, consequently aid may not be a necessity and the financial aid numbers will probably be skewed somewhat due to the relative size of the schools. Kids are kids, they're all there to learn and to enjoy the experience. You'll gravitate to those of like thought. My daughter and son have both met wonderful friends at their respective schools. As far as diversity, USC seems to draw from a broader spectrum, internationally and nationally. A lower percentage of the students are from California than that is found at UCLA. And as far as ethnicity, both schools attempt to be somewhat diverse, and upon reading some of the comments as to this race has this % and that race has this %, I'm just not of the opinion that should be the overriding factor. As far as the neighborhood, Westwood is VERY nice and convenient. Area surrounding USC is inner city, however, incidents such as those mentioned recently are rare. Fatal stabbing has been determined to have occured after a confrontation, possibly alcohol fueled, definitely after both parties over-reacted and things got out of hand. Can happen at USC, can happen at UCLA, can happen at your local junior college. Bottom line is you have to be aware of your surroundings and be smart in you actions. UCLA also has their issues as does any city or school setting. Good luck in choosing, it's an exciting time for you. As parents we can recommend either school without reservation.</p>
<p>yay for house divided</p>
<p>Thank you for your excellent post, HouseDivided (LOVE the screen name!). Your thoughtful perspective as a parent of students at each school is probably the most useful to the OP.</p>
<p>Excellent post. Only parent with identical twins, one at USC and one at UCLA can best the above post? :D</p>