USC vs. UCSD

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hi. I was accepted into USC and UCSD into their Environmental Engineering programs, and although both schools are very nice and I know I would have a great experience at either school, I can't decide between the two. </p>

<p>I really like music and at USC I could be in the marching band, which would be fun because I love school spirit too. USC offers a jazz studies minor which I would do, but I am pretty UCSD does not have anything in terms of a jazz minor. I am a more quiet person who is not interested in drinking, hard partying, or greek life. I know I could stay out of that at USC if I wanted to, and UCSD's isolation from the excitement of the city life would bore me. I would love being in the middle of the city at USC. I like the private aspect of USC and having smaller classes as well. Money is not an issue. Finally, I have visited both campuses and like the trees and the oceanside climate at UCSD more, but I like the general feeling I get at USC more.</p>

<p>Also, I wasn't sure what the difference in the programs at USC and UCSD are. Looking at their websites, USC's program focuses on making engineers who "provide safe drinking water, treat and properly dispose of wastes, maintain air quality, control water pollution and remediate sites contaminated by spills of hazardous substances." </p>

<p>UCSD's program seems to focus more on "conveying an understanding and awareness of the fundamental processes associated with human industrial activity that have environmental implications, and on equipping the next generation of engineers with the tools to develop technologies that enable sustainable economic growth."</p>

<p>I am interested in being in an environmental engineering program that focuses on researching alternative energy sources, and I am not sure which program would be more suited to that aspect.</p>

<p>Obviously, these schools are similar in a lot of aspects, but I am not sure which program would be better, where I would be safer, where I would get a better education, and where I would have a more expansive, spirited undergraduate experience.</p>

2

<p>Alternative energy research is mostly in Chem Eng, Electrical E, Materials Eng, Bio, chemistry, and BME departments. Environmental Engineering focus on preservation, maintenance, etc. I think. You should look at other departments. Most of big research university have some sort of energy initiatives, and USC has more than its fair share of those activities. BTW, USC also has a great Petroleum Program. </p>

<p>I don’t know much about environmental engineering department at each school, but from the description you posted, I can tell USC has emphasis on certain fields and should incorporate a lot of practical training in their curriculum. UCSD may be more on the theoretical side. You should find out about that. </p>

<p>At USC, you are encouraged to double major, or add minor, and easy to change major. New energy researches are mostly interdisciplinary, and you should be prepared that way. From that point of view, USC should be a good choice. Again, you should find out whether UCSD provides similar convenience, and make comparison yourself. </p>

<p>Congratulations!</p>

3

<p>[USC</a> - Viterbi School of Engineering - USC and Tsinghua University Engineering Faculty to Gather at USC](<a href=“http://viterbi.usc.edu/news/news/2010/usc-and-tsinghua.htm]USC”>http://viterbi.usc.edu/news/news/2010/usc-and-tsinghua.htm)</p>

<p>There are a lot of talks about energy. It only includes the program partially, as it is a 2 day meeting in the email sent to students. China is No. 1 investor on new energy research and development now passing USA. Tsinghua is China’s No.1 tech and engineering school in Beijing. The link mentions USC students can spend summer at Tsinghua doing research on IT and Energy. The trip is free as far as I’ve known from a couple of former students here. </p>

<p>Dan Dapkus also directs a DOE center on new energy at USC. There should be plenty of opportunities here if you want a research experience as a undergrad student.</p>

4

<p>wow, thanks so much for all the information. Ya, I think that in terms of specific fields, I would want to get involved with the petroleum or chemical side of it. I was just worried about entering into the chemical engineering department, because I wasn’t sure how much they would focus on alternative energy sources.</p>

5

<p>@gpsinc.
Ohmygosh!
I am applying to UCSD and USC.
Planning to transfer my junior year(2013).
Did you end up choosing USC?</p>

<p>Which do you recommend I should try?
Environmental Engineering with the biotechnology track?
or civil engineering with an emphasis on environmental engineering?
or simply environmental engineering.
I am having a hard time choosing between the three!</p>

<p>Which major did you end up choosing and did you like it?</p>

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<p>Marching Band sounds like a good enough reason to me! Pick USC. :)</p>