<p>Hi I am having a really tough decision to decide where to go to undergrad and was wondering if anyone had any opinions on the schools I am deciding between: USC, UVa, UCLA and UCBerkeley. As of now, I am thinking about crossing off UCLA and UCBerkeley just because they are so huge, and am mostly debating between USC and UVa. I am most concerned about reputation, and which one you think is a "better" school in general. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you get into UVa and you can afford it, go for it!</p>
<p>You’re about to cross off the two most reputable schools in that list.</p>
<p>UVA is a horrible school, don’t go there. 90% of the student population is made up of rich, preppy jerks who, at the same time, are actually pretty smart. There is absolutely no grade inflation at UVA, and everyone is so competitively cut-throat. They lie about their admissions policies and just admit students with the highest gpa and sat scores to boost their stats, which creates a boring and uninspiring student body. Charlottesville is boring, unless you like nature, in which case there are actually some pretty nice national parks. Also, if you’re looking for “reputation” isn’t Berkeley the obvious choice? UVA is a mediocre state school that plays the college game in order to inflate themselves on rankings. You may say that I sound cynical, but this is the school that redirected “UVArejects” to the Vtech homepage, which is enough evidence to back up my point. I literally know 50+ friends who go there, all but like 2 hate the school and regret going. Whatever you do, don’t go to UVA. I suggest berkeley or la.</p>
<p>Net price after applying non-loan financial aid and scholarships at each school?</p>
<p>Oh good grief, schlaag! Are you at it again? You’re fairly transparent as to your reason for perpetually bashing of UVA…everyone knows the real reason for your disdain. </p>
<p>OP…If you search, you will see schlaag has made it a mission to trash UVA whenever possible. Here is a post I made in response to one of his rants:</p>
<p>@schlaag…Bitter much? My daughter goes to UVA (OOS) and LOVES it! She turned down Northwestern and others for UVA and has never once regretted it. Although UVA does focus highly on SAT and GPA, they’re looking for the superstar, well-rounded kids who’ve done EVERYTHING in high school. The traditions, IMO, and spirit at UVA is unlike most others. (With Jefferson as its founder, you’re going to have cool traditions unique to UVA.) USNWR has consistently ranked UVA as the second best public in America (behind Cal) for a reason – it’s selective in its admissions and caters to the brightest (especially difficult for OOS), has INCREDIBLE programs, and, unlike Cal, UCLA, and Mich, is small enough to provide a liberal arts education that focuses more intimately on the undergraduate. (The others are great schools as well; their strengths are simply different.) You are right about grade deflation…it’s hard to get a high GPA, but it’s certainly possible; you simply have to be willing to work your butt off. Our daughter, for instance, is a year-round athlete (20+ hours/week), in a sorority, volunteers once a week at a rehabilitation center, does research, and is a double major pre-med student (one of the majors is distinguished). MANY, if not most, UVA kids are type-A, high achievers with a work hard-play hard philosophy. She has yet to make anything below an A- (rising 4th year). I’m not trying to boast but rather disprove your point…it can indeed be done and is done all the time – she’s not an anomaly. Furthermore, she has yet to encounter one person at UVA who has not been happy with the school. (And unlike you, she is an actual student.) Cavaliers are always Cavaliers…it’s a school whose alums are some of the most devoted and active around. (Ex: Did you watch Katie Couric and Tina Fey this past week reminisce fondly about their time there?) In sum, while you’re certainly entitled to your opinion, I disagree wholeheartedly. Wahoowa!</p>
<p>USC and UVA have a very similar vibe, IMO. I would visit both and go from there; however, if you’re instate, which I presume you are, I would not discount the significantly cheaper cost of UCB or UCLA. All schools are lateral, IMO, and I can’t fathom paying an added $35K per year unnecessarily.</p>