<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I have been accepted to USC as a business administration major at the Marshall School of Business. I also have been accepted to UC Berkeley as undeclared, but would apply to Haas Business School as a sophmore. At this point, I'm most interested in marketing/advertising, but that could change. I'm worried about not actually being admitted to Cal's business school, but also about Marshall's lower ranking/prestige, particularly outside of southern California.
Cost-wise, the difference between the two schools cost-wise is significant, having gotten almost no financial aid from USC and being an in-state applicant.</p>
<p>Is Marshall's program worth the cost? What makes USC/Marshall better than Cal/Haas?</p>
<p>Any thoughts that would sway my choice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your help in advance!</p>
<p>Bay Area,</p>
<p>Please see the new thread from chuckcarl on this board. Also, consider the fact you have been admitted to a top ten undergraduate business school. You have been admitted to CAL, but not to the business school. After a tough two years you will have to go through the admission process. Your admission is NOT guaranteed.</p>
<p>As I suggested in the other thread read through “Bored” student’s posts about what his experiences have been in Marshall. </p>
<p>Have you visited the two universities? Since you are in northern California I wonder if you are aware of the global reach of Marshall. </p>
<p>If you are a U.S. citizen you may recognize the names of these alumni of the undergraduate Marshall School.</p>
<p>Dan Bane
Chrm. and CEO of Trader Joe’s</p>
<p>Marc Benioff
Founder and CEO of Salesforce.com</p>
<p>David Bohnett
Founder and former CEO of Geocities.com</p>
<p>Henry Caruso
Founder of Dollar Rent-A-Car</p>
<p>Vic Edelbrock
President and CEO of Edelbrock Automotive</p>
<p>Cont. in next post…</p>
<p>Here are some more alumni of Marshall:</p>
<p>A. Casden
Chrm. and CEO of Casden Properties</p>
<p>Joe Francis
Founder of Mantra Films</p>
<p>Pat Gillick
GM of the Philadelphia Phillies</p>
<p>Brad Hughes
Founder and CEO of Public Storage</p>
<p>Rich Knerr
Co-Founder and former president of Wham-O</p>
<p>Terrence Lanni
Chrm. & CEO of MGM Mirage</p>
<p>Bill Lyon
Chrm. and CEO of William Lyon Homes</p>
<p>Gordon Marshall
Founder of Marshall Industries and donor of $35 million to Marshall School</p>
<p>Preston Martin
Founder of PMI Mortgage
Former Vice Chrm. of the Federal Reserve Board</p>
<p>Steve McIntosh
Founder and President of Now & Zen</p>
<p>Bob McKnight
Chrm. and CEO of Quiksilver</p>
<p>Pat Nixon
Former First Lady</p>
<p>Andrall Pearson
Former President of PepsiCo
CEO of Yum</p>
<p>Ed Roski
Chrm. and CEO of Majestic Realty Co.
Part owner of LA Lakers</p>
<p>Steve Saleen
Founder and CEO of Saleen Performance, Inc.</p>
<p>etc.</p>
<p>I have applied to both as a transfer applicant. I would prefer USC over Haas for many reasons, but b/c of financial reasons I would prolly go to Haas over Marshall if I get into both.</p>
<p>Prestige: Berkeley > USC
Haas has WAY better recruiting, but USC has a better/bigger network. I’m planning on living in soCal (OC or LA) so a degree from USC will be just as good. But everywhere else you go, Berkeley’s reputation is far greater.</p>
<p>Costs: Berkeley > USC
Berkeley is alot cheaper for most obviously. But I’m awaiting my financial aid package from USC to see which school would be cheaper.</p>
<p>Location: Tied
Los Angeles versus Silicon Valley. I prefer LA bc of its social scene, weather, and being in the entertainment capitol of the world. But Silicon Valley will provide alot more opportunities for business majors. Both schools are in the ghetto though…so I hear. But a 15 minute drive from USC and now your in Hollywood!</p>
<p>Academics: Berkeley > USC
No debate here. But bc of the grading curve at Haas, tt will be alot tougher to get a higher GPA over there. But at Marshall, where they eliminated the grading curve, it will be pretty easy to get a 4.0. So it might be better for you in the long run if your gonna get an MBA. High GPA from #10 Undergrad b school, or decent GPA from haas.</p>
<p>Girls: USC > Berkeley
No debate here.</p>
<p>Social Life: USC > Berkeley
This one is subjective bc I love LA and I’ve never been to berkeley, but I just think LA is just a much better place to live, study, and have fun.</p>
<p>Overall: TIED
So…yea. Pretty much you’re gonna be in good shape wherever you go. If you only care about academics and getting a good job after graduating, then go to Haas. But USC’s network will almost guarantee you a job too. And LA’s social life is unbeatable. You can’t go wrong with either one.</p>
<p>^ it won’t be easy to get a 4.0 at USC in a major like business. maybe easy to get in the mid 3 range but not a 4.0.</p>