<p>Yeah, in terms of pure numbers we can't compare due to statistical differences however we can always use anecdotal stories!!!</p>
<p>My friend got into Berkeley, UCLA, and USC, however, at USC she was only invited as a Spring Admit.</p>
<p>I also have another friend who got into UCLA but was only a spring admit at USC.</p>
<p>Not sure if this really means anything but in terms of my anecdotal stories (yes I know this is a logical in fallacy) USC is the most selective.</p>
<p>Berkeley pwns.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
They're a bit different now--Berkeley had about a 21% acceptance rate this year, UCLA a 24%, etc. but it's not the acceptance rate that matters. And we can see the obvious disparities in comparing other stats (Berkeley and UCLA don't superscore, USC manipulates numbers, etc.).
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>This year USC's acceptance rate was at 21% as well. The school is really making leaps and bounds by really using all that donation money they keep raising to improve a variety of programs, not just one. The film, engineering, and business school's benefit, but they are also using alot of that money now and looking to build up alot of the CLAS. With more and more people wanting to go to USC, it's definitely becoming much more nationally recognized and prestigious.</p>
<p>
[quote]
to improve a variety of programs, not just one. The film, engineering, and business school's benefit, but they are also using alot of that money now and looking to build up alot of the CLAS. With more and more people wanting to go to USC, it's definitely becoming much more nationally recognized and prestigious.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That's great--but the difference is that Berkeley already has top programs in those, already has a national recognition and prestige. That's why it's still a step ahead of USC.</p>
<p>
[quote]
That's great--but the difference is that Berkeley already has top programs in those, already has a national recognition and prestige. That's why it's still a step ahead of USC.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'm goin with kdavid on this one. Trufax. Berkeley is absolutely more prestigious than USC. I'd say that UCLA is as well.</p>
<p>sorry for my 2 cents.. don't yell at me.. :(</p>
<p>It wasn't my intention to turn this thread into a USC/cal/UCLA debate, but thanks for all your great posts! They've definitely given me a perspective into how various people view USC. The other two schools I've been considering aren't actually in California. They're Uni. of WA, Seattle and Renssalaer (in NY state).</p>
<p>^ LOL...no worries...anytime you ask about a college's reputation it will get into a comparison match...It's what we Americans like to do. It's like car shopping. Everyone has an opinion. :)</p>
<p>Prestige Meter:</p>
<p>Berkeley <------2 miles------ UCLA <------200 miles------ USC</p>
<p>:rolleyes:</p>
<p>Students Top Ten Dream Colleges-How the students of the US see it:
1. Harvard
2. Stanford
3. Princeton
4. New York Univ. (previously #1 for 3 consecutive years)
5. Yale
6. Brown
7. Columbia
8. Cornell
9. Univ. of Southern California
10. UCLA</p>
<p>You guys are all splitting hairs. USC, UCLA, and CAL are all great schools, and considering their all literally right next to each other in the rankings, you could not go wrong with one over another.</p>
<p>Pick the college based on its aesthetic qualities and enjoy yourself.</p>
<p>^ I agree completely with you, Bellumvir.</p>
<p>However, I am going to split a hair even further with you...It's not CAL...It's Cal...;)</p>
<p>Bellumvir, I agree they're all fantastic. There is, however, a very big difference between an internationally recognized RESEARCH institution, biased toward graduate students, and a pre-professionally focused mid-sized university with equal focus on undergrad & professional grad programs (USC).</p>
<p>I think those differences in look and feel are the important criterion for the OP.</p>
<p>P.S. I just re-read OP's post, and what do you know, there is NO mention of USC in comparison to UC... only a question about whether it's a "party school".</p>
<p>Funny how quickly we divert into our own discussion :)</p>
<p>Yeah tell me about it, and don't worry about my opinion of USC, I think its superb and it has a lot more to offer than meets the eye (or the rankings?).</p>
<p>My belief in such a statement is completely evident because I will be attending USC next year. :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Students Top Ten Dream Colleges-How the students of the US see it:
1. Harvard
2. Stanford
3. Princeton
4. New York Univ. (previously #1 for 3 consecutive years)
5. Yale
6. Brown
7. Columbia
8. Cornell
9. Univ. of Southern California
10. UCLA
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Wow. Please tell me that you're not presenting a PR ranking as credible evidence. Seriously?!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Students Top Ten Dream Colleges-How the students of the US see it:
1. Harvard
2. Stanford
3. Princeton
4. New York Univ. (previously #1 for 3 consecutive years)
5. Yale
6. Brown
7. Columbia
8. Cornell
9. Univ. of Southern California
10. UCLA
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Wow. Please tell me that you're not presenting a PR ranking as credible evidence. Seriously?! PR?
What's next? Are you going to cite their rankings of best university cafeterias to support your claim that U$C trumps all?</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
That's great--but the difference is that Berkeley already has top programs in those, already has a national recognition and prestige. That's why it's still a step ahead of USC
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>I agree, but then again I wasn't really talking about Berkeley as much as I meant UCLA. The debate of berkeley having more prestige than USC isn't a difficult one, but if you were to come here (northern NJ/NYC), I'd like you to find a definitive answer on the USC vs UCLA debate. Many people know UCLA and USC for their sports, but at the same time I know most people know that USC has an awesome businesss, film, and architecture school, and that its gotten far harder to get into. UCLA is seen as a good school, but there is generally a lot less known about its academics other than, "I hear they are really good". As for berkeley, like I said that's a different story.</p>
<p>Personally I wouldn't worry about USC's rep OP. There's a reason they say Welcome to the Trojan Family in our packet. That network is gonna last a lifetime, combined with some great educational opportunities and awesome financial aid, I think you know where you should be this august. I do :)</p>
<p>Trojans '12, hope to see you there, if not, you made the wrong choice :-p</p>
<p>hyakku, what national academic reputation there is for UCLA in the popular culture is probably due to the Graduate Business School (called UCLA Anderson since about 1988), which has been ranked between 10-16 for the past 20 years, and prior to that was ranked 7-10 most years... and this is of course because of the wide publication of Business Week's Bschool rankings for over 30 years. BW currently ranks Anderson at #1 in "Intellectual Capital", which I suppose is a faculty ranking.</p>
<p>I'm not aware that prior to 2000, USC was ever ranked top 30 in <em>anything</em> professional or academic in the graduate level. I do expect that to change over the next twenty years.</p>
<p>hyakku,</p>
<p>I think you are overrating USC business. If you look at <a href="http://www2.marshall.usc.edu/emplibrary/2006%20Placement%20Report.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www2.marshall.usc.edu/emplibrary/2006%20Placement%20Report.pdf</a>, its placement isn't really that impressive. What I find surprising is over half of the students didn't have offers at the time of the survey (april). Maybe the students tend to wait until the last day of graduation to look for jobs..I am not sure. I am sure it's still a good program but I would like to see more evidence before calling it "awesome".</p>
<p>Heh, I'm not one to really care about these things, but just stating a fact. Most people I know of recognize UCLA as an intellectual school but you would be hard pressed to find as many that could point out a good department (even though UCLA's business department is higher than marshall's IIRC) over USC's Film/Architecture/Business schools. </p>
<p>Like I said, it makes no difference to me as I'm not even majoring in business and I know my education will be world class because I'll ensure that I take all the opportunities I can, rankings and all are a good gauge but after a while there's only so many ways you can teach something.</p>