My younger brother got a Regents Scholar invitation from UC Berkeley and UCLA. He also got an admit from USC today.
His preferred major is economics, although he got into USC’s Marshall and if he went to Berkeley, would want to pursue Haas (econ as backup). At UCLA, he’d do business econ.
He lives in Los Angeles, and my brother told me UC Berkeley is his favorite school – when he visited, he thought it was a perfect fit. It’s also “ranked” higher than UCLA and USC. However, my brother told me has no intention or desire to stay in the SF Bay Area post-graduation, and would like to pursue a business-career in the Greater Los Angeles area or San Diego.
If his explicit desire is to come back to LA after college, would going to UCLA or USC be distinctly better for his career prospects? Or would going to Berkeley not hinder him in the search for an LA/SoCal-based job? I’m a Berkeley alumnus myself, but I stayed in the Bay, so i don’t know.
He said while Cal is his “best fit” on an emotional level, he’d be willing to attend either UCLA or USC if those would be best for SoCal jobs – we’ve heard USC’s alumni network is incredible down south, although Cal’s LA alumni network I’m sure is nothing to sneeze at.
Berkeley is very, very well regarded. If he likes it best, he should 100% go there. People in the LA area definitely know how difficult it is to get into, how rigorous the programs are, etc…
Throughout the state next to Stanford UCB is #1. It is also #4 on the USNWR world rankings. If it’s also his first choice, why wouldn’t he go there? Wondering what other people in SoCal think is foolish. His education belongs to him, not anyone else.
Thank you so much for the replies!! Appreciate it. I should have specified – by “reputation,” I mean more in the eyes of employers than the public at large. But it seems attending Cal won’t hinder him at all for LA jobs. I’ll let him know!
Yes, he got a pretty big scholarship from USC to the point where it’s reached parity with Berkeley and UCLA with tuition (it’s slightly more expensive). That’s why this is a difficult choice for us, he has three great schools to choose from now!
He likes Cal the best, but does admit that the incredible strength of the USC trojan alumni network is appealing. We’ll definitely have to deliberate, although he’s most likely leaning Berkeley.
OK, here goes. Berkeley has outstanding reputation around the globe. If he is motivated by job prospects, he needs to consider strongly USC Marshall. Here is my rational. Berkeley you can’t count on getting into Haas. Econ majors are competing with Haas graduates for jobs. Not as easy. USC has amazing alumni network. Marshall has very good job placement. Also local internship opportunities. I would take the sure thing of Marshall, over the 37% chance of Haas admission… Also, at USC, no problem graduating in 4 years. Can’t go wrong with any of his choices…
Congratulations to your brother in being admitted to all 3 highly competitive schools. As you mentioned, he indicated that his preferred major is econ and if he went to Berkeley, he would apply to Haas, but no guarantee that he will be admitted.
Overall, Cal is more renowned nationally and internationally than USC. Cal has many distinguished faculty members (many Nobel Prize Literates, the current Federal Reserve Chairperson, etc.). USC has a great reputation in So. Cal and the past few decades is now making inroads in California in establishing itself as a very elite university. USC’s does not have as many distinguished professors as Cal. That is why, in a nut shell, Cal is more renowned worldwide than USC.
I don’t believe your brother will go wrong chosing his first choice, Cal.
@jaknextgen10 All 3 have very good reps and alumni networks in SoCal. If he gets into Haas, that is known to be more competitive so would probably be “more prestigious” enough to make it worthwhile. But he should also really do his due diligence with the 3 schools by talking to students. Since he is Regents he would have an easier time with oversubscribed courses (or so I’ve been told - don’t have any first hand experience) but econ is a very popular major at UCLA and Cal, I believe.
If he does not get into Haas (and no way of knowing) I think by reputation in LA the 3 schools are fairly well on par. I would guess, from talking to some of my friends that hire, that resumes from those 3 schools go basically in the same pile and GPA and other factors will be most important.
Long winded way of saying - talk to a bunch of Econ/Business students at all 3 schools, go where he thinks the fit is best. Can’t really go wrong if you all can afford it.
Wow, so many great choices! D got into all 3 of these schools, but USC was off the table as they didn’t throw any $ her way. This makes it tougher for your brother. I’d say Cal (biased, sorry), but it’s definitely a crapshoot getting into Haas. Econ major at Cal is still nothing to sneeze at, and he probably would have no problem declaring that if Haas slips from his grasp (doubtful, if he continues doing whatever he did to get Regents in the first place ^:)^).
At the end of the day, he needs to feel like the school is a good fit, where he can be successful. As a data point, D has a classmate that REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to get into UCLA (waitlisted). Is now going to Cal (which, I’m sorry, cannot be considered a compromise from an academic standpoint), and I don’t think it suits him at all. His middling grades and going home pretty much every weekend sort of tell the tale.
So, do I think a degree from Cal would hinder your brother’s chances in the SoCal market? No. Regents gives him priority registration, guaranteed housing for 4 years (LIKE GOLD at Cal), etc. Also, I know he intends to find work in the SoCal area, but what if those plans change? A Cal degree holds a higher rep in more places. Personally, I find the Berkeley/Bay Area to be richer in experiences for the college student (cultural, natural, etc.) than the UCLA/USC immediate areas, and that’s coming from someone who spent almost half her life down there.
OP, another thought occurred. These days, you really need an MBA to even be invited to the table at many companies. How about undergrad at USC and graduate at Cal? USC #31 on USNWR’s Best Business Schools list; Haas is #7.
@Undercrackers What makes you say that? All major companies in accounting, finance, consulting, etc. hire tons of graduates fresh out of Berkeley, UCLA, and USC
@thatkidgoingtocollege OK, I clearly overstepped on that one. I’m not urging OP’s brother to go that route if that wasn’t the plan. If that is the plan, my point is that he can go two to different schools.
He has three outstanding options. If Cal is his favorite and it’s affordable, he should go ahead and become a Golden Bear.
UC-Berkeley is impressive on any grad school app or resume and, more importantly, the level of academics/faculty probably is as good as any other school on earth. It might not have some of the benefits of private schools, but academically Cal is among the very best – by reputation, of course, not having had the benefit of attending.
He is going to get a great education at any of those schools. Posting on the UCB forum you are going to get way more UCB endorsements. You should also post on the USC forum. Personally, I would go private USC 100%. Marshall and all its connections are fantastic. I would take the sure thing and not deal with the uncertainty of getting into Haas and struggle at UCB. Scholarship kids are treated like gold at USC, perhaps Regents are too, idk about that - but certainly less hassle at USC. However, it seems he prefers UCB, and that is what matters - job prospects await at any of those, but I am biased and favor that USC alumni network.
Talking to people during the regents overnight it sounds like regent scholars have an increased chance of getting into Haas or getting research positions. Unsure whether this is because of the type of students who achieve regents or if it really helps having it on your resume/the extra faculty connections make an impact.
I went to USC (Pharmacy School), My older son went to UCLA and my youngest is graduating from Cal. I can not speak to business connections, but I live in Southern California (Orange County) and whenever I wear a Cal hat, strangers will consistently comment “Go Bears”. It doesn’t happen nearly as often when I wear USC or UCLA apparel.
@tx5athome that’s funny. We travel a lot and for fun have tried out wearing various gear (not Cal tho) and are always surprised that USC and Mich get you called out all over the place. Taiwan, Niagra falls, beach in Kohala Coast…
That would be a fun experiment: # of call out per ballcap!