<ol>
<li>LA</li>
<li>SB</li>
<li>SC (only because their FA sucks, and because WW & IV > LA</li>
<li>MIA</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>UCLA</li>
<li>UCSB</li>
<li>USC</li>
<li>Miami</li>
</ol>
<p>Florida is one of the worst states in the country. No way would I ever want to live there, even if it's only for 4 years.</p>
<p>If you get into UCLA, you have to be an idiot to not take up their offer of admission. However, since you are a fine arts major, it makes going to USC a little more doable on your end as well. I would recommend going to UCLA.</p>
<p>If you got into UCLA (in state) and USC with no funding, then the obvious choice is UCLA. There is no way, even including more personal attention at USC, that it is worth the difference in price. Especially since UCLA is likely considered a slightly better overall institution. Now being partially or fully funded at USC, that would be a more complex decision.</p>
<p>UCLA
USC
UCSB
Miami</p>
<p>
[quote]
3. SC (only because their FA sucks, and because WW & IV > LA
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I disagree with that. SC is known to give very good financial aid and a lot of merit aid. </p>
<p>If you intend on staying in California, USC is the way to go because connections are EVERYTHING in an arts field. </p>
<p>I'd rank them:</p>
<ol>
<li>USC</li>
<li>UMiami</li>
<li>UCLA</li>
<li>UCSB</li>
</ol>
<p>However, I'd suggest visiting as many campuses as you can to see what feels right to you.</p>
<p>Im not going to sit here and claim my state is such a great place, but can you guys be a bit more respectful.....saying that florida is the worst state is kinda hurtful dont you think, especially coming from someone who has probably only visited..</p>
<p>"1. UCLA
2. UCSB
3. USC
4. Miami</p>
<p>Florida is one of the worst states in the country. No way would I ever want to live there, even if it's only for 4 years"
What?s up with that worried students???That surprised me..I find most of your comments very wise and helpful but that was just lame..</p>
<p>Since i?m into the entertainment industry i would choose USC than UCLA>UCSB>UM</p>
<p>1: USC
2: UCLA
(big gap)
3: UCSB
4: Miami</p>
<p>Your intended field of study should influence your decision between USC and UCLA. If you are planning on a liberal arts major, then UCLA might be a better choice. Conversely, if you're looking to study a more professional field (business, communications, film, engineering, etc...) than I would choose USC.</p>
<p>I'm from miami, and while U.M. does have a nice campus, good parties, good looking students and an ocassionally good football team, it really doesnt offer much in terms of academics. You would be much better off in california, especially UCLA or USC. It would not be worth the cost as you'd be getting a second rate education compared to UCLA or USC.
U Miami has a reputation for being a playground for northeasterners looking to have fun in miami for a few years.</p>
<p>What's with all the bashing of UM?</p>
<p>"Second - rate education?"</p>
<p>What in the hell? Since when does a school thats ranked 54th (since rankings are so important around here), make it "second rate". At a certain level you have to realize that a school doesn't make the education, its what the student does with the knowledge they have gained. There are **** poor students at UCLA and there are **** poor students at UCB and at UMiami, a school is not everything to consider when receiving an education especially when you are dealing with schools that are nationally ranked amont nearly 5,000 schools. To be 54 or 16 is still an outstanding achievement.</p>
<p>Now, education wise you will receive a good enough one to make it into a grad school where rankings will matter alot more to you, so you have to consider overall how well of a fit the school is for you.</p>
<p>For example:</p>
<p>If you are a social butterfly and like to party but know when to get your work done, you may find Miami's environment better than UCLA's where they may study a bit more than you like. But i mean the social scene between USC, Umiami, and UCSB is a very hard thing to compare. UCSB is an island full of kids, but then you are sacrificing more "prestige" (though UCSB is still a great school), Umiami goes clubbing and all and you've got South Beach, and USC is known for its crazy tailgates and all to the trojan games. Personally I would go for UMiami's social scene just because I like the idea of going to the beach and partying down in south beach, though the traditional prep style of USC may fit you better. </p>
<p>Student body wise, USC>UMiami>UCSB in my opinion. More school spirit at USC, but Umiami does have a good alumni connections (though the Trojans is amazing in cali), and UCSB doesn't really have any nationally applauded teams in the big sports.</p>
<p>In my honest opinion, if you disregard prestige and stop worrying about getting the maximum amount of knowledge crammed into your skull and choose college based on what you like I think you will flourish alot better. </p>
<p>My list would be something like:
1. Umiami
2. USC
3. UCLA
4. UCSB</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
SC is known to give very good financial aid
[/QUOTE]
Really? Five of my friends got into SC, four of them are lower class, and none of them are going because SC only gave them half or a little over half to attend. The fifth one, middle class, is still contemplating whether it's worth it. Sc's FA package is one of the main reasons that turned me off from applying.</p>
<p>54th in rankings, yet a peer assessment of 3.2. The peer assessment puts it in the 73-82 range. It all depends on what you look at. Also, really, neither the US News ranking or the peer assessment is an accurate representation of how good a school's education is. Read posts in the Miami forum, yes there are parents who are very supportive of the university, but there are also students who believe it's not worth going to. Look at College Pr0wler, other student reviews, to get a sense of how the education is.</p>
<p>UCLA
USC
UCSB
Miami (sorry but Miami in no ways appeals to me. not only do i hate the south (i live here) but it's also not really an amazing school)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Im not going to sit here and claim my state is such a great place, but can you guys be a bit more respectful.....saying that florida is the worst state is kinda hurtful dont you think, especially coming from someone who has probably only visited..
[/quote]
[quote]
What?s up with that worried students???That surprised me..I find most of your comments very wise and helpful but that was just lame..
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Sorry guys, I didn’t mean it like that. I’ve been to Florida many times (my grandparents live there) and while there are things I liked about the state, I just couldn’t live there. The humidity is horrendous and the drivers are awful. Still, most of my dislike revolves around the weather. UF, FSU, New College and Miami are all good schools, but I could never live in the state of Florida. Some people really love Florida (usually people from the Northeast) because they want to get away from the cold. I can understand that.</p>
<p>Forgot about Pensacola Christian College ;)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Sc's FA package is one of the main reasons that turned me off from applying.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>USC has been criticized for giving too much merit aid. They also meet 100% of need. USC's proportion of Pell Grant recipients is among the highest in the nation, especially compared to its peer universities. I've heard USC criticized for a lot of things, but being stingy in Financial Aid is not one of them. I think you made a mistake by not even applying to see what they give you.</p>
<p>Anywhoo, for me:</p>
<p>USC/UCLA (tossup)
UCSB (would be perfectly glad to go here as well)
Miami</p>
<ol>
<li>USC</li>
<li>UCLA</li>
<li>UCSB </li>
<li>Miami</li>
</ol>
<p>I'm in-state for California, so that influences my decision (I actually applied to all of these schools but Miami). UCLA and USC are both fantastic schools, but if I attend USC, I'll be going to their journalism school (Annenberg) and getting a half-tuition scholarship for being an NMF, so that sort of throws it.</p>
<ol>
<li>USC</li>
<li>UMiami</li>
<li>UCLA</li>
<li>UCSB</li>
</ol>
<p>In my opinion, Florida is an awesome state. lots of stuff to do, especially if u like the ocean. Academically Miami does have some renowned schools. Probably not as many as Cali but to say Florida is a weak state academically is not so accurate. Fl has UF, UM, FSU and many other schools on the rise.</p>
<p>1) UCLA
2) UCSB
3) USC
4) Miami</p>
<p>IMO, UM is overrated and it's very easy to get accepted there. They also have awful dorms. It's a great school if you're a music major though. </p>
<p>The other three schools offer much more academically and socially. Miami can be a fun city but living there is MUCH different than visiting.</p>
<p>UCSB seems like an awesome school in a great city but I can't put it above UCLA. UCLA and Miami are both located in nice neighborhoods but Bel-Air/Holmby Hills/Brentwood/Westwood > Coral Gables. The academics, location, and athletics tradition at UCLA make it my #1 choice.</p>
<p>ive heard USC is quite generous in their financial aid. i have no first hand experience to back that up however. just what ive heard.</p>