<p>@UChopeful
Wow…a voice of reason. You would do terrible in politics lol.</p>
<p>True, there are reasons to pick USC over UCLA. What are they? Well, it is individualistic. </p>
<p>UChopeful, I understand that some may pick USC over UCLA for personal reasons just as some may pick UCR over UCLA for personal reasons. </p>
<p>We understand for people with these abberational reasons picking USC over UCLA is a good choice, however, for the typical student who has no idea what he wants to major in yet, and just wants to pick the better overall university, the choice is easy: UCLA.</p>
<p>Even if I am wrong, and UCLA and USC are both equal. Why would someone who does not know what they want to do yet and is comming in undeclared as most do, pay 30K at USC vs 8K at UCLA for an equal or worse school?</p>
<p>Isn’t the thread named “Why go to USC?” Well there it is…personal reasons. Each school is going to appeal to a certain student. If the choice is so easily UCLA, I would suspect UCLA would be significantly more difficult to get admitted into. However, they are relatively similar in admissions. This leads me to believe UCLA is not as superior in all matters concerning students as some of you would like to think. </p>
<p>Also, I do tend to think transfer students are not typical students. They have a greater idea of what they want to major in compared to their freshman counterparts. Thus, issues concerning individual majors do play a greater role in the school decision process.</p>
<p>You should go to USC because: </p>
<p>It has no Unit caps, Like UCLA where they will not hesitate to remind you that you you can only have 216 units before being asked to leave or graduate,</p>
<p>You can combine many fields of study for example you can:</p>
<p>Major in political science and minor in interactive multimedia</p>
<p>Major in business and minor in bioethics</p>
<p>Double-major in biomedical engineering and Russian</p>
<p>Major in cinematic arts and minor in psychology.</p>
<p>At USC, learning has no boundaries. In addition to the broad array of majors and minors, USC offers undergraduates an academic life full of opportunities to participate in research with faculty, study abroad and learn by serving the community.</p>
<p>Special Programs for Undergraduates</p>
<p>Renaissance Scholars
This program recognizes outstanding achievement by undergraduates in two or more fields of study.</p>
<p>Discovery Scholars
This program honors undergraduates who excel in the classroom while demonstrating the ability to create exceptional new scholarship or artistic works.</p>
<p>Global Scholars
This program recognizes undergraduates who have excelled in their studies both at home and abroad, including spending at least ten weeks outside the United States as part of their undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>Honors in Multimedia Scholarship
Explore the creative, expressive potential of multimedia in scholarly contexts in this honors program, open to undergraduates in all majors. Learn how to use images, video, sound and interactivity, and create a capstone project in your major.
Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly and Creative Work
Find out how to participate in USC’s annual symposium for undergraduates. Each year hundreds of students exhibit the results of their research and creative work at this university-wide event.</p>
<p>USC Learning Communities
Learn about this special program for freshman designed to help you explore your options before choosing a major.</p>
<p>Joint Educational Project
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to combine academic coursework with experiences in the community surrounding the campus.</p>
<p>Freshman Seminars
If you’re a Freshman, you can work closely with distinguished faculty members and earn credits in these engaging, 10 to 11 week seminar series.</p>
<p>Office of Overseas Studies
Expand your horizons through one of USC’s exciting overseas programs.</p>
<p>Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies
Dive into this state-of-the-art living laboratory on beautiful Catalina island, specializing in hands-on marine and terrestrial research and education.</p>
<p>USC Core
Explore the “big picture.” Sharpen your critical thinking in this program that integrates general education, writing, and diversity courses.</p>
<p>Multimedia in the Core
Expand your skills with images, video and sound in conjunction with General Education courses in USC’s innovative Multimedia in the Core Program</p>
<p>USC Spectrum
Take in an annual season of the finest in performing arts, music, theatre and lecture programs sponsored by this program of the Division of Student Affairs.</p>
<p>Visions and Voices: The USC Arts and Humanities Initiative
Attend theatrical productions, music and dance performances, conferences, lectures, film screenings and many other special events – both on and off campus – followed by special opportunities to dialogue and interact with artists, writers, professors and special guests.</p>
<p>Thematic Option
Enjoy small classes with some of the University’s best undergraduate teachers in this interdisciplinary honors program.</p>
<p>What Matters to Me and Why
Hear distinguished faculty members talk about the things that really matter to them in this exciting faculty speakers’ series sponsored by the USC Office of Religious Life.</p>
<p>Majors at USC</p>
<p>School of Architecture
Architectural Studies (B.S.)
Architecture (B.Arch.)
Landscape Architecture (B.L.Arch.)
Leventhal School of Accounting
Accounting (B.S.)
Marshall School of Business
Business Administration (B.S.)
Business Administration (Cinema-Television) (B.S.)
Business Administration (East Asian Studies) (B.S.)
Business Administration (International Relations) (B.S.)
Computer Science/Business Administration (B.S.)
School of Cinematic Arts
Animation and Digital Arts (B.A.<em>)
Cinematic Arts, Critical Studies (B.A.</em>)
Cinematic Arts, Film and Television Production (B.A.<em>)
Interactive Entertainment (B.A.</em>)
Writing for Screen and Television (B.F.A.)
Annenberg School for Communication
Broadcast Journalism (B.A.<em>)
Communication (B.A.</em>)
Print Journalism (B.A.<em>)
Public Relations (B.A.</em>)
School of Dentistry
Dental Hygiene (B.S.)
Viterbi School of Engineering
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering (B.S.)
Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Mechanical Engineering (Petroleum Engineering) (B.S.)
Astronautics and Space Technology
Astronautical Engineering (B.S.)
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering (B.S.)
Biomedical Engineering (Biochemical Engineering) (B.S.)
Biomedical Engineering (Electrical Engineering) (B.S.)
Biomedical Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (B.S.)
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering (B.S.)
Chemical Engineering (Biochemical Engineering) (B.S.)
Chemical Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (B.S.)
Chemical Engineering (Nanotechnology) (B.S.)
Chemical Engineering (Petroleum Engineering) (B.S.)
Chemical Engineering (Polymer/Materials Science) (B.S.)
Civil Engineering
Applied Mechanics (B.S.)
Civil Engineering (B.S.)
Civil Engineering (Building Science) (B.S.)
Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (B.S.)
Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering) (B.S.)
Environmental Engineering (B.S.)
Computer Science
Computer Science (B.S.<em>)
Computer Science (Games) (B.S.</em>)
Computer Science/Business Administration (B.S.)
Physics/Computer Science (B.S.<em>)
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering and Computer Science (B.S.)
Electrical Engineering (B.S.)
Electrical Engineering (Computers) (B.S.)
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Industrial and Systems Engineering (B.S.)
Industrial and Systems Engineering (Information Systems Engineering) (B.S.)
Roski School of Fine Arts
Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
Fine Arts (Studio Arts) (B.A.</em>)
Davis School of Gerontology
Human Development and Aging (B.S.)
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
American Studies and Ethnicity
American Studies and Ethnicity (B.A.)
American Studies and Ethnicity (African American Studies) (B.A.)
American Studies and Ethnicity (Asian American Studies) (B.A.)
American Studies and Ethnicity (Chicano/Latino Studies) (B.A.)
Anthropology
Anthropology (B.A.)
Anthropology (Urban Applied Anthropology) (B.A.)
Anthropology (Visual Anthropology) (B.A.)
Interdisciplinary Archaeology (B.A.)
Art History (B.A.)
Biochemistry (B.S.*<em>)
Biological Sciences (B.A., B.S.)
Chemistry (B.A., B.S.)
Classics (B.A.)
Comparative Literature (B.A.)
Earth Sciences
Earth Sciences (B.A.)
Geological Sciences (B.S.)
East Asian Area Studies (B.A.)
East Asian Languages and Cultures
East Asian Languages and Cultures (B.A.)
Linguistics/East Asian Languages and Cultures (B.A.)
Economics
Economics (B.A.)
Economics/Mathematics (B.S.)
English
English (B.A.)
English (Creative Writing) (B.A.)
Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies (Biology) (B.S.)
Environmental Studies (Business) (B.A.)
Environmental Studies (Chemistry) (B.S.)
Environmental Studies (Earth Sciences) (B.S.)
Environmental Studies (Geography) (B.A.)
Environmental Studies (Public Policy and Management) (B.A.)
Environmental Studies (Social Sciences) (B.A.)
French and Italian
French (B.A.)
Italian (B.A.)
Gender Studies (B.A.)
Geography (B.A.)
German (B.A.)
Health and Humanity (B.A.)
History
History (B.A.)
History and Social Science Education (B.A.)
Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A.)
International Relations
International Relations (B.A.)
International Relations (Global Business) (B.A.)
Middle East Studies (B.A.)
Kinesiology
Human Performance (B.A.)
Kinesiology (B.S.)
Linguistics
Linguistics (B.A.)
Linguistics/East Asian Languages and Cultures (B.A.)
Linguistics/Philosophy (B.A.)
Linguistics/Psychology (B.A.)
Mathematics
Mathematics (B.A., B.S.)
Applied and Computational Mathematics (B.A., B.S.)
Narrative Studies (B.A.)
Neuroscience (B.A.)
Philosophy
Linguistics/Philosophy (B.A.)
Philosophy (B.A.)
Philosophy (Ethics, Law and Value Theory) (B.A.)
Philosophy, Politcs and Law (B.A.)
Physical Sciences (B.S.)
Physics and Astronomy
Astronomy (B.A., B.S.)
Biophysics (B.S.)
Physics (B.A., B.S.)
Physics/Computer Science (B.S.)
Political Science (B.A.)
Psychology
Linguistics/Psychology (B.A.)
Psychology (B.A.)
Religion
Religion (B.A.)
Religion (Judaic Studies) (B.A.)
Slavic Languages and Literatures
Russian (B.A.)
Social Sciences
Social Sciences (Economics) (B.A.)
Social Sciences (Psychology) (B.A.)
Sociology (B.A.)
Spanish and Portuguese
Spanish (B.A.)
Keck School of Medicine
Global Health (B.S.)
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies (B.S.)
Thornton School of Music
Composition (B.M.)
Jazz Studies (B.M.)
Music (B.A.</em>)
Music Education (B.M.)
Music Industry (B.M., B.S.)
Performance (Bassoon) (B.M.)
Performance (Clarinet) (B.M.)
Performance (Classical Guitar) (B.M.)
Performance (Double Bass) (B.M.)
Performance (Flute) (B.M.)
Performance (French Horn) (B.M.)
Performance (Harp) (B.M.)
Performance (Oboe) (B.M.)
Performance (Organ) (B.M.)
Performance (Percussion) (B.M.)
Performance (Popular Music) (B.M.)
Performance (Piano) (B.M.)
Performance (Saxophone) (B.M.)
Performance (Studio Guitar) (B.M.)
Performance (Trombone) (B.M.)
Performance (Trumpet) (B.M.)
Performance (Tuba) (B.M.)
Performance (Viola) (B.M.)
Performance (Violin) (B.M.)
Performance (Violoncello) (B.M.)
Performance (Vocal Arts) (B.M.)
Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy (B.S.<em>)
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
Public Policy, Management and Planning (B.S.)
School of Theatre
Theatre (B.A.</em>)
Theatre (Acting) (B.F.A.)
Theatre (Design) (B.F.A.)
Theatre (Stage Management) (B.F.A.)
Theatre (Technical Direction) (B.F.A.)</p>
<p>And if you would like to be a doctor, they do have :</p>
<p>Baccalaureate/MD Program</p>
<p>The Baccalaureate/MD program is designed for students who want to incorporate a broad understanding of human experience with their professional expertise. You will spend your time in the program learning about the breadth of health professions, researching and volunteering at a USC facility, and discussing how to improve health education. These topics are as important as the basics of chemistry, microbiology, and physiology in pursuing a career in medicine.</p>
<p>A guarantee of admission to medical school can free you from following the traditional science-dominated pre-med path and allow the freedom to explore many academic subjects and student activities. Baccalaureate/MD students have the time to conduct serious research, study abroad, pursue internships, and serve as leaders in the community. Service, new ideas, and values are core components of the program.</p>
<p>and much much more… </p>
<p>check out the school at: </p>
<p>[USC</a> Architecture Tour 4/19/08 - a set on Flickr](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/btmeacham/sets/72157604649496869/with/2429200289/]USC”>USC Architecture Tour 4/19/08 | Flickr)</p>
<p>the school is also next to the rose garden, the science center, and natural history museum, LACMA…</p>
<p>Like I said, great school. I really doubt you need to sell it to a bunch of rag-tag community college kids like us, Art. We’ll be happy to go anywhere next fall!</p>
<p>I chose USC because of my major (Public Policy, Management, and Planning), because of the great aid I got, for the networking opportunities, for the small class sizes, for the personalized education that I have at my disposal, for the school spirit, for its proximity to downtown LA (for internship opportunities), for the lively social atmosphere, for football season, …I can go on and on.</p>
<p>I am still open to both. I am applying to both but my decision is still up in the air. They are like almost exactly equal in terms of academics and prestige, but I am thinking that the extra money it cost to go to USC would be for industry connections right? For example, if two people are english majors, both want to go to a top 10 law school, which undergrad degree looks better USC or UCLA? Secondly, two people applying for a job in California graduated from USC and UCLA, both have the same major and equal GPA etc…who gets that job? Also apply this question to two people appying for jobs out of state.</p>
<p>You’re overthinking this way too much. Now that you’ve visited USC, go to UCLA and just see which one YOU like. There is no “clear choice” for everyone when choosing a college. If everyone thought the same way as the majority of posters on this board then USC would be an empty school.</p>
<p>And as for your scenarios, seeing as USC and UCLA are of similar caliber, it doesn’t matter where you go, it’s what you do while you’re there that matters.</p>
<p>Oh I have seen UCLA. It is muuuuuuuch nicer visually. The area is very upscale and the crime rate is lower. USC has some nice parts, but many ghetto parts and the area is VERY ghetto. So based on looks alone UCLA is my choice, but thats the whole point I was seeking. If nobody can prove that there is a 30 thousand dollar reason (like connections, or better law school matriculation rates etc…) to go to USC versus UCLA then I will choose UCLA. However, it’s not a bad situation to be in if I am lucky enough to be in the situation to have a choice between the two. So, If I am in that situation next spring then no choice is the wrong choice.</p>
<p>Okay, for those who continue to claim that USC is better - your claims are not well-supported. First of all, the quality of athletics is honestly not something to be considered unless you are an athlete. For that, it doesn’t really matter as long as you are an excellent player, you will make it to the big leagues. </p>
<p>UCLA outranks USC overall in most departments. They do not have all the majors that USC has, but that does not mean much. UCLA is located in Westwood, California which is a lot safer of a college town than that of South Central. Admittedly, USC has a business program and such, but USC’s business program is not top (more so, within the top 15). Though overall, UCLA is a better institution. UCLA is known as being one of the “Public Ivies” and USC is known as…well, a school. Also, USC inflates some of their scores in order to appear as a better school than it actually is.</p>
<p>So, given the opportunity, I’d say pick UCLA if you get in. I got into both myself and selected UCLA. For better decision, considering that UCLA is 26k whereas USC is 53k. Also, students may not get the financial aid for USC that someone claimed in the previous thread. So, the real question is - why go to a more expensive, lower ranked school (USC) when you could go to a higher ranked, less expensive institution?</p>
<p>I think your question JMeredith011 has already been answered numerous times. Also, I don’t believe anyway here claimed USC was better—just a better fit for certain individuals.</p>
<p>Both schools have their advantages and give credit because in reality, who gives a shhit about undergrad? The research the school offers to students and the graduate school are where both UCLA and USC shine. </p>
<p>USC offers a pharmacy program that UCLA does not offer. USC has a medical school, but UCLA has a great reputation in the medical field. Both schools offer a dentistry program. UCLA has great in the medical engineering and research including Stem Cells and Nanomachine. </p>
<p>UCLA and USC are not that different from each other. Both schools have a strong name, but with UCLA has a slight advantage of being known around Asia. USC is a great school for people who are into the arts, like music and film. Also they have a better business program than UCLA’s and have a strong alumni support for finance and business graduates. UCLA is better than USC in the science and engineering department, even though I heard from UCLA engineering students, UCLA’s program is slightly overrated in that department.</p>
<p>If you want to go to UCLA because it looks pretty, then go there. I see both schools as great schools that it’s unbelievable that there is a thread like this.</p>
<p>There is a thread like this because people have advice on pros and cons of each school. It’s not a school bashing thread. Just want some simple pros and cons.</p>
<p>Your out of pocket expense will be about the same at both schools. USC is more expensive, but they usually give enough financial aid to cover the difference. The ranking difference is insignificant. There are positives and negatives to both schools. I chose UCLA primarily because of location.
When I was considering schools to apply to, USC was one of the schools I was thinking about. One night I did a google search for “USC transfers,” and clicked a link to an article on USC’s newspaper website about community college transfers. The article itself was favorable towards CCC transfers, but there were probably 50 comments from USC students bashing them. About one in ten of the comments on the page were supportive, and I suspect those were mostly from people who had transferred to the school. I realize the only people who comment after news articles are ■■■■■■, but still, I lost interest in USC after reading most of those comments. “University of Spoiled Children” was running through my mind.
Ultimately it never made a difference as UCLA was always my first choice. USC lost my $75 application fee though because I didn’t even bother applying.
I never got that vibe from UCLA students. I’m sure there are some pretentious pricks there as well, but everyone I’ve met so far hasn’t seemed to care.</p>
<p>Why go to USC? Because USC alumni make more money. Have you seen all those BMW’s around LA with USC alumni license plates? ;]</p>
<p>Don’t take this reply too seriously everyone. </p>
<p>I’m kinda biased towards USC though because my brother went to the film school. It’s been part of my life for a while now.</p>
<p>You’re better off not listening to most people here. </p>
<p>I can’t say I know enough about both schools to give you sound advice, but don’t listen to people who say this school is ranked higher ergo it’s a superior school.</p>
<p>USC and UCLA are both tremendous schools, and honestly, who cares if one is ranked higher in US and News Report?</p>