<p>So basically, I'm a CC student who is hoping to transfer to either university for the Fall 2010 term. I've done a lot of research on both schools, and both have things that interest me. I'm also going to visit each school soon, to see if I like the actual campus. I don't know anyone who goes to either school, however, so I can't really get any student insight from anyone. So I would LOVE some input from any current UCLA students! What makes UCLA such an amazing school? If you applied to both, what made you choose UCLA over USC? What are the people like, and are they friendly? How is dorm life? I'll be 2-3 years younger than most people in my year (I'll be 17, 2 months shy of 18 when I transfer as a junior next year), and I'm a bit shy, but obviously I'll make an effort to make friends. Please just give me some general idea of what the school is like both academically and student-wise. Just an FYI, I'm a sociology major, just in case anyone knows anything about the department. Thank you for any help!</p>
<p>At USC, you’ll be paying four times as much for the same package! Other than that, I don’t think that all that much is different. ;-)</p>
<p>If you can’t make up your mind between the 2 schools, then I suggest that you apply to both. That will give you more time to find out about them and then decide. I would not be so sure that it will cost you more to be at USC than at UCLA since private universities have deeper pockets and might offer you a better financial package. Also, don’t forget that public universities are deeply affected by the state budget.</p>
<p>Cost and location. End of story.</p>
<p>I am curious how you are transferring in as a junior student when normally you should be completing high school at this time. Did you skip grades and what not? What’s your story, if your willing to share.</p>
<p>@sheep55: I’m definitely going to apply for both (as much as I don’t want to, I have to always remember that it’s possible that I’ll get into one and not the other, so I need options).</p>
<p>@coldness: Of course I’ll share. It’s really not that exciting. Basically, I went to a public high school (Burbank High School), and decided that I completely hated it, and transferred to independent study. I finished my junior and senior year in one year, which put me one year ahead of schedule (I just graduated in June). I have 5 units from a summer school class I took at the CC in 2007, and I’m taking 12 units this summer. I’m taking 19 in the fall, 7 in winter, and 17 in spring, so that I’ll have exactly the 60 that I need to transfer. By finishing community college in one year, I’m putting myself another year ahead, which means I’ll be 17, almost 18 going into my junior year of college instead of 19, almost 20.</p>
<p>They are both amazing schools. But the usual complaint I hear is that USC costs so much more. The truth is…UCLA is $26,000 and USC is $52,000 – so double the cost BUT…much better financial aid if you qualify. It is costing me much less to go to USC than to UCLA or Berkeley (where I was also accepted). And we’re not really low income --at $80,00 a year. So. depending on the size of your family, if your family makes less than say $70,000 to $80,000 you can probably get great financial aid. With all the budget cuts for the UC’s I’d be really concerned about the quality of education deteriorating. USC is incredibly inclusive and friendly – for all ethnicities and gay and lesbian as well. The kids are just nice!! If at all possible, visit both campuses and talk to students, teachers, etc. I think you would love USC. If they don’t come through with financial aid, then you can consider UCLA. Good luck!!</p>
<p>A common misconception about USC is it costs more. However, as many here have said, they have a pretty strong financial aid package since they’re private… not to mention the budget cuts that are affecting the UC’s.</p>
<p>Class sizes are smaller at SC so one can have more interaction with professors, which is something UCLA lacks. </p>
<p>USC’s alumni network is also much stronger than UCLA’s if you plan on staying in California.</p>
<p>Overall, USC has been on the rise while UCLA has been staying pretty static. However, UCLA’s name carries a greater weight, esp. internationally…</p>
<p>Rosieoney & yahooo got it right.</p>
<p>I’ll be a UCLA student this fall (transfer), my best friend has attended USC for 2 years.
She raves about how networking/internship/career opportunities are practically thrown at you as soon as you are a USC student. She’s working for a professor already and interning at the largest law firm in LA. I’m afraid it will be a bit more difficult to find that kind of attention among the crowded UCLA student body. Yet I’m super excited to attend UCLA - I love the public school environment.</p>
<p>Also, my best friend is finishing school in 3 years, but I’ll probably need to attend 3 years (on top of my 2 years at CC) due to the extremely limited budget affecting classes.</p>
<p>Both have opportunities, neither have guarantees.</p>
<p>A Trojan is only good once, but a bruin is forever … lol, I had to threw that out being a UCLA alumnus. 
But anyways …
You should definitely apply to both schools, and then compare the costs afterwards (with any financial aid included). They both are excellent schools with many opportunities.
UCLA is of course a public school - and that has its advantages and disadvantages. It is located in Westwood - UCLA’s own little college town - probably one of the better regions of L.A. UCLA rankings and prestige is a bit better than USC, and its name carry more recognition, especially internationally.
For Sociology, UCLA is overall better in rankings. For undergrad programs, UCLA is ranked 6th while USC is ranked 12th.
[Top</a> Sociology Schools Ranked - The 20 Best Colleges for Sociology Majors](<a href=“GoDaddy Corporate Domains - Protected”>GoDaddy Corporate Domains - Protected)
For grad programs, UCLA is still better in Sociology … ranked 9th while USC is ranked 39th.
[US</a> News and World Report | Rankings in Sociology 2009](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-sociology-schools/rankings/page+2]US”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-sociology-schools/rankings/page+2)
I guess you should visit both schools (they are not far part from each other), and see how you like each school’s community and atmosphere. You can also go and sit in a class for a day or two in each school - to get the sense of the learning atmosphere.</p>
<p>honestly, apart from cost, i dont really see how ucla tops out usc in any possible way. sure, ucla is ranked a bit higher and might have more prestige, but a private education is ideal. ucla is just so crowded and competitive at times that its just ridiculously annoying. i suppose ucla’s location is better, but usc is still in LA…</p>
<p>I will be attending UCLA this Fall and thus, I obviously have a biased view on this discussion.</p>
<p>Yet, when I consider the question, I can only help feeling that the answer is too obvious. </p>
<p>In terms of perception, there is no objective argument that cannot arrive at a solution which favors UCLA. Every publication, without variation, rates UCLA higher, although on varying degrees. When individuals from across the country consider the premier universities in California, they usally think of UC-Berkeley, Stanford, UCLA and Cal Tech. USC, oustide of Southern California, is an absolute afterthought. </p>
<p>In addition, UCLA is in Westwood; USC in the heart of South Central Los Angeles. I know where I would prefer to spend the next 4 years of my life. </p>
<p>Academically, I do not know how anyone can say USC is superior. Sure, their classes may be smaller, but I do not understand the obsession with that anyway. The faculty at UCLA features a number of world-renowned instructors who continue to produce oustanding research that not only positively shapes the Los Angeles community, but the world. I was not aware that SC had any. And their record of accomplishments in research pales in comparison to UCLA. UCLA has always held an esteemed position on the national landscape insofar as academics are concerned. USC has always been percieved as a rich-kids school with second-rate academics. Apart from the rankings in the US News and World Report (there are additional ones, you know), that perception has not changed in the slightest.</p>
<p>As far as campus life is concerned, UCLA is absolutely brimming with activity. With over 900 active student organizations, there is a wealth of opportunities to get involved. I am not aware of the situation at USC in regards to this. </p>
<p>In terms of the size of the student population, UCLA has more than 20,000 undergraduate students. These are some of the brightest students in the country, if not the world, and the development that will surely arrive from being exposed to such competition is one of UCLA’s strongpoints. SC, on the other hand, has a smaller undergraduate population, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on one’s point of view. </p>
<p>Pricewise, UCLA is obviously a much better deal. One will recieve a better education for less than half the price. </p>
<p>In assessing the athletics at either institution, UCLA is again superior. UCLA has the premier athletic department in the country, with 102 national championships. USC, on the other hand, has only 88 (I believe).</p>
<p>Thus, in comparing either university, it primarily comes down to the type of person that you are. </p>
<p>UCLA is huge. Everything about it is larger than life. You will not be cuddled, your hand will not be held, and in my opinion, that is how it should be. You will be asked to compete against the cream of the crop and those challenges will only benefit you. You will literally have the world at your fingertips with so much to choose from in regards to extra-curriculars, community service, internships, and so forth. It is absolutely amazing and I genuinely cannot wait to begin in the Fall. </p>
<p>USC, on the other hand, is for a different type of person. It is a smaller school, and you will therefore have better access to professors and faculty. You will be pampered to a greater degree, which may suit you. Essentially, not as much will be asked of you, and in my opinion, that is detrimental to personal growth. But that is what you get with a private university education: insulation from the rigors of the real world. If that insulation is worth an additional $30,000, then SC may be the correct choice for you. I don’t know your financial situation, and thus I cannot make any realistic assessment. </p>
<p>Yet, when I visited USC, I could not help feeling that the whole experience was contrived. It felt as if they were attempting to sell me a used car. They seemed absolutely hellbent on portraying a certain image. And yet, to me at least, there was no substance behind that gloss; only meaningless rhetoric, albeit cleverly used. </p>
<p>Again, I want to point that this is coming from an extremely biased person. If you have your heart set on attending USC, then do not let my words sway your resolve. Objectively speaking, SC does have its merits (alumni connections, primarily). However, it was not for me. I wanted a different experience.</p>
<p>that is extremely biased. you cant really add anything meaningful to his discussion seeing as you havent even started here. you arent “pampered” at a private school–you are just given the resources that any student should have. when you come to ucla and realize that you cant even ask your TA/professor a question due to the sheer amounts of students in line, then come back to this thread.</p>
<p>the large number of students is a bad thing if anything. and obviously ucla has more clubs…more people= more clubs. you cant put down usc’s athletics too. both are good.</p>
<p>ill admit, though…ucla does have some ballin professors. dont know how usc’s professors are.</p>
<p>I believe that I can offer something meaningful to this discussion. She merely posed the question: What do you think is better about UCLA? I told her what I thought. Just because I have not taken any classes does not inhibit me from having a general impression of what UCLA is, and what I appreciated about the university. Nor does it preclude me from saying what I think of UCLA in comparison to USC. After all, she is a prospective student. Don’t you think the experiences that I had as a prospective student would help her draw some conclusions about either campus? I think it would. </p>
<p>In terms of SC students being pampered, perhaps I did exaggerate. But you also exaggerate when you unwisely exclaim that UCLA students have no access to their instructors. UCLA professors and TA’s are required to have office hours in which students can be proactive and discuss their misgivings and questions with said professors. The notion that UCLA students are isolated from their instructors is an absolute fallacy. People assume that since there are so many students at UCLA, that they must not have access to their instructors. It is an incorrect assumption. </p>
<p>You are right, however, it is difficult to put down USC’s athletics. They have some amazing programs and they have a top 5 athletic department. They have accomplished a good deal, although the means by which they have done it is somewhat questionable.</p>
<p>i would say when i made my decision i considered the following factors:
- cost, U$c is twice the cost of UCLA for me
- location, obviously i meant westwood vs central LA, i liked the westwood side better
- class size, i don’t really know why but i was really attracted to the big lectures, i feel like im in college in a class with 100 students while i feel like it would be highschool all over again for 30 to 50 student classes
- reputation, obviously more people have heard of UCLA, also because USC had a lot of negative reputations such as a lot of students somewhat “paid” their way into college (know a family friend who didn’t have too good grades but rich, and he got in) not saying his family paid the school but the school sees those families as a good source of donations (heard the lowest choice of donation for USC when they ask are in the hundreds range)
- sports, im a big sports fan (all sports not just football and basketball) and i am sick of those who claim to be a “USC football fan and UCLA basketball fan”, i liked UCLA football simply since LA didn’t have a NFL team and since we are paying taxes to the state might as well support the team we are paying for also that USC fans are very obnoxious and the typical glory hunters when it comes to sports
- i like blue more than red? :D</p>
<p>BruinBlitz07–You sound like someone in a UCLA commercial. LOL, I love it though. I have to correct you though. This year we reached 104 National team national championships. Not that 88 is shabby or anything, though. And football’s been rough, lately (crosses fingers for an amazing season).</p>
<p>As a Bruin, I gotta push my school. I love it. The atmosphere, the English department (what’s all this talk of large classes?? 
), the beautiful campus, the (IMHO) great dorm food (c’mon, have you eaten at other college cafeterias? Bleck.), the diversity and wealth of opportunity. BUT, it all comes down to how you personally fit in with a school. U$C didn’t even come across my thoughts when applying to colleges–it just wasn’t for me. And I don’t regret UCLA for a second after one amazing year so far.</p>
<p>Final points:
- Visit both schools! This is SO crucial. Get a feel for campus life and academic life by walking around, talking to students, taking a tour. This is how I fell in love with UCLA. Just by being there and seeing the school in action.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Prestige and alumni connections exist in both institutions, and rankings don’t mean as much as they’re chalked up to. That said, these things mean more or less according to your intended area of study and career field, so take that into consideration. As an English major headed for (most likely) many years of grad school, I don’t care a whole lot about a #15 ranking versus a #23 ranking (or whatever).</p></li>
<li><p>Choosing a university is such a deeply personal choice, only you can make it. I think it’s best to ask people’s experiences and to use specific questions rather than ask which is better, from heavily biased people. Whatever decision you make is probably the right one, because you make it! :D</p></li>
</ol>
<p>OMG. I have to agree with kick53rv4 that (A) U$C fans are meaner/more annoying than Bruins fans in my experience, and (B) blue is soooo much better than red. Too much red gets real old real fast.</p>
<p>“In terms of SC students being pampered, perhaps I did exaggerate. But you also exaggerate when you unwisely exclaim that UCLA students have no access to their instructors. UCLA professors and TA’s are required to have office hours in which students can be proactive and discuss their misgivings and questions with said professors. The notion that UCLA students are isolated from their instructors is an absolute fallacy. People assume that since there are so many students at UCLA, that they must not have access to their instructors. It is an incorrect assumption.”</p>
<p>what the hell? no duh im talking about office hours. if youre a south campus major, then office hours are usually packed with students.</p>
<p>Well, perhaps that has been your experience. Yet, at this point in my academic career, my professors for the Fall have been very responsive. I have already e-mailed them several times with questions concerning their classes, and they have been nothing short of helpful. I am a North Campus major, however, so that must be where the discrepancy is arising.</p>
<p>And, if you do not wish to be misunderstood, perhaps you should write with greater clarity. You made it sound as if students were lining up after class and had no access to their instructors. You did not mention office hours, instead you assumed that I would understand your jargon. As you so wisely pointed out, I am an incoming student, not a current student, remember? I do not know how things operate at this juncture.</p>