[aria]

I'm trying to decide between USC and UCLA, and after a month of visiting campuses and thinking I think my decision became harder... so I wanted some input from people who know about or who attend(ed) either school because I'm really stuck on my decision. Because of various scholarships and grants, both schools are about the same cost for me ($6,000). I'm going in as an English major, but I'm also looking in to double majoring/possibly transferring into creative writing, dance, and vocals. USC is a lot stronger in the vocal department, but UCLA is stronger in their dance major (USC only has a dance minor, whereas UCLA has a dance major available).

Oh poo. T_T So here is my pro and cons list so far...

UCLA pros
- nice area
- dance
- really strong english dept.
- 20 min from beach

UCLA cons
- really big (especially class size)
- triple dorms/plazas/suites for freshmen
- not strong in perf. arts other than dance and theater

USC pros
- vocals
- small class size
- apartment with one roommate
- great alum connections
- high security

USC cons
- horrible neighborhood
- no dance T_T
- i haven't heard much about usc english dept.
- everyone is very focused on studies, so people don't come out for clubs or activities

=[ help!

[clairdeluned]

USC cons
- horrible neighborhood
- everyone is very focused on studies, so people don't come out for clubs or activities

I'm not sure about anything else, but these two...

First of all, USC is NOT in a horrible neighborhood! I know it isn't next to Bel Air like UCLA but really, considering that LA is a city and USC is in the middle of it, the neighborhood really isn't that bad. Besides, why are you planning on going outside the neighborhood anyway? USC as a campus is very safe and there is plenty to do inside, and if you do want to go somewhere, K-town is ridiculously close to USC and you can go there whenever you want.

Secondly...you're kidding right? Everyone is really focused on studies? USC students have a social life. In fact, the majority of them go to Westwood on the weekends anyway (same place where a lot of UCLA students hang out). Besides, every time there is a football game, everyone goes. If that's not social, I don't know what is. There are tons of clubs and activities at USC, not to mention a raging Greek scene, so I don't know where you're getting that idea. I haven't met a single USC student who isn't involved in at least one club, a fraternity/sorority, or the marching band.

[WhiteMorningStar]

First and foremost, congratulations on getting in UCLA and USC

Secondly, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA.

LOL. USC? Quiet study-school that doesn't party??? State your sources, mon. Clearly someone's mistaken.

I am currently at CAL but I did get into UCLA and USC as well and at first, I thought I really wanted to stay in LA so I was at your shoes some time not too long ago and can relate.

I'm an English major as well, who was also very interested in the creative writing/vocal/dance training but personally, I would have gone to USC had I not decided to give Nor Cal a try.

If your main focus is dance, then hey, do go to UCLA, since UCLA offers more performance-based dance classes vs. USC, which concentrates more on history and research. But if not, I suggest USC.

Here are some reasons why:
1). Trojan network. If you plan on living in LA after graduation, you won't have much trouble finding jobs.
2). As you've already stated, small student-staff ratio. The professors will be more intimate with you-- you'll have more 1 on 1 interaction with your mentors and professors and believe it or not, this will be more beneficial to you in the future than you realize at the moment.
3). More opportunities (scholarships, grants, research, leadership, etc.).

The decision is yours but just think carefully I suppose out of the states, UCLA is considered more prestigious but I'd choose the school that can offer me more. Give this an extra hard thought if you plan on going to grad school

[hyerim07]

http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=46951

Look at post #9

[WhiteMorningStar]

I miss USC. Well, living near it, that is. Hahaha. I used to love the library there.

[gary]

you should choose the school based on the major. if it provides what you want education wise, you can sacrifice 4 years of your life for your future

[kOoHII]

ucla. usc's classes aren't that small. ucla is more prestigious. usc's undergrad. is not respected by many human resources departments (although their grad. schools are)

ucla. usc's classes aren't that small. ucla is more prestigious. usc's undergrad. is not respected by many human resources departments (although their grad. schools are)

[theedqueen]

Well, I'm currently at UCLA so I'll give you my perspective (and since I don't know anything about USC I won't say anything about that)

Class sizes are actually not that big. Mostly the big classes are for science and math classes and since you're an english major I don't think you have to worry about that. And the campus itself isn't that big either. I think either my orientation cousnelor or my RA(who's also a tour guide for the campus) said that UCLA has the smallest campus out of all the UCs surprisingly enough.

About the triple dorm thing: it's not a bad thing. rooming with two other people isn't as important as the actual people you room with. And I think there should be some rooms as doubles still available, it's just that the rate of triples is going to be higher next year than this year is b/c sproul will be undergoing construction. I was originally placed in a triple in rieber hall, but then rieber vista opened up and housing e-mailed me asking if I wanted a double there and so I did. So you never know.

And just in general I've had a blast so far (this is my first year). I've met some really really awesome people and my dorm experience has been overall very good.

Oh yea, and if I were you I'd pick UCLA since it's a public school. I'm not saying that the quality of education at private schools are bad. It's just my preference and I won't go into details as to why since I might up on a soap box ^^;

Anyways, congrats into getting in both UCLA and USC (and score on those scholarships, I wish I got that kind of a deal T_T). Good luck wherever you do end up going to.

[kp4sho]

the above is sort of wrong. Class sizes depend on what kind of course it is. Some major classes will usually always be large like poli sci, sociology. For the most part, sciences and math are usually smaller in size. For english, i'm not sure, I'll have to ask my friend who is an english major.

UCLA is harder than USC. I don't know where you heard that usc students study all the time but i think ucla students study more.
It also depends on what kind of atmosphere you want to be around. At UCLA, you will be around 50%ish asians while at USC there will be a white majority.

UCLA!!! USC sucks (school pride plug)

[ms. rachellica]

yeah pick the one which is more stronger in the english major. also u seem to be bummed out that there's no dance at usc with ur frownie face next to it lol. why not ucla?

[hammer12]

Do you want to get shot or walk safe at night and get your diploma? It's that easy =)

[clairdeluned]

Don't listen to those people harping on prestige...we all know that there's no point going to a prestigious undergrad if there's a chance you might ruin your grades. (And let's face it..the competition at top UC's like UCLA can be fierce.) Do not EVER pick a school based on prestige. If someone tells you to pick a school on prestige, let them do their own thing and ruin their own life, don't let them ruin yours as well.

If you want personal attention at all from professors and you plan on going to grad school, USC is without a doubt the better choice. If you go to UCLA and want to get your professor to write you a rec letter...good luck. Because chances are that s/he isn't going to know who the heck you are. Really, you're just a face in the crowd at UCLA. Especially if you're an Asian girl since there are so many freaking Asian girls at UCLA. Not saying that I have a thing against Asian girls (I am one, for goodness sakes). It's just that I don't just want to be "another Asian" out of the 10,000 others going there. Actually, it's probably more than 10,000

[hammer12]

I heard usc can be crowded also....especially in the lower divsion courses.
But yeah, if you want a easy way out then usc is the place. If you want an envrionment thats challenging and competitive, then go for ucla. But this is only regarding the science majors. If you're a english major in ucla, it's gonna be laid back just like other schools. Anywhere you go, social science professors go easy on undergrads.

[lefeudissey_;]

I suggest you try to go see,maybe, the couselors of the department of each schools. Ask them what they have to offer you. Don't tell them you're considering UCLA too.. because obviously UCLA and USC are rival schools.

UCLA classes aren't always big. I've been into 2. And I think it just depends on the course. The math class I went to was big but there wasn't that many people. The English class I went to had only like 10 people. ;P I've been in the dorms too. Triple doesn't mean that it's gonna get crowded and annoying. I've slept over a couple of times.. and everyone's so friendly. People just leave notes on ur doors and ask if you wanna come join them and whatnot.

I don't think USC students study that much. Most of my USC friends never complain about studying. UCLA is a more rigorous school and so it depends on your personal choice. It's true that USC has the Trojan network. You can get jobs more easily after you graduate.. but I didn't think that was going to prevent me from going to UCLA.

Personally, I'm transfering to UCLA this fall. I've been in the campus so many times that I know what's where. ;9 I've been to USC once and I didn't really like the area. It's true that USC has a lot of places to go to : Ktown, Shrine Auditorium, museums.. but I dunno I like the UCLA atmosphere better. It's somehow warm and friendly. Haha.. I'd rather be stuck around on the streets of Westwood that outside USC.

I had to wait for a friend to pick me up at USC. I waited for 30 mins.. and I was freaking out. ><"


But yea.. Good luck on choosing! ^__^