i committed to USC, but i recently got off the UCLA waitlist. for USC, i would be majoring in Health & Human Sciences (which is a combination of everything i like) and hopefully minoring in Film Productions. for UCLA, i would be majoring in Biology. UCLA was my dream school and i definitely learned to love USC after being admitted—but now that i visited campus and explored more, i really really LOVE usc. i’m lucky enough that my family can afford to pay for USC and are supportive of whatever choice i make—but, of course, cost is still a determining factor. i’m not sure if i will go to grad school after
i put stars next to factors that i especially care about. please help me i got until may 12th!
USC
Pros:
- smaller classes, less students ⭐️
- thematic option honors program (which i got into)
- nicer dorms, already have a roommate that i love
- BEST film program
- networking opportunities
- professors actually teach, not ta
- semester system
- huge study abroad program
- interdisciplinary culture ⭐️
Cons:
- more expensive (will be paying ~$18k)
- worse food
- university park (area around campus) is not as nice as westwood, less safe
- culture: wealthy kids, kids who care less about school
UCLA
Pros:
- prestige, more well-known globally
- #1 best college food in america
- westwood is very nice
- know more people going
- better for bio, better pre-med outcomes ⭐️
- more research opportunities
- cheaper (will be paying ~$9k)
Cons:
- more competitive, CROWDED (i hate) —> harder to access resources
- large class sizes, esp in lower division —> harder to stand out
- quarter system
- crowded dorms, dorms are less nice
- have to wait in long lines for everything
- class registration is a nightmare
- less walkable, very hilly
- difficult to access film opportunities unless you’re in their program