My friend just got accepted into UC Berkeley as well! And he’s currently deciding between either Cal or USC.
I was wondering if any of you guys on here can give your own honest opinion and insight on both colleges. He’s really conflicted and doesn’t know which one to choose. USC = closer to home, better financial aid Cal = good reputation as well, friends, and gf are there
And then there’s me… hoping I can get USC this Fall :[
I would choose USC over Cal. There’s a better quality of life at USC, and smaller classes so you get closer to professors which will ultimately be your resources, not to mention the Trojan network within its self. The Trojan Network is glorious and there’s a higher chance of you getting a job straight out of college with a degree from USC than Cal
Hi everyone! I’m new to this thread but I was wondering if someone could help me out:
I am applying to Marshall as a sophomore transfer. I am a Los Angeles native currently attending a T10 school, but I’ve realized that I’m a lot happier at home than I will ever be at my current institution. Both of my parents went to USC and I have a 3.9 right now. I have no access to OASIS, no SGR, no news on my portal at all. I have completed both the Writing and Math prerequisites (Writing at my current university, Math through AP Calc), and I have completed all but 3 of the GE requirements. I will have at least 30 units by the end of this semester.
What do you guys think? I’m getting a little bit worried as I haven’t heard anything yet!
Guys don’t be worried, decisions will continue to come out for another 2-3 months… You aren’t late on anything…
@badmintongirl Your friend would be silly not to go to Berkeley. As soon as you leave California, you will see that a degree from Berkeley carries more weight than a degree from USC or CAL.
@rentonpop CAL is Berkeley lol. Both business schools at Berkeley and USC are top notch. You honestly could not go wrong with either choice. It comes down to preference of location and other smaller factors. Good decisions to have, that’s for sure. I just got accepted to Berkeley, but anticipating this USC acceptance very much still. I would chose USC over cal.
Are you serious recommending USC over CAL? LOL! Let’s be honest USC is great and all, but it’s not CAL status, let’s not get ahead of ourselves now. Also if you live in California you’d save yourself A CRAP LOAD of money going with CAL instead.
@USCHopeful5
I’m in a similar situation as you—double legacy, 3.6 (some health issues that have affected my grades), junior, extraordinary talent in a niche area, interesting background story. I have yet to see any updates or hear back either. It’s stressful.
@topchoiceschool Thought the abbreviation was Caltech. Either way, @silvermansachs is correct. When you walk into a room and say have a degree from Berkeley, people shut up and listen to you.
True, Cal is a great school. But yeah honestly cannot go wrong with either. I have heard it’s harder getting a job straight from Cal, than it is from USC, but who knows everyone is different
And if your friend or whoever is a business major, it is super hard getting into Berkeley’s business school. Even if he is an undergraduate with a pre-business major. Also there is a lot of deflation at Cal which could act as a barrier from him or her getting into the business school for grad. I believe Cal’s business school is strictly for graduate students?
I’m a sophomore applying to Marshall and I got my SGR two days ago so I think they should be rolling out now. Good luck to everyone who is still waiting.
Would never choose CAL over USC. Had two get into Cal, neither went. Too much struggle, who needs it? And the campus has a feel they didn’t like. Public school versus private, Cal has huge budget issues now and it is only going to get worse there, run down campus, fighting for classes, fighting to get in your major…horrible weather compared to rest of bay area. Ranking doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t have connections coming out of the school, I know plenty of unemployed Cal grads because they don’t have an alumni network, none of the UCs do. It is a me me me environment, they do not help each other out. Demographics of Cal are pretty specific - you either love it or hate it. Can’t image it being a debate - I would think you really like one or the other. But if they girlfriend is there, I bet I know what will win out. But no way would I turn down a great private education for a public one in California these days.
^ retweet
Thanks for all the input guys! Ultimately I think he’s going with Cal. He’s a transfer so he’s already been accepted into the Haas School of Business. Both business schools are amazing but I think the fact that his girlfriend is up here in Norcal, is the cherry on top to this decision haha.
Hey guys, I was wondering as a junior transfer what do you think my chances are? I don’t want to get my hopes up yet. I have a 3.75 (only 3 Bs in 2 years) extracurriculars from high school and no letter of recommendation. I think my essays were pretty good and I’m applying to Dornsife as an Econ major. I’m really scared about the decision 
The beauty of USC is there alumni network, unlike any other school in California. People seem to forget, it takes more than the degree to get the job. You have to put your name out there and network. Like person above said, the atmosphere at Berkeley is so cut-throat, people are all about me me me. I know MANY grads from Berkeley that are working jobs similar to people coming out of state schools and making relatively the same income, in which case the name of the school meant nothing.
TROJAN FOR LIFE #FightOn
Got accepted into Viterbi!!! 
USC is #1 !!