<p>I once taught a the Summer Business Institute at USC and I’ve worked with many USC grads over the years. I am also familiar with the UC system and their approach to teaching methodology. So, here is my opinion as unbiased as I can present it.</p>
<p>USC – Is a local So Cal school that has graduated to the big time national stage. It has a powerful alumni network and I’ve rarely met more loyal graduates anywhere. USC grads tend to wear that pedigree proudly and they really do use the alumni network for jobs, business contacts and investors, etc. When I was working in consulting/tax at Arthur Andersen and Deloitte & Touche years ago in Los Angeles, I was amazed at how many staff and partners were USC grads. Since I came from out of state it was a new thing for me. Those USC grads really did stick together and promote from within. Politically, almost every USC grad that I’ve met in business leaned Republican or were conservative in their outlook. So, if you are very liberal in your orientation you may be the odd man out. One thing that I’ve always respected about USC is that they take international business very seriously and this is evidenced by the IBEAR program that has been around for years. They were one of the first business school to take international business seriously. Location wise? It sucks. The worst part of the hood in LA is literally a stone’s throw away. North is fine as it tracks you right into downtown, the Staples Center and LA Live. A few blocks south and you need to wear body armor. No joke, an entire group of my students were mugged by a gang of other kids one block off campus at a McDonald’s. Having said that, Berkeley is in the middle of one of the worst neighborhoods in Nor Cal and the USC campus is very safe and constantly patrolled by police and security. On campus, there are no worries. Additionally, I have been told by some grads that the school practices grade deflation. So, many kids do far worse at USC than they did in high school. 4.00 GPA high school grads often get a 2.5 GPA at Marshall. By the way, I have absolutely no source for this other than anecdotal comments from grads that I know. Personally, I feel that USC is great for general business, accounting, international business and other areas.</p>
<p>Berkeley – It is the premier UC campus and has a great reputation. Global recognition as well. However, I tend to see more emphasis in the UC system (possibly Berkeley is an exception) on graduate studies, PhD programs and research. How this shows up at Haas I do not know and will require you to look into it. Politically, just by osmosis the school will be far more liberal than USC. The neighborhood is rough, but like USC the campus is safe. Culturally, it is San Francisco and nothing more needs to be said. The two schools will be very, very different in every way. Climate, culture, politics, teaching methodology, emphasis on undergrads, etc. I feel that Berkeley is stronger in technology, entrepreneurship and other areas.</p>
<p>Have you thought of applying to Stanford? That is a school that may eclipse both and has a lot of clout on Wall Street as well. Also, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has one of the best hands on business programs in CA. I know for a fact that all the major accounting and many of the big financial firms recruit there. In addition, the school tends to get students graduated having already prepared for or having sat for the CFA and CPA exams. Lot’s of start ups have come out of the school.</p>