USC vs UCLA undergrad
I recently got off the waitlist for UCLA as an international student. Both schools are extremely comparable, but I am thinking of going into finance/IB. For reference, I will study finance at USC Marshall and Biz econ at UCLA.
UCLA pros:
- Great campus, nice location, food, social life, etc.
- Heard that competition for finance/ib is relatively lower, so it should be slightly easier to get into clubs
- Biz econ is highly quantitative
- UCLA's name recognition is slightly better than USC's (at least in my home country)
- Relatively cheaper
- Will be starting this year August (I'm starting next year spring for USC)
USC pros:
- Marshall business school, specific business + finance degree (ranked higher for undergrad)
- Alumni network + some banks in LA and beyond recruit heavily from USC
- Nice social life, more central
- Clubs specific to IB/finance
- Private school - closer connections to professors, students; slightly easier to get classes
- Easy to switch majors, get minors, etc.
I will be paying full price for both, but my parents are willing to help out significantly, so the cost shouldn't be too big of an issue. However, I would feel less guilty at UCLA, as it is cheaper. Also, both degrees grant eligibility for STEM OPT, allowing me to extend my stay in the US. Any opinions?
I went to both USC/UCLA and didn't break into finance in the US (but elsewhere). Eventually returned to the US through another job.
Your list of pros/cons are correct from my point of view.
Just one thing that was a bit unexpected: I tried living in LA without a car and it didn't work out. Had to get a car, insurance, maintain it DIY style, etc.. was fun, of course. But a significant cost factor if you are a student (parking permits, gas, ..)
Was in the same position and very glad I went to USC alumni connections are real and you will love it. Great placements and better name brand in LA (ucla heads won’t like this comment lol)
Were you able to land an internship fairly easily? How does it fair with west coast banks?
Go to USC so you can network with Bronny to get rich.
For context, I did both investment banking and private equity in LA, so I've seen a lot of applicants from both USC and UCLA and also have seen how active both networks are in the IB / PE market in general. The TLDR is that UCLA tends to place much better into IB and as a result, PE, in both LA, SF and NYC. While USC has a business school, their finance extracurriculars (Trojan Investing Society & Marshall Finance Association) aren't as strong or tied into the finance community as those of UCLA (Bruin Asset Management, Undergraduate Business Society, Value Investing Concentration). While I do agree that in general the USC alumni network is pretty strong, I think UCLA's alumni network is very strong within the finance niche.
USC if you want to enjoy yourself, go trojans
UCLA alum here at an LA EB. Generally, I think the difference in recruiting at usc vs ucla is pretty marginal.
I think you should make this decision moreso on which school you like better holistically. Cultures deff vary a bit
Edit: also see you're a spring admit at USC… I personally would view that as a major consideration. A lot of core friendships and experiences are built in your first quarter / semester at college, and missing out on that is not great.
Iusto non assumenda labore omnis eius. Adipisci accusantium dolor est est a. Tempora accusantium ratione aut facere expedita. Impedit magni vel velit.
Illo quam ad est. Sint iusto omnis ratione quasi accusamus voluptatem et.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...