harriet0216

Great advice. Thanks, Ville! Thanks for telling me the story of your acquaintance. ( Just out of curiosity... Is it Columbia that he/she attended?) Ya, I've been in touch with current visiting scholars at UC Berkeley, and I've just learned from one scholar that there are some very popular courses that are opened only to enrolled students, because the faculty wants to limit the numbers of participants... It is absolutely very disappointing if I'll be rejected to take the courses I wish to take. If that happens, I will regret my choice... As a matter of fact, I do not need to pay that much if I go to UC Berkeley as a visiting scholar. But this may mean that I will not be regarded as important as properly enrolled student. I do understand that I'll have to pay probably more than $50,000 per academic year at USC. Still, it's worth, I believe. The deadline to make my final decision is reaching soon... April 30. As you can see, I am more leaning towards USC Annenberg. Thanks and best regards!

Thanks for your post, Ville! It's great to know that USC Annenberg is regarded as such a strong communication school in the west coast. And its rich resources are certainly attractive. Regarding the reputation, UC Berkeley is for sure more famous in the world. Even here in Japan, people know Berkeley. After graduation, I'll look for a job in the journalism/media industry both in Japan and the U.S., so I am wondering which school will help me more. Many thanks.

Hi, thanks for your comment, bdexicon!! You are attending to Computational Biology and Bioinformatics at USC, right? That's great. Yes USC has offered me a scholarship, I am happy about this, but the amount is only $4,500. Besides, I am funded by a private foundation with the amount of $26,000. But not enough to cover the whole tuition and living expenses, so I am still looking for other scholarship opportunities.( I really wonder why private schools in US cost so much... unbelievable!) Many thanks!

Thank you for your reply, Ecletic 4! I know that ranking isn't the only one deciding factor, but, still, Berkeley's reputation is attractive. I am a mid-career journalist and will have to find another job after finishing the program, and I think having a master's degree won't be a big issue in job hunting. What matters is my experience, and my skills/abilities. USC is a great school, but I am afraid that people may not have heard the name... Many thanks!

Hi all, I have difficulties in choosing a school. I need your help. I have been admitted by University of California - Berkeley, and University of Southern California. I am going to major in Journalism at Graduate School. After admitted to both schools, I have looked at both programs, compared pros/cons, and after all, I think they have a lot of similarities. The biggest difference though is, at UC Berkeley, I will be conducting a research by myself as a visiting scholar, and will not get a degree. On the other hand, at USC, I will join to the program as a student and going to get a Master's degree. I live and have been raised outside of the US, so I want to know reputation of each school within the US. Please tell me anything you know about the schools. Any tips are welcome. Thank you.

I am wondering which graduate program is better; J-School of UC Berkeley, or Annenberg School at University of Southern California? Many people may prefer Berkeley regarding its reputation, but, I am admitted as a visiting scholar, not as a student to get a degree. At USC, I can get a degree. Getting a degree is not my only goal, but I am a bit worried about my future career. After finishing the program, when hunting a job in american media organizations, does a degree matter? Or, will they focus on contents of my background? Thank you in advance!