Which is better? UC Berkeley or USC?

[harriet0216]

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.

[Eclectic4]

UC Berkeley is hands down ranked a better school overall.

Further, UC Berkeley is probably ranked the best public university in the U.S. Some publications rank it the best public school in the world.

However, if you are set on getting a masters, then that is a different issue.

[bdexicon]

I agree with Eclectic4 when he says that UC Berkeley is probably the best public university in the US. I do think that you should take a hard look at each individual program though, as USC has some VERY strong arts programs and my impression of UC Berkeley is as a science school. The campuses are both gorgeous.

Another factor is cost -- USC is very expensive without a fellowship, are you funded?

[harriet0216]

UC Berkeley is hands down ranked a better school overall.

Further, UC Berkeley is probably ranked the best public university in the U.S. Some publications rank it the best public school in the world.

However, if you are set on getting a masters, then that is a different issue.

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!

[harriet0216]

I agree with Eclectic4 when he says that UC Berkeley is probably the best public university in the US. I do think that you should take a hard look at each individual program though, as USC has some VERY strong arts programs and my impression of UC Berkeley is as a science school. The campuses are both gorgeous.

Another factor is cost -- USC is very expensive without a fellowship, are you funded?

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!

[Ville]

I think USC Annenberg has a better ranked journalism program. See http://annenberg.usc.edu/News%20and%20Events/News/111216NewsProRankings.aspx though UC Berkeley is not far behind. Keep in mind that USC Annenberg is overall a stronger communication school (it's arguably considered the best communication school in the west coast of the US). USC Annenberg also has hundreds of millions of dollars of endowment, more resources, more faculty with a variety of expertise, research opportunities, & networks to the large alumni and industry. Having said that, UC Berkeley is more well known internationally.

[harriet0216]

I think USC Annenberg has a better ranked journalism program. See http://annenberg.usc.edu/News%20and%20Events/News/111216NewsProRankings.aspx though UC Berkeley is not far behind. Keep in mind that USC Annenberg is overall a stronger communication school (it's arguably considered the best communication school in the west coast of the US). USC Annenberg also has hundreds of millions of dollars of endowment, more resources, more faculty with a variety of expertise, research opportunities, & networks to the large alumni and industry. Having said that, UC Berkeley is more well known internationally.

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.

[Ville]

Both are equally great schools for journalism, so you cannot go wrong either way. However, you will likely be paying close to $50,000 for tuition & living expenses per academic year at USC. I think as a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley, you'll be paying a lot less fees, so you should be able to get by with the current financial support from your sponsor. Have you talked to the current visiting scholars at UC Berkeley? It may be a good idea to contact them about their experiences. I have heard horror stories from a visiting scholar in communication in an Ivy League school in the east coast about how they were disregarded by the faculty and left to do things on their own. So, double check to make sure you will receive the kind of training and support that suit your education goals in the US.

[harriet0216]

Both are equally great schools for journalism, so you cannot go wrong either way. However, you will likely be paying close to $50,000 for tuition & living expenses per academic year at USC. I think as a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley, you'll be paying a lot less fees, so you should be able to get by with the current financial support from your sponsor. Have you talked to the current visiting scholars at UC Berkeley? It may be a good idea to contact them about their experiences. I have heard horror stories from a visiting scholar in communication in an Ivy League school in the east coast about how they were disregarded by the faculty and left to do things on their own. So, double check to make sure you will receive the kind of training and support that suit your education goals in the US.

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!