USC or UC Berkeley?

Question

I was admitted to both USC and UC Berkeley as a freshman and against the advice of all my friends, teachers, college counselors, and even parents, I chose USC because I knew they had smaller class sizes and I heard about the "Trojan Family". I have had an abysmal time at USC both socially (I'm feeling the whole Trojan Family is a load of crap) and academically (I'm finding out classes I thought were hard here are laughed at by the UCs and other highly ranked universities) and now have an opportunity to transfer to UC Berkeley next fall, but some people are now telling me that would be a big mistake. Any reasonable opinion would be helpful. I am studying both chemistry and physics.

Answer 1

Berkeley is very well known for its science departments (populated by numerous Nobel Prize winners) and it has an international reputation. The course work is challenging and rigorous. But as a transfer, you have to make much more effort to establish your social and academic standing. People who have been there since freshmen year have already established their alliances and the transfers don't tend to make friends with each other. Not to say you'll be alienated, people are usually very friendly, but don't expect to slip right into the Cal family. And maybe get rid of all of your red clothes (Stanford's school color is red as well). You may also want to consider visiting the Berkeley campus for a few days and sit in couple of classes if you can. You'll be able to make a more educated decision once you've spent time there.

Answer 2

if you're not happy, transfer. smaller classes can make a difference, and USC is more community oriented than berkeley, but berkeley does have very good chemistry and physics departments.
i wouldn't think that the USC classes are really to be laughed at, and i can't imagine that the classes at berkeley would really be that much more challenging, but it sounds like it might be a good idea to transfer.
best of luck.

Answer 3

Uc berkeley

Answer 4

definately UC Berkeley

Answer 5

It will be in your benifit to transfer into Berkeley next fall