Help me better understand Southern Cal universities & colleges
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Anonymous
All this information is detailed on their websites. You just have to scroll around in the "admitted students" category and on departmental pages. Sometimes you go in circles and it is frustrating, but other times you find these details. There are people gaming the system but a lot of people don't have a clue. But you have to know, you cannot go in officially to study Biology (an easier admit) and then change to Psych which is a much harder admit. It is far too over subscribed to allow that. |
Anonymous
This comment is misleading. UCLA does not admit by major, they admit by school. You get admitted into the College of Letters & Sciences as an undergrad (which includes History, Economics, Biology, Psychology) and then you can apply for your major after you're accepted. Getting into the Theater/Film and Engineering schools are more competitive that College of Letters & Science, but mentioning you want to study history vs. psychology won't give you a higher acceptance rate - they are both the same school, Letters & Science with the same accept rate. You can mention what you want to study on your application, but they know you can change your mind so they say it doesn't impact admission. My daughter applied to Letters & Science, said she wanted to study psychology (which is extremely popular for women candidates) and she got in! I don't think you can game it since you aren't admitted by major, or held to it, so she was honest and it had no negative impact. |
Anonymous
Have you looked at the kids who attend UC Merced? The most socioeconomic diverse UC, praised for social mobility, they aren’t predominately from MAGA families, and it is also dubious to assume that a Fresno middle class family that sends their kids to UC Merced is MAGA. Fresno isn’t gated where only MAGA people are allowed in and out. |
Anonymous
This must vary by school/major within UCLA. Because for film, one applies for the major directly at the time of applying. You don’t just get accepted to TFT (school of theater film and television) and then get to choose between majoring in theater or film. |
Anonymous
Anonymous
So basically students are bound to major in whatever they apply as? That is so limiting. I am especially surprised you can switch to be a psych major. |
Anonymous
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I was interested in this thread, but didn’t have time to read it all. Here’s an AI summary if anybody else is interested:
The forum thread discusses Southern California colleges for a student interested in political science, business/economics, and possibly entertainment-related fields, with a strong academic profile (IB diploma, 4.0+ GPA, good test scores). Here’s a summary of key points and additional insights: Schools Discussed: 1 USC (University of Southern California): ◦ Highly selective, top-tier film school, strong in business and political science. ◦ Neighborhood concerns overstated; not as unsafe as perceived. ◦ Test-score focused; National Merit Finalist status is a plus. Favors full-pay students. 2 UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles): ◦ Very selective, especially for out-of-state (OOS) students; test-blind admissions. ◦ Prestigious public university with excellent programs across disciplines, but less value for OOS undergrads compared to USC. ◦ Large campus in a desirable location (closer to Santa Monica than LMU). 3 Loyola Marymount University (LMU): ◦ Mid-size (~7,000 students), Catholic but not overly religious, located in Marina Del Rey (not as close to Santa Monica as suggested). ◦ Strong in business and entertainment; good for students who don’t get into USC/UCLA. ◦ Tech job opportunities nearby in Silicon Beach; has an honors college. 4 Chapman University: ◦ Located in Orange County, less vibrant area compared to LA. ◦ Known for film, business, and psychology; easier to get into than USC/UCLA. 5 Occidental College: ◦ Small liberal arts college, traditional campus (filming location for Clueless). ◦ Perceived as “woke” by some, with small classes and engaged faculty. 6 Claremont Colleges: ◦ Consortium of five colleges (Claremont McKenna, Pomona, Scripps, Pitzer, Harvey Mudd). ◦ Claremont McKenna is highly selective and a strong fit for political science/business. ◦ Pitzer is a slightly easier admit but does not have robust film programs, contrary to some claims. ◦ Prestigious but competitive. 7 Whittier College: ◦ Associated with Richard Nixon; less discussed, implying lower prestige or relevance for the student’s interests. 8 Pepperdine University: ◦ Located in Malibu, known for wealthy students and Hollywood connections. ◦ Good backup for USC; offers scholarships (e.g., a student with a 1580 SAT attended with aid). 9 Other Suggestions: ◦ University of San Diego (USD): Not in LA but recommended for its quality. ◦ Other UCs: UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside (less selective options). ◦ Cal State Schools: Not detailed but mentioned as alternatives. ◦ Caltech: Mentioned but not discussed, likely too STEM-focused for the student’s interests. Key Insights: • Selectivity: USC and UCLA are the most competitive, especially for OOS students. LMU and Chapman are less selective but still strong in entertainment/business. • Location: USC, UCLA, and LMU offer the most “LA” experience. Chapman (Orange County) and Pepperdine (Malibu) are less urban. • Entertainment Focus: USC is the top choice for film/entertainment, followed by LMU and Chapman. Pitzer is not recommended for film. • Fit for Student: With a strong academic profile, the student is competitive for most listed schools, but USC/UCLA may still be reaches. Claremont McKenna aligns well with political science/business interests. • OOS Considerations: UCLA is less appealing for OOS due to cost and admissions unpredictability; USC is preferred for OOS undergrads. Additional Schools to Consider: • Cal State Northridge (CSUN): Strong in entertainment and business, more accessible. • Cal State Long Beach (CSULB): Good for business and film, less selective than UCs. • Pomona College (Claremont Consortium): Elite liberal arts, strong in political science. Corrections/Clarifications: • LMU is in Marina Del Rey, not near Santa Monica. • Claremont Colleges are a consortium, not just Claremont McKenna; only CMC has “McKenna” in its name. • Occidental’s “woke” reputation is mentioned but not substantiated. This summary captures the thread’s main points, focusing on the student’s interests and academic profile while addressing misconceptions and adding relevant schools. |
Anonymous
There’s a pipeline from 90210. |
Anonymous
I think they were saying NOT to expect to be able to switch to psych. That while it might technically be allowed, it’s unrealistic due to high demand. I think it’s easier to switch to less in-demand majors. |