View Full Version : UCLA or USC?
cycling team/cycle-friendly area. I'm in a tug-of-war between the two on where to attend next year.
Although the team won't have be significant factor in my decision, I was wondering how the two teams rank among other universities. UC Davis, I know, is the reigning collegiate champs, but I don't want to go to that shool...
ronjon10
05-13-07, 09:56 PM
UCLA is closer to the Santa Monicas, and you don't have to bike through the 'hood to get there.
UmneyDurak
05-13-07, 10:02 PM
cycling team/cycle-friendly area. I'm in a tug-of-war between the two on where to attend next year.
Although the team won't have be significant factor in my decision, I was wondering how the two teams rank among other universities. UC Davis, I know, is the reigning collegiate champs, but I don't want to go to that shool...
Umm Davis came in second: https://www.usacycling.org/forms/FINAL%20DI%20Team%20Omnium.pdf
Do you prefer a blue or maroon kit?
Only poseurs go to SoCal schools. UC Davis is where it's at. Just stay clear of Tercero and the Fistulated Cows (http://media.www.californiaaggie.com/media/storage/paper981/news/2007/03/14/ScienceTech/Uc.Davis.Fistulated.Cow.A.Window.To.Bovine.Digestion-2775282.shtml)...
Go_Fast
05-13-07, 10:50 PM
bears don't ride bikes very well.
spingineer
05-13-07, 11:35 PM
Cal Poly Pomona has plenty of hills close by. Plus, it's got one on campus ... Kellogg Hill.
Only real time I can mention my Alma Mater.
rooftest
05-14-07, 12:06 AM
Are you kidding? USC's the clear choice there.
roadfix
05-14-07, 12:08 AM
I can hum the fight songs of both schools while riding my bike.
cjbruin
05-14-07, 12:11 AM
Are you kidding? USC's the clear choice there.
I agree...if you're a ******bag.
cjbruin
05-14-07, 12:32 AM
Assuming you're NOT a ******bag, I honestly would choose UCLA...and not just because I'm an alumnus. If cycling is really your thing, you don't want to be doing it down Figueroa & MLK. Lots of good riding near Westwood.
AND...of course, you can't spell SUCKS without USC.
By the way, did you hear that the Trojan football team couldn't get back in their dorm after the UCLA game? Someone painted an end zone in front of it.
Did you hear they just closed down the USC Campus Library? Someone stole the book...and there were still some pages that needed coloring!
Luwin1026
05-14-07, 01:09 AM
I agree...if you're a ******bag.
LOL!!
Must be very cycling-obsessed/passionate to choose a school based on that and location - but if that's your prerogative, the UCLA would be the way to go. Close to the coast/Palisades/Malibu/Santa Monica/etc., etc. - the neighborhoods are a whole lot better, and that's the objective, unbiased-even-though-I'm-an-alumnus talking. Seriously, visit both campuses to get a feel for it yourself - then decide. Heck, take your bike and go for a "test" ride if you want. ;)
Crank It Up
05-14-07, 01:20 AM
UCLA= World class university and affordable state school. Lots of steep hills and mtns. around campus for training (if you can handle the traffic).
USC= Not a bad private institution but costs $$$$$. Need to drive elsewhere to train.
UC Davis= Nice state school with excellent ag. programs and surrounding rural areas for training. http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=8146
Don't know too much about current rankings......cycling is still a club/intramural sport at most colleges.
UmneyDurak
05-14-07, 07:55 AM
bears don't ride bikes very well.
Golden Bears are good at it thought. ;)
Go_Fast
05-14-07, 08:08 AM
Golden Bears are good at it thought. ;)
ah....yes...and trojans have all that armor and that stupid brush on top of their helmet.
Garfield Cat
05-14-07, 09:14 AM
Undergrad acceptance at UCLA is more difficult than USC. UCLA received more applications for undergrad admissions than any other school in the U.S. I think it was over 50,000 applications.
I think it depends on what you are going to major in. USC has an undergrad business school. UCLA has only business economics and that is by a selection process.
Recently the top tier students are finding USC will offer a good financial package that would make the decision between the Univ of Calif schools and USC very close.
bigdraft
05-14-07, 09:15 AM
I agree...if you're a ******bag.
LOL my maid went to UCLA *******
Mo'Phat
05-14-07, 09:15 AM
FWIW: My grades got me into USC...but not UCLA - that right there shows me what the better school is for education.
It's a coin flip as to which has the better looking 'scenery'.
And yes...cycling through Watts doesn't sound too appealing.
*edit* didn't go to USC...too much coin.
rooftest
05-14-07, 11:30 AM
Watts is about 5-10 miles south of USC. The SC campus is just south of downtown. I had a roommate who was in the cycling club at SC - they did rides up to griffith park, around silverlake, out to Marina Del Rey, etc.
MLK just south of the stadium really isn't bad - about a mile up you can hang a left and take that shortcut all the way through to MDR.
Don't listen to the 'haters on the internet - vist them yourself and see what you think.
cjbruin
05-14-07, 12:28 PM
LOL my maid went to UCLA *******
So you'll be HER maid soon. :)
curiouskid55
05-14-07, 01:26 PM
Just curious about who's pony-ing up wit the tuition.
VanceMac
05-14-07, 01:32 PM
Just curious about who's pony-ing up wit the tuition.
And do you know what your major is going to be?
socalrider
05-14-07, 01:38 PM
Cal Poly Pomona has plenty of hills close by. Plus, it's got one on campus ... Kellogg Hill.
Only real time I can mention my Alma Mater.
I am also partial to Cal Poly Pomona.. For cycling I would choose UCLA.. They have a little better areas to ride and there cycling team is pretty solid if you want to race.. When I raced collegiate some of my best friends and road trips were with the UCLA team so I may be a little biased.. They have some good hills to ride in the Santa Monica mountains..
http://www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/cycling/
And do you know what your major is going to be?
guessing physics/engineering related from his name
yeah engineering...civil engineering to be specific. I have visited both campuses and both have comparable engineering programs. Everything is about even right now when it comes to my decision, and I need to make a choice soon.
I got into both and the price alone was enough to convince me to attend UCLA. One of the best decisions I ever made. You will probably do equally as well graduating from either, but those student loans can really cramp your style for many years to come. Good luck with your decision. Bone
esammuli
05-14-07, 08:46 PM
If you plan on racing, UCLA has more to offer. This season we typically fielded 10-15 riders for every collegiate race weekend while it was rare for USC to send more than 2-3 riders to any race. While we didn't qualify for nationals as a team, four of our top racers qualified and three went to Kansas (USC had none). There is always somebody to ride with either down the coast towards Marina Del Rey or north into Malibu. Here is what I'm planing for tomorrow morning: Topanga-Fernwood (http://www.routeslip.com/routes/20255)
Or you can cross over Sunset Blvd. and be climbing in Bel Air or Brentwood 5 minutes after leaving your dorm.
We also have great sponsorship deals from Easton, Saris, Neuvation, Rudy Project, and more.
esammuli
05-14-07, 08:50 PM
And congratulations to Stanford and Davis: 1st and 2nd at nationals (http://www.velonews.com/race/dom/articles/12250.0.html)! Way to represent the WCCC!
Thanks for all the info. I also applied to Stanford! Those decisions come out tomorrow at 3pm, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed :)
Undergrad education, I'd go to UCLA. Great school, cheap tuition. My sister is a proud UCLA alum. Graduate education, depends on the program. (As of a few days ago, the same sister is now a proud USC alum, too, thanks to their M.P.H. program.) No clue about their cycling teams since I didn't cycle in college.
dauphin
05-15-07, 01:15 AM
I attended keg parties at the University of Georgia....woof
Allez Oops
05-15-07, 03:34 AM
Sounds like you've been admitted to two solid schools. Kudos. Rock it.
My input:
I went to UCLA, undergrad, and grad. Came out with a butt-load of student-loan debt.
As opposed to:
My kid brother, who went to USC, and, exited with much less debt.
Tuition there is more costly, sure; but if they truly want you, they will pay your way. They have the means.
Biking? Don't sweat it. You'll make it work, wherever you land.
One way to think about it: the less student-loan debt you have at the end of your schooling, the more time you can allocate to ride your bike.
If I had it all to do over again: I'd've knocked off the general-ed classes at a community college, and then finished up at USC, taking advantage of their more ample economic resources (vs. UCLA).
Crank It Up
07-31-07, 01:56 AM
My input:
I went to UCLA, undergrad, and grad. Came out with a butt-load of student-loan debt.
As opposed to:
My kid brother, who went to USC, and, exited with much less debt.
If I had it all to do over again: I'd've knocked off the general-ed classes at a community college, and then finished up at USC, taking advantage of their more ample economic resources (vs. UCLA).
When I went to UCLA in the late '80's for undergrad, it was practically free. Well, I did have fellowships, scholarships, and grants to cover the books and living expenses. :) Registration fee was around $500 a qtr. Many of my friends who graduated from SC with undergrad and grad degrees had 6 figure student loan debts. :eek:
At most of the more popular UC's, the undergrad program is hell and I see a lot go to/end up at the local CC's to get their grades up or make up classes. Not easy going the 1st 2 years, so prepare for it.
Pepperdine (Mailibu) and UC Irvine are often overlooked as well as Loyola-Marymount (Marina Del Rey/ Westchester).
If you can get past the UCLA/USC rivalry, many get their masters at USC because there are just more contacts that can be made that can be helpful in future employment depending on your major/chosen field. It's more true than not that some degrees are worth more than a degree earned at another university. But that's a personal decision and monetary considerations/limitations may determine what university you go to to get the most for your or your parents money.
urbanknight
07-31-07, 08:45 AM
Do you prefer a blue or maroon kit?
+1 Best reason ever!!!
One other thing: if you plan to stay in So Cal, and want to live in any of the beach cities south of Marina Del Rey, you'll have to go to USC. And look like a beach volleyball player.
Sorry. It's the law.
tinrobot
07-31-07, 12:46 PM
Come study at Otis. I'll teach you how to animate. But we don't have a bike team.
OK, go to UCLA. Cheaper tuition, better bike environment.
Blastinbob
07-31-07, 04:55 PM
Go to Pepperdine.
UmneyDurak
07-31-07, 05:21 PM
Ah hell just go to CAL and get it over with. :D
University of Spoiled Children
I went to USC and some areas(most) of the neighborhood aren't ones I would recommend walking alone, let alone riding a semi-nice "looking" bike. UCLA has a nicer area, nicer night life. But don't pick schools just based on cycling clubs. Consider; (A) budget, and loan/financial aid offered. (B) Programs available for your major.
SweetLou
07-31-07, 09:31 PM
Well, F = MA, I assume you meant your name to mean "force equals mass times acceleration". Well, it doesn't. What you should have put down is F = ma. Yes, capitalization does matter. Hopefully whatever school you choose, you will be more careful with your notation or do not take a science as a major.
Well, F = MA, I assume you meant your name to mean "force equals mass times acceleration". Well, it doesn't. What you should have put down is F = ma. Yes, capitalization does matter. Hopefully whatever school you choose, you will be more careful with your notation or do not take a science as a major.
haha you are right! :) In fact, I should be more ashamed just because I'm a civil engineering major
Anyway... this is a really old thread. I have already made my choice to go to UCLA. And of course I wouldn't be so stupid as to make my choice of education based on cycling.
Mo'Phat
08-01-07, 07:17 AM
And of course I wouldn't be so stupid as to make my choice of education based on cycling.
I chose my university based on something stupider.
Congrats on UCLA!
Garfield Cat
08-01-07, 07:49 AM
If you plan on using a bike on the Westwood campus, get a beater bike. In Westwood Village there's Helen Cycles. I think they are in some way a sponsor to the UCLA cycling club. Try their olympic size pool for students up at Sunset Recrecation center. There's a Jamba Juice in Ackerman Union. But if you want to make your own, try Whole Foods in the Village for their Acai or any of the Sambazon products.
There's all kinds of things going on at UCLA. Once my daughter met John Nash and his wife during a math conference. Nash did work on game theory and was the subject in the movie: A Beautiful Mind.
furiousferret
08-01-07, 09:30 PM
I'd go to UCLA, the UC system has the 4 of the top 12 (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14321230/) schools worldwide, and the degree will get you places even in other countries.
Growing up in NorCal, I've always been partial to Cal Berkeley, but UCLA is not too far behind.
USC is a great school as well with a good reputation that would not hurt either.
My advice is go to UCLA, but most of all, get a degree with economic value in the workforce.
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