hi. i am a grad student from India, i would like to know the procedure of applying to these universities and how likely are the chances for a foreigner like me to get selected.

I've been accepted to both with scholarships as well and was wondering the same.

Have you visited either school?

I've been accepted to USC M.Arch 1 [2yrs] and SCI - ARC M.Arch 1 [3yrs]. I know SCI-ARC is irrelevant, but like I mentioned in another post, USC is making a huge come back. New dean in the works, the director [Wes Jones] is moving the program in a great direction and pulling in faculty from all over the country. They have a generous amount of space, studio, galleries, library, presentation space. Their facilities are good, and I only say that because they share facilities with the art program that is located next to them. While I was talking to Wes, he mentioned that the new dean will push to have their own resources to strengthen the program's facilities. A word of advice that I got while I visited L.A., it is better to know what you want to get out of grad school, rather than trying to figure it there. That way, you know what you are looking for, and know who can help you push your thesis.     

In terms of M.ARCH 1 program, UCLA is slightly better than USC now. However, USC is moving up and very likely to surpass UCLA in a few years.

Faculty: UCLA has better faculty in theoretical aspect. A lot of professors there are doing interesting and experimental stuff. However, USC's faculty is better in practice. If you check recent years' AIA LA award, you will find that more than half of the names on that list are USC professor's offices.

Students: Neither of them is very selective about students. So you will have both talented and bad classmates. UCLA's students are slightly better now but things will totally change if USC's M.ARCH program gets STEM designation (I heard they are actively working on it. And I also heard it is more difficult for public universities like UCLA to have that), because it is super useful in recruiting talented International students.

Environment: UCLA is at one of the best location of LA. Beach is nearby and the community is safe. However, living expense can be really high. The area of USC is not very good but the university spent a lot of money and effort keeping certain blocks near the campus safe, so you don't need to worry about that. Moreover, DTLA is being revitalized, which will definitely benefit USC.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you prefer theoretical or practical Architecture?

theoretical---go to UCLA   practical---USC

2. Are you an International student?

Yes---USC   no---UCLA

3. Which school offers you more money?

Although money is not your big concern, it should still be taken into consideration in this case since these two schools are almost as good as each other.

What about in status within the architecture world? How would a company in L.A. regard either school? As opposed to one outside of the state?

I'm bit surprised that many on Archi seem to have a preference for UCLA over USC. While both are well regarded programs, I've heard from two former architecture professors who are still quite connected academically say that USC does in fact have the stronger grad program. Furthermore, UCLA briefly lost its accreditation about 10 years ago which may still be a relevant cause for concern. However, from what I've heard, if you lean more toward parametric design and theory, UCLA might be the better fit.

In terms of location, UCLA is hands down in a much more desirable neighborhood and probably has the better campus. The immediate area surrounding USC is rather worn and dull. However, keep in mind that LA is a unique blend of urbanism and suburbia - and is car dependent. You'll probably spend more time driving in your car than walking down Wilshire Blvd. That being said, USC is very close to DTLA, an area thats seen an incredible and exciting surge of development over the last 5-10 years. Given its relative proximity, it may be an interesting time to experience and be part of that growth.

@AJS1512 I agree with you. I think it i an interesting time to experience USC and its surroundings. I want to be part of that growth and I want to help set USC at a very high caliber with the rest of the schools. USC at one time was the main University of SoCal, and it still is to a certain degree, but things are changing. I want to be part of that change, influence it, and with the help of Wes Jones and the new Dean Milton Curry, USC will reach new heights. 

If it helps, I sat through an online open house for UCLA and they have a very theoretical program. Jason Payne even said they are known for educating and helping place future professors. If your interest is theory and urbanism then I would go to UCLA. Personally, I've decided on USC because of all the opportunities in the different areas of architecture like building science, sustainability, and historic preservation. USC also has more money to dedicate to their graduate students as far as plotters, monitors, studio space and so on.

So who will end up at USC this fall?...

I just submitted my promissory note

sooo....what dat mean?

It means im going to usc. I grew up in those suroundings and as long as you don't put yourself in a position to be mugged, you won't get mugged.

Apologies for the typos. It seems I can't edit on here.

In any case, your argument is irrelevant. USC is regarded to have the better graduate architecture program over UCLA. In LA, everyone commutes by car to some degree. Furthermore, both are relatively insular campuses. However, given USC's proximity to downtown, it may be an exciting time to be apart of and contribute to that growth from an architectural and planning standpoint.

@sameolddoctor what is your point? That UCLA is better than USC? Are you worried about "our" safety? Do you think we are dumb enough to be in places we are not supposed to be? I do not get your argument?....