Looking at the employment reports for both schools and having visited both as well, UCLA seems to be the best choice. USC places 70% in the LA area and it looks like most grads don't bother leaving the area. UCLA has a better brand, wider selection of courses, nicer campus, and better placement stats.

I am not a current student at either program, but visited and spoke with students at length at both schools and spent about 6 hours on campus for each visit. UCLA has a better brand, but USC is probably stronger in Asian business.

For what it's worth USC just put together a new curriculum style in 2010 that jams much more core material into a mini semester and the school year starts sooner so you may be better prepared for recruiting. You also have increased options for waiving out of courses and taking electives with this new format. Students reported feeling overwhelmed by this, but the first year is always overwhelming regardless of where you go.

My impression was the UCLA was much more collegiate in atmosphere. I was surprised by the quality of interaction within the class i viewed at UCLA whereas USC felt like an undergrad class with side conversations and generally unimpressive contributions from the students. This could be due to the content of the course.

I can't speak to competition, but USC is probably less so because of the size of the class and people tend to make their own way career wise from what I was told. Living is more spread out at USC and the area immediately by USC is what some would call a downside. The quality of the common area where MBAs hang out is nicer at UCLA and there are more students gathering at UCLA probably for this reason.

The students at USC seemed more inclined to "keep it real" and told me everything I wanted to know even if it was not positive. Perhaps you should contact some members of a club that caters to your future career goals at both schools and just ask them what their off time is like.

Becky