[winflop]

I had several friends in high school who chose SC with scholarships over UCLA or Berkeley, and they don't regret it.

I would too, in part because I could graduate in four years.  These days any UC school is pretty much five years - at a minimum.  What's interesting to see is how many of the west coast private colleges, as well as other public schools like Oregon State, are aggressively marketing this against the UC's.  Pacific has a "four-year guarantee" where if you can't graduate in four years (other than for grades) they will pick up your entire tuition/room/board for any additional time you need to finish your bachelor's.

[winflop]

I had several friends in high school who chose SC with scholarships over UCLA or Berkeley, and they don't regret it.

I would too, in part because I could graduate in four years.  These days any UC school is pretty much five years - at a minimum.  What's interesting to see is how many of the west coast private colleges, as well as other public schools like Oregon State, are aggressively marketing this against the UC's.  Pacific has a "four-year guarantee" where if you can't graduate in four years (other than for grades) they will pick up your entire tuition/room/board for any additional time you need to finish your bachelor's.