USC or UCLA at equal cost? Forum

[bk1]

I think there is outside of california. Inside california, especially in LA, the two are equal.

I could see that, but the difference isn't hugely substantial in my mind and if you're going to UCLA for a non-CA job, you're doing it wrong.

[mikunta]

.

[20160810]

Location? Advantage UCLA
Reputation? (Slight) Advantage UCLA
Douchiness factor? Advantage UCLA

Go to UCLA

[99.9luft]

Location? Advantage UCLA
Reputation? (Slight) Advantage UCLA
Douchiness factor? Advantage UCLA

Go to UCLA

USC is douchetastic (i think it largely carries over from undergrad).

[20160810]

Location? Advantage UCLA
Reputation? (Slight) Advantage UCLA
Douchiness factor? Advantage UCLA

Go to UCLA

USC is douchetastic (i think it largely carries over from undergrad).

That is what I meant to say. Apologies if that came off unclear.

[weee]

I know a lot of emphasis gets put on %age when it comes to biglaw placement, but somehow I always felt that the actual number of students each school places matters a lot too. The fact is each year UCLA puts more students into big law just because it has almost 50% more students.

Both choices seem decent and have their pros and cons. Confer with your significant other and make the choice that feels right to you. Also, I know UCLA gives you opportunities to talk to current students via e-mail, phone, admitted students' day, you should really be taking as many opportunities like this that you can get from both schools to make a more informed choice.

[Attorney]

I know there is a persistent UCLA v. USC debate going on but I wanted some fresh opinions.

Go with whatever is cheaper for you. If they are the same cover charge and you have to commute from downtown every day, remember this: time is money, friend. They are peers. UCLA is not worth commuting to and fro for 2 hours a day if you could just walk to USC.

[bk1]

I know a lot of emphasis gets put on %age when it comes to biglaw placement, but somehow I always felt that the actual number of students each school places matters a lot too. The fact is each year UCLA puts more students into big law just because it has almost 50% more students.

You feel wrongly.

[Curry]

I know a lot of emphasis gets put on %age when it comes to biglaw placement, but somehow I always felt that the actual number of students each school places matters a lot too. The fact is each year UCLA puts more students into big law just because it has almost 50% more students.

You feel wrongly.

[boalt2l]

I have talked to students at both schools where they estimate biglaw placement is ~15%, going to either for LA biglaw is unrealistic.

[Curry]

I have talked to students at both schools where they estimate biglaw placement is ~15%, going to either for LA biglaw is unrealistic.

This is just wrong on so many levels.

[predent/prelaw]

I have talked to students at both schools where they estimate biglaw placement is ~15%, going to either for LA biglaw is unrealistic.

This is just wrong on so many levels.

[glitter178]

I have talked to students at both schools where they estimate biglaw placement is ~15%, going to either for LA biglaw is unrealistic.

This is just wrong on so many levels.

? I thought it was like 30% +

[Ratchet Jackson]

I have talked to students at both schools where they estimate biglaw placement is ~15%, going to either for LA biglaw is unrealistic.

This is just wrong on so many levels.

? I thought it was like 30% +

This is an egregious example of Nor Cal hatred on So Cal. Pay it no attention; the statistics have zero credence.

[Curry]

This is just wrong on so many levels.

? I thought it was like 30% +

This is an egregious example of Nor Cal hatred on So Cal. Pay it no attention; the statistics have zero credence.

This. UCLA and USC are both placing close to 30-35% of their classes into biglaw right now. the 15% number is just ridiculous.

[bk1]

This. UCLA and USC are both placing close to 30-35% of their classes into biglaw right now. the 15% number is just ridiculous.

My conservative estimates (erring on the low side):

Stanford - 175%
Boalt - 40-50%
USC/UCLA - 25-30%
UCD/UCH - 10-15%
UCI - 1%

In case it isn't clear, two of these numbers are jokes.

[Aberzombie1892]

*I have not read the rest of the thread

In recent years, USC has been doing better for big law (about 3 years, I believe). While this marginal difference may not matter in most comparisons, it matters here because the schools are so similar.

I'm not sure which one is merely "better." I would visit and decide. If you do indeed visit, please talk to current students and admitted students about their thoughts on the two schools.

Also, tuition at UCLA could go up dramatically during your time there. Be aware of that.

[Curry]

This. UCLA and USC are both placing close to 30-35% of their classes into biglaw right now. the 15% number is just ridiculous.

My conservative estimates (erring on the low side):

Stanford - 175%
Boalt - 40-50%
USC/UCLA - 25-30%
UCD/UCH - 10-15%
UCI - 1%

In case it isn't clear, two of these numbers are jokes.

HOW CAN YOU OVERESTIMATE UCI LIKE THAT?

[bk1]

In recent years, USC has been doing better for big law (about 3 years, I believe). While this marginal difference may not matter in most comparisons, it matters here because the schools are so similar.

USC did better in 2007, 2008, and 2009. UCLA did better in 2005 and 2010.

I'd say it's a wash.

[Curry]

In recent years, USC has been doing better for big law (about 3 years, I believe). While this marginal difference may not matter in most comparisons, it matters here because the schools are so similar.

USC did better in 2007, 2008, and 2009. UCLA did better in 2005 and 2010.

I'd say it's a wash.

The two schools place almost identically into biglaw, with UCLA having a reputation for doing better in PI and clerkships (although not by a substantial margin). If for some reason you are choosing between UCLA and USC and want to go to say new york (which is probably a horrible decision) UCLA places better than USC

[bk1]

The two schools place almost identically into biglaw, with UCLA having a reputation for doing better in PI and clerkships (although not by a substantial margin). If for some reason you are choosing between UCLA and USC and want to go to say new york (which is probably a horrible decision) UCLA places better than USC

The bolded cannot be said enough. Which is why I think that when people bring up non-CA placement for these schools it is pretty worthless.

[boalt2l]

I really love how people interpret this as hatred, and instead point to pre-crash 2010 NALP (pre crash 2008 OCI) numbers. Friends from both schools told me outside of top 10% and law review, they knew noone with Biglaw. Really funny that people on TLS call me a hater based on what I've heard from those schools' own students. I love how firsthand knowledge directly from UCLA and USC students is better than complete speculation based on pre-crash stats. Whatever, you guys win, the median private sector salary is 145,000 just as UCLA and USC say, you can find out the truth for yourselves.

[Stringer Bell]

The NLJ numbers released next year are going to be lower for sure.

[Curry]

I really love how people interpret this as hatred, and instead point to pre-crash 2010 NALP (pre crash 2008 OCI) numbers. Friends from both schools told me outside of top 10% and law review, they knew noone with Biglaw. Really funny that people on TLS call me a hater based on what I've heard from those schools' own students. I love how firsthand knowledge directly from UCLA and USC students is better than complete speculation based on pre-crash stats. Whatever, you guys win, the median private sector salary is 145,000 just as UCLA and USC say, you can find out the truth for yourselves.

I GO to UCLA and speak to the dean on a frequent basis. Are you sure your information is more accurate than mine?

[Attorney]

I really love how people interpret this as hatred, and instead point to pre-crash 2010 NALP (pre crash 2008 OCI) numbers. Friends from both schools told me outside of top 10% and law review, they knew noone with Biglaw. Really funny that people on TLS call me a hater based on what I've heard from those schools' own students. I love how firsthand knowledge directly from UCLA and USC students is better than complete speculation based on pre-crash stats. Whatever, you guys win, the median private sector salary is 145,000 just as UCLA and USC say, you can find out the truth for yourselves.

Boalt 2L knows little about these numbers. Mainly because he is relying entirely on the hearsay of a couple of friends at these schools. The Class of 2010 had it worse than the Class of 2014 (OP's class) will. For 2010, the Big Law + clerkship numbers were in the 35% to 40% range for both of these two LA schools. Boalt Hall, 50%.

If Big Law fell to 15% at UCLA/USC, it would likely be no higher than 25% at Berkeley.