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Assume "only" ~80k debt from either thanks to some outside circumstances (not assuming any income during school in that number). NYU is also an option, but would come with 150k+ debt that I'm not interested in.

My #1 goal is a job in LA. It seems like there are a decent amount of "midlaw" firms that pay less than market, but still low 6 figures. This goes against the conventional bi-modal trolling, but assume I'd be happy with one of those firms over market in a city with terrible weather (i.e. every other major market).

My biggest issue is a lack of ties. If I had ties this would be an easy choice. I've been to LA frequently for business, but never lived there, never went to school there, etc. What I've heard from students actually interviewing in LA is that ties are important, but I'm not sure how important.

What's the best choice?

If the #1 priority is being in L.A. and you have no ties, take USC. If you had ties, I'd say Duke. NYU is probably not worth twice the cost for the SoCal market.

If you are absolutely certain you want LA, go to USC and use your acceptances and financial aid awards from DNCG to get more money from USC.

My guess is that if you got into DNCG, you are probably qualified for a decent scholarship at USC.

why are ties important for LA?

also, what exactly is meant by ties? is the idea that firms don't think you are credibly interested in relocating, or that they are concerned you wouldn't be able to recruit clients.

DNCG scholarships and USC scholarship are already similar and apparently USC won't go up anyway.

From what I've heard regarding ties in L.A., firms may not view you as a credible candidate to relocate or may view you as a flight risk with no ties. With so many L.A. area undergrads coming back from T14s, this seems plausible.

TUP wrote:DNCG scholarships and USC scholarship are already similar and apparently USC won't go up anyway.

From what I've heard regarding ties in L.A., firms may not view you as a credible candidate to relocate or may view you as a flight risk with no ties. With so many L.A. area undergrads coming back from T14s, this seems plausible.

This. Its a tough call though. If you went to duke and interned in LA 1L year (most internships are for free so you should have a strong shot at getting one), you would have some ties to the area going into 2l. But it will be tougher. How about UCLA? Can you get in there. That would be more ideal.

I've thought about that and I would think a 1L summer would be sufficient for ties if I had the grades going into OCI. However, it's a big risk when plenty of USC/UCLA/etc. undergrads at T14s will be heading back to LA as well. I'd also obviously prefer to be in LA during the next 3 years.

Would UCLA be any better assuming the same financial situation? I realize they're slightly higher ranked and might do better outside of LA, but they seem equal in LA with the NLJ250 % going back and forth year to year.

If you get into UCLA, you should probably take it over USC, all else being equal.

Appreciate the advice.

The poll is almost 50/50, but I wonder how many are DNCG votes that just vote on rankings every time.

If you are not dead set on Big Law and you are sure you want LA, go to USC. But, as suggested above, squeeze more money out of them first.

It seems like their merit awards are capped at 90k unfortunately.