UC Hastings vs. Pittsburgh Forum

[kristyk]

I'm into UC Hastings where out-of-state tuition runs about $70k -- I've been awarded the Hastings Grant which is $11k.

I'm also into Pittsburgh where tuition runs about $35k -- and I've been awarded their Dean's Scholarship, which is $15k. (Have to maintain a 3.0 GPA to keep the Scholarship.)

So, UC Hastings at $59k + higher COL... OR... Pittsburgh at $20k and a more comfortable COL.

Both schools have programs I'm interested in. I'm originally from the northeast so I'm not "turned off" by Pittsburgh the way others might be. But I'm sensitive to fact that Hastings is a Top 50 school and Pittsburgh isn't. Or am I making too big of a deal out of rankings?

Thanks in advance, TLS forum readers!

[20160810]

Do you want to work in CA or (hopefully) work in Pittsburgh? This will answer your question.

[dpk711]

Do you want to work in CA or (hopefully) work in Pittsburgh? This will answer your question.

[mettasutta]

I'm into UC Hastings where out-of-state tuition runs about $70k -- I've been awarded the Hastings Grant which is $11k.

I'm also into Pittsburgh where tuition runs about $35k -- and I've been awarded their Dean's Scholarship, which is $15k. (Have to maintain a 3.0 GPA to keep the Scholarship.)

So, UC Hastings at $59k + higher COL... OR... Pittsburgh at $20k and a more comfortable COL.

Both schools have programs I'm interested in. I'm originally from the northeast so I'm not "turned off" by Pittsburgh the way others might be. But I'm sensitive to fact that Hastings is a Top 50 school and Pittsburgh isn't. Or am I making too big of a deal out of rankings?

Thanks in advance, TLS forum readers!

I think you are, haha, Honestly, the difference in placement between a 42 and a 71 is not as large as the difference in ranking would lead you to believe. Rankings after the top 30 are wildly volatile, and it is not uncommon for schools to rise or fall 15 or so points from year to year (case in point, Villanova this year). These rises and falls in ranking don't mean a thing placement wise; the reputation of a school is built up over decades.

That said, I would chose Pitt; $59K in tuition alone is insane. These are both regional schools. Are you absolutely OK with being limited to the Pittsburgh market for quite some time? Also, what is the median GPA of students at Pitt? Hopefully above a 3.0, which is your stipulation.

[kristyk]

Median GPA is 3.1 and scholarship stips maintaining a 3.0.

I visited the school this past weekend and had a really great visit. I think I'm going to choose Pitt for now (unless I get off the waitlists at either Minnesota or Wisconsin).

Thanks for the help!

[Case2L]

Median GPA is 3.1 and scholarship stips maintaining a 3.0.

I visited the school this past weekend and had a really great visit. I think I'm going to choose Pitt for now (unless I get off the waitlists at either Minnesota or Wisconsin).

Thanks for the help!

Good choice. Paying $60K per year to attend a school NOT named Harvard, Stanford, or Yale is a bad idea.

[Lasers]

yep.

definitely pitt; hastings is just a really tough choice to justify for the OOS cost. just insane. only way you could is if you really wanted SF/CA.