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The total cost of attendance at USC is $74,390 and the total cost at WUSTL is $68,600. I plan on paying out of pocket for living expenses so I'm really contemplating tuition. Attending USC will require me to take out $60,000 in students loans over three years to meet the $150,000 tuition. If I attend WUSTL, I will not take out any loans as there's only about $3500 in tuition leftover per year. I know that job prospects need to be a major part of my decision, but after recently talking to someone who knows an unemployed USC graduate, I am getting nervous. I would like to know other people's opinions on whether the debt is really worth it. Thanks!

Where are you from? Where do you want to practice?

Where are you from? Where do you want to work?

There is a non-marginal risk of unemployment from both schools (it's larger at WUSTL though).

Do you want to live in Southern California or the Midwest (or go back to where you came from?)

This will out me, but I live in Vegas. I think USC is the more obvious choice but WUSTL keeps enticing me as they just increased my scholarship without solicitation.

Do yo have any interest in practicing in the Midwest? If not, then USC.

I'm a pretty flexible person, so the question of whether I'm interested in practicing in the Midwest boils down to what are my chances of employment with no ties and will I be in culture shock?

AlmostOver wrote:I'm a pretty flexible person, so the question of whether I'm interested in practicing in the Midwest boils down to what are my chances of employment with no ties and will I be in culture shock?

Just go to USC lol.

Two schools with equal repute, and one is $40k cheaper? And, you aren't tied to a specific geography? Come on...

Although I voted USC, I think that this is a personal decision depending upon where you want to live & work after graduation. Visit both, then decide. If still unsure, then USC.

Go to USC. If you are from Vegas and want potential big bucks in the region, USC is the obvious choice. USC also gives you better employment coverage; a huge deal in this market. Consider the marginal extra-money it costs for a USC degree as payment for that employment security.

Oh, and SoCal is pretty fun. Plus, Trojan football. Superficial, yes. Anyway, you'll be thinking about USC if you go to Wash U.

Also,...can't you ask USC for more money? Show them your Wash U $$$ and say you just need a little more of a cash boost. Leverage, man, leverage!!!

If I attend WUSTL, I will not take out any loans as there's only about $3500 in tuition leftover per year.

WOOSTLE! I am probably one of the more debt-averse posters on TLS, and a 0L. But that's what my inclination would be.

Zero debt at all? That would be awful hard to turn down. Both are great choices here. If you were deadset on the west coast I'd say USC but if you're open the zero debt is what I'd do. Either way, solid options and good luck.

BarcaCrossesTheAlps wrote:Also,...can't you ask USC for more money? Show them your Wash U $$$ and say you just need a little more of a cash boost. Leverage, man, leverage!!!

Still voting WUSTL but this is credited. Get every dime out of USC that you can before deciding, and the WUSTL scholarship is great leverage.

seancris wrote:

BarcaCrossesTheAlps wrote:Also,...can't you ask USC for more money? Show them your Wash U $$$ and say you just need a little more of a cash boost. Leverage, man, leverage!!!

Still voting WUSTL but this is credited. Get every dime out of USC that you can before deciding, and the WUSTL scholarship is great leverage.

Good luck with this. I had a huge scholly at WUSTL and a decent one from UCLA, and USC would not give me a dime.

blackmun47 wrote:Two schools with equal repute, and one is $40k cheaper? And, you aren't tied to a specific geography? Come on...

Sorry but these schools in no way have equal reputations.

Thank you to everyone for your opinions. I haven't visited WUSTL and maybe that's what I need to do. As far as USC, I have been there, and liked the school and the people. If it weren't for the $0 debt at WUSTL, I'd be happy with a decision of USC. Confused!

bk187 wrote:

blackmun47 wrote:Two schools with equal repute, and one is $40k cheaper? And, you aren't tied to a specific geography? Come on...

Sorry but these schools in no way have equal reputations.

It's $60,000 cheaper, but are the reputations equal? I'd love more opinions.

AlmostOver wrote:

bk187 wrote:

blackmun47 wrote:Two schools with equal repute, and one is $40k cheaper? And, you aren't tied to a specific geography? Come on...

Sorry but these schools in no way have equal reputations.

It's $60,000 cheaper, but are the reputations equal? I'd love more opinions.

USC has better firm placement. It is also much better on the West Coast obviously. Though in terms of portability, I'd be a little surprised if USC placed better in the Midwest than WUSTL does on the West Coast.

If you are shooting for biglaw, USC is the better school. Though with no debt at all, biglaw is not a necessity.