Top Law Schools

I'm not here asking which I should attend, just curious to hear the consensus on strengths and weaknesses, similarities and differences, stuff like that. I have visited both and can recognize that they are similarly ranked (though clearly not equal), but I thought the vibe was quite a bit different from one to the other. Obviously public vs private comes into play, and USC is also smaller than UCLA, which they play up heavily during their tour.

Is there a consensus that the Trojan Network has a palpable impact on USC's employment figures in southern california? I've heard it said anecdotally from LA lawyers that the Trojan Network has more to do with undergrads and lay prestige, and does not necessarily translate to legal jobs. How does this compare to UCLA's "Bruins Hiring Bruins" push?

What does the difference in ranking mean in a practical sense? I'm sure this thread has been done before, but I couldn't find a good version where anyone says anything besides "they're basically the same, pick the one that gives you $$." Cheers.

Glasseyes wrote: Is there a consensus that the Trojan Network has a palpable impact on USC's employment figures in southern california? I've heard it said anecdotally from LA lawyers that the Trojan Network has more to do with undergrads and lay prestige, and does not necessarily translate to legal jobs. How does this compare to UCLA's "Bruins Hiring Bruins" push?

What does the difference in ranking mean in a practical sense? I'm sure this thread has been done before, but I couldn't find a good version where anyone says anything besides "they're basically the same, pick the one that gives you $$." Cheers.

You are correct; the Trojan Network is stronger for undergrads than it is for the law students. In general, the alumni I've met were very helpful and receptive. I got a few interviews I was under-qualified for through them. It didn't really make a huge difference for my employment prospects. I get the same feeling from my friends at UCLA. They said the alumni they contacted were helpful but it didn't really help in the long run.

There really isn't a definitive answer. The difference in rankings probably won't be the deciding factor if you have similar candidates from both schools. Last summer, the office I worked at just decided to split the difference and took one SA from each school. UCLA is up this year and USC is down for what its worth.

They're basically the same. Pick which one gives you more money.

DildaMan wrote:You are correct; the Trojan Network is stronger for undergrads than it is for the law students. In general, the alumni I've met were very helpful and receptive. I got a few interviews I was under-qualified for through them. It didn't really make a huge difference for my employment prospects. I get the same feeling from my friends at UCLA. They said the alumni they contacted were helpful but it didn't really help in the long run.

There really isn't a definitive answer. The difference in rankings probably won't be the deciding factor if you have similar candidates from both schools. Last summer, the office I worked at just decided to split the difference and took one SA from each school. UCLA is up this year and USC is down for what its worth.

Interesting, and seems to confirm some of my suspicions. I know a married couple here in LA - both gainfully employed in different sectors, he went to UCLA, she went to USC - and they seem to think they're entirely comparable here in LA. Do you think there's any truth to the posited/advertised theory that UCLA reaches further into the national market?

Do you like Westwood? For all the "they are the same" talk, the neighborhoods are different. If you are a commuter, it's really a 110 N v 405 N issue. Both suck, but 110 has the new toll road so I'm a fan.

Glasseyes wrote:

DildaMan wrote:You are correct; the Trojan Network is stronger for undergrads than it is for the law students. In general, the alumni I've met were very helpful and receptive. I got a few interviews I was under-qualified for through them. It didn't really make a huge difference for my employment prospects. I get the same feeling from my friends at UCLA. They said the alumni they contacted were helpful but it didn't really help in the long run.

There really isn't a definitive answer. The difference in rankings probably won't be the deciding factor if you have similar candidates from both schools. Last summer, the office I worked at just decided to split the difference and took one SA from each school. UCLA is up this year and USC is down for what its worth.

Interesting, and seems to confirm some of my suspicions. I know a married couple here in LA - both gainfully employed in different sectors, he went to UCLA, she went to USC - and they seem to think they're entirely comparable here in LA. Do you think there's any truth to the posited/advertised theory that UCLA reaches further into the national market?

No. They're both regional schools. Pick whichever is cheaper.

jbagelboy wrote:Do you like Westwood? For all the "they are the same" talk, the neighborhoods are different. If you are a commuter, it's really a 110 N v 405 N issue. Both suck, but 110 has the new toll road so I'm a fan.

I do like Westwood, yeah. In terms of the campus and the vibe of each school (and the students, for that matter), there's no question that I prefer UCLA. But at the end of the day I know I need to focus on the practicalities of employment outcomes and overall expenditures anyway.

For whatever reason, everyone my wife has been talking to (working lawyers in LA), have been recommending USC for biglaw, which flies in the face of the actual new grad employment stats.

Do you guys know if employers generally have the same GPA cutoffs for OCI, or if there's much of a difference in terms of the actual firms that show up at each?

This is a dead horse I plan to beat thoroughly before I end up making a decision one way or another

go where you get more money..

Glasseyes wrote:

jbagelboy wrote:Do you like Westwood? For all the "they are the same" talk, the neighborhoods are different. If you are a commuter, it's really a 110 N v 405 N issue. Both suck, but 110 has the new toll road so I'm a fan.

I do like Westwood, yeah. In terms of the campus and the vibe of each school (and the students, for that matter), there's no question that I prefer UCLA. But at the end of the day I know I need to focus on the practicalities of employment outcomes and overall expenditures anyway.

For whatever reason, everyone my wife has been talking to (working lawyers in LA), have been recommending USC for biglaw, which flies in the face of the actual new grad employment stats.

Do you guys know if employers generally have the same GPA cutoffs for OCI, or if there's much of a difference in terms of the actual firms that show up at each?

This is a dead horse I plan to beat thoroughly before I end up making a decision one way or another

If the price is the same, and you prefer UCLA environment hands down, go for it. Happier law students tend to make better/more successful law students.

zman wrote:go where you get more money..

This

I'm going through a similar dilemma as you OP.

FYI I'm from California, born and raised in LA. Now debating between LA and SC for law.

Simply put, both schools are strong regional peer schools, with UCLA having a slightly greater national reach and USC having a slightly more private sector emphasis as opposed to UCLA's PI/government/etc. focus. What does this all mean? Absolutely nothing. Some may laud UCLA for its nicer area and campus while others may praise USC for its smaller class size. To me, everything is equivalent.

I'm deciding between both schools as well. What I'm basing the majority of my decision on is which school gives me the cheaper COA. That's it. Show me the money. Go where the $$$ flows my friend.

UCLA sent like 2-3% more of the most recent class out of state. That's a minuscule number. That's not more national reach, that's just buying into UCLA's marketing of itself.

Here's how I would choose between the schools:
1.Whichever was cheaper
2.Whichever was cheaper
3.Whichever was cheaper
4.Whichever I liked more
5.Flip a coin

BigZuck wrote:UCLA sent like 2-3% more of the most recent class out of state. That's a minuscule number. That's not more national reach, that's just buying into UCLA's marketing of itself.

Here's how I would choose between the schools:
1.Whichever was cheaper
2.Whichever was cheaper
3.Whichever was cheaper
4.Whichever I liked more
5.Flip a coin

Since you seem to approach this like a straight shooter, what do you think about the latest Biglaw + Fedclerk #s for each?

UCLA: 32.5 + 6.9 = 39.5%
USC: 29.8 + 3.8 = 33.6%

Seems like 6 points is a significant difference especially if USC is supposed to be focused on these kinds of jobs, no?

Glasseyes wrote:

BigZuck wrote:UCLA sent like 2-3% more of the most recent class out of state. That's a minuscule number. That's not more national reach, that's just buying into UCLA's marketing of itself.

Here's how I would choose between the schools:
1.Whichever was cheaper
2.Whichever was cheaper
3.Whichever was cheaper
4.Whichever I liked more
5.Flip a coin

Since you seem to approach this like a straight shooter, what do you think about the latest Biglaw + Fedclerk #s for each?

UCLA: 32.5 + 6.9 = 39.5%
USC: 29.8 + 3.8 = 33.6%

Seems like 6 points is a significant difference especially if USC is supposed to be focused on these kinds of jobs, no?

It usually comes out even there but UCLA did have a better year.

I think you would probably have to be in top 5% to demand a New York spot.

New numbers don't mean much. Sorry. If it was 10%+ then maybe...

Glasseyes wrote:

BigZuck wrote:UCLA sent like 2-3% more of the most recent class out of state. That's a minuscule number. That's not more national reach, that's just buying into UCLA's marketing of itself.

Here's how I would choose between the schools:
1.Whichever was cheaper
2.Whichever was cheaper
3.Whichever was cheaper
4.Whichever I liked more
5.Flip a coin

Since you seem to approach this like a straight shooter, what do you think about the latest Biglaw + Fedclerk #s for each?

UCLA: 32.5 + 6.9 = 39.5%
USC: 29.8 + 3.8 = 33.6%

Seems like 6 points is a significant difference especially if USC is supposed to be focused on these kinds of jobs, no?

It's insignificant. Two years ago it was 28% UCLA, 37% USC. Year to year fluctuations mean nothing, especially when considering a tinsy, tiny school like USC.