USC vs. UCI vs UC Davis Forum

[cantreadgood]

Trying to decide between the following:

1. UC Davis- COA $75,000
2. USC-COA $100,000
3. UC Irvine-COA $42,000

I am definitely looking to stay in CA. I have strong ties to Southern California(lived there basically my whole life). My significant other would be paying for our living expenses(everything except tuition). Big law is not a 100% goal, but I wouldn't be opposed to it. I have been working in Immigration law for the past 3 years and therefore could see myself easily moving on to that area of practice(or similar PI type of law). My LSAT is 162(maxed out on retakes) and GPA 3.7X. I have 20k saved for law school to help put down towards cost of living or any snags that may come up along the way.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

[BigZuck]

Trying to decide between the following:

1. UC Davis- COA $75,000
2. USC-COA $100,000
3. UC Irvine-COA $42,000

I am definitely looking to stay in CA. I have strong ties to Southern California(lived there basically my whole life). My significant other would be paying for our living expenses(everything except tuition). Big law is not a 100% goal, but I wouldn't be opposed to it. I have been working in Immigration law for the past 3 years and therefore could see myself easily moving on to that area of practice. My LSAT is 162(maxed out on retakes) and GPA 3.7X.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

What does the cost of attendance look like if the SO doesn't pay for your living expenses?

USC for 100K is probably justified (really the outer bounds of what I would feel comfortable paying) but I'm skeptical that you won't be in considerably more debt than that.

Irvine is probably ok with modest career goals and if it really were that cost.

I wouldn't bother with Davis if you want to be in southern CA and I think that's too much to pay there.

[rpupkin]

No reason to go with Davis here unless you specifically want to be in Northern California. And even then, $75K+ debt for Davis is risky.

So I think it's USC vs. UCI vs. Don't Go. Not sure. How many students is UCI admitting in your class? Once UCI gets to 150 students per class, I think it has the potential to turn into a Hastings-level dumpster fire as far as employment outcomes go. USC is safer, but $100K+ is a lot of debt to take on for a school that is unlikely to lead to big law.

[twenty]

If you go to any of these schools, you have to permanently rule out biglaw in your mind, and you have to approach law school with a sense of awe in the "a third of the people in this classroom won't have a job nine months after graduation" variety. Being a reverse splitter that would like biglaw, TCR is basically sit out until you can retake, and then reapply.

[chuckbass]

If you go to any of these schools, you have to permanently rule out biglaw in your mind, and you have to approach law school with a sense of awe in the "a third of the people in this classroom won't have a job nine months after graduation" variety. Being a reverse splitter that would like biglaw, TCR is basically sit out until you can retake, and then reapply.

And if you don't follow this advice, since most people "can't" sit out, go with USC

[Nomo]

If you're actually happy with the idea of of not getting biglaw, then I would go with Irvine. If biglaw is a serious goal then you need to retake and reapply.

[rion91]

biglaw? usc. public interest? uci

[eav1277]

biglaw? usc. public interest? uci

Agreed. Who voted for Davis...

[rpupkin]

biglaw? usc. public interest? uci

Agreed. Who voted for Davis...

Davis isn't the right choice here, but "biglaw? usc. public interest? uci" is misleading. Big law isn't likely out of USC, and a long-term public interest position probably isn't likely out of UCI. If OP goes to any of these schools, he or she has to be prepared for the chance of unemployment and/or a small- or mid-firm job that pays in the $40K - $80K range.

[AReasonableMan]

The #'s seem iffy, but USC is absolutely worth 58k more than the other 2.

[Yea All Right]

The #'s seem iffy, but USC is absolutely worth 58k more than the other 2.

OP, how did you get USC COA down to $100,000 with your numbers?

[LawsRUs]

OP, do you happen to be URM?

[cantreadgood]

I do.happen to be a urm.

[timbs4339]

100k is pushing it (run those numbers using the LST calculator) but I'd choose USC. Decent biglaw prospects.

[LawsRUs]

Welcome to the Trojan Family (?)

Although I would run the numbers for COA again*, 100k is probably the most that I would also pay. I hope you are negotiating. Good luck !!

* 4.39% average tuition increase for 'SC, interests and fees on loans, etc.

Also, Davis is out, no question.

[OhBoyOhBortles]

I'd definitely wait a year or however long it takes for you to have another crack at the lsat. You could have much better options than this in the long-term. Or, this:

Although I would run the numbers for COA again*, 100k is probably the most that I would also pay. I hope you are negotiating. Good luck !!

Keep negotiating.

[cantreadgood]

Thanks guys. Do you think USC would ever consider UCI's scholarship for negotiations ?

[LawsRUs]

Thanks guys. Do you think USC would ever consider UCI's scholarship for negotiations ?

I highly doubt it, but it never hurts to try, you know? (Also, could you pm me if you are successful or unsuccessful in negotiating with USC with an offer from UCI? Thanks..)

GL!