UCLA vs USC Law Forum

[pineappleman]

UCLA: got in off waitlist, merit scholarship: 45k, need scholarship: 1L: 20k, 2L/3L: ~11k (parents buying a house worth 615k, down payment of 250k, asked the Financial Aid office what the new totals would be), for a total of $87k. Tuition cost: 135k for 3 years

USC: 120k merit scholarship. Tuition cost: 171K for 3 years.

Now i understand for UCLA, the need-based isn't 100% guaranteed, but they said all things being equivalent, it should be around that much. Should I take the guaranteed money at USC? or is it close enough where the higher ranking/job prospects of UCLA is better?

[Hand]

UCLA: got in off waitlist, merit scholarship: 45k, need scholarship: 1L: 20k, 2L/3L: ~11k (parents buying a house worth 615k, down payment of 250k, asked the Financial Aid office what the new totals would be), for a total of $87k. Tuition cost: 135k for 3 years

USC: 120k merit scholarship. Tuition cost: 171K for 3 years.

Now i understand for UCLA, the need-based isn't 100% guaranteed, but they said all things being equivalent, it should be around that much. Should I take the guaranteed money at USC? or is it close enough where the higher ranking/job prospects of UCLA is better?

Even if you get no need based aid for 2l and 3l UCLA would be cheaper so if that's your concern I don't know why your mind isn't made up yet.

ETA while I like your username I'd recommend you change it to "pineapplepants" for maximum impact

[LawsRUs]

PAman, I would ask for more money at USC, but if UCLA is cheaper, UCLA.

[UCLAHopeful2015]

You should be able to get a bump from USC using UCLA's offer. If USC doesn't budge, UCLA (disregard my username, im not biased... anymore)

[pineappleman]

UCLA: got in off waitlist, merit scholarship: 45k, need scholarship: 1L: 20k, 2L/3L: ~11k (parents buying a house worth 615k, down payment of 250k, asked the Financial Aid office what the new totals would be), for a total of $87k. Tuition cost: 135k for 3 years

USC: 120k merit scholarship. Tuition cost: 171K for 3 years.

Now i understand for UCLA, the need-based isn't 100% guaranteed, but they said all things being equivalent, it should be around that much. Should I take the guaranteed money at USC? or is it close enough where the higher ranking/job prospects of UCLA is better?

Even if you get no need based aid for 2l and 3l UCLA would be cheaper so if that's your concern I don't know why your mind isn't made up yet.

ETA while I like your username I'd recommend you change it to "pineapplepants" for maximum impact

Not 45 K a year tho, it's 15k a year, without the need based

[Hand]

edit nvm I now see why I was confused; you're saying tuition would be 135-87 (or -65) at UCLA, for a total of 48 (or 70) at UCLA and 171-120 for a total of 51 at USC.

If these estimates of your need based aid come from the UCLA fin aid office they provide you with much better information than anything anybody on here can tell you about what is going to happen on that front, but do be aware that your need based aid may be slashed entirely for 3L if you spend your 2L summer in big law. And also be sure to factor in tuition raises at USC (I am under the impression that tuition is locked in at all UC schools for the next few years, so UCLA will remain at ~45/year whereas USC will be going up with ~5% every year).

[CanadianWolf]

First, congratulations. Second, ask USC for additional scholarship money. As is, UCLA seems a bit more promising employment wise whereas USC is less expensive. Since they both serve/place into the same market, choose based on your personal preferences regarding debt & location.

[071816]

choose the cheaper option. job prospects are essentially the same for both.

[pineappleman]

edit nvm I now see why I was confused; you're saying tuition would be 135-87 (or -65) at UCLA, for a total of 48 (or 70) at UCLA and 171-120 for a total of 51 at USC.

If these estimates of your need based aid come from the UCLA fin aid office they provide you with much better information than anything anybody on here can tell you about what is going to happen on that front, but do be aware that your need based aid may be slashed entirely for 3L if you spend your 2L summer in big law. And also be sure to factor in tuition raises at USC (I am under the impression that tuition is locked in at all UC schools for the next few years, so UCLA will remain at ~45/year whereas USC will be going up with ~5% every year).

Yeah tuition is locked in for all UC's. I mean I guess the real issue is can I trust what the financial aid office says about my need-based grant? Yeah, they crunched the numbers through their formula and gave me the number $11,000 in needbased the following 2 years, but I guess I'm just having a tough time taking the instability vs the set 120k. Although UCLA WOULD be cheaper if they're being totally honest.