Does Undergraduate School Matter?

Hey Everyone,

I’m deciding whether to attend UCSB (for Fall 2016) or USC (for Spring 2017). I’m majoring in philosophy at UCSB and philosophy, politics, and law at USC. I’m going into college with a Pre-Law Emphasis, but I’m not sure which school is a better value choice for me. I have a huge financial restraint on where I choose to go to college. My dad is influencing me to go to UCSB, but I would love to be a Trojan and enjoy the opportunity at USC. What is the better value option, for a future Law School Student, USC or UCSB?

In terms of value, whichever one is cheaper. Going to USC over UCSB is not gain you an admittance at any law school that you wouldn’t otherwise get into. Just get the best grades you can and study hard for the LSAT.

Wherever you go, don’t do a “Pre-Law Emphasis”. That will not help getting into a top-tier law school.

I’d also go to whichever school is cheaper, as between USC and UCSB.

agreeing with the above. It is true that grads from super-top school (HYPS) do seem to show up a lot at top 5 Law schools- but given that they were already super-high achievers, it’s not clear whether that is correlation or causation! Both USC & UCSB are strong schools where you can have a great college experience.

Cost (esp b/c law school is expensive- ask your dad about applying the difference in tuition to a law school savings account!) and then where you can shine- getting great grades and great recs.