<p>I absolutely agree that one person’s anecdotal experience with a school – particularly someone you don’t even know – is NOT a good reason for making a choice. </p>
<p>I mentioned D’s friend for a couple of reasons, though. First, because my SIL, who has been a high school counselor for 30+ years, has told us that she sees many kids who choose schools primarily based on financial reasons end up unhappy and often transfer or even drop out. Second, the location of a campus, and how comfortable you feel living there, can be an important factor in your happiness over 4 years.</p>
<p>“Journalism” is a declining battered profession with typically low wages and unsteady and often high unemployment/underemployment. Northwestern B-school is an altogether separate application process that has a wide draw, and applicants usually have several years of relevant work-experience prior to application. Stay local; go USC.</p>
<p>I bleed purple for NU and I’m not a personal fan of USC (just not my personal taste) but it sounds like USC is a wise and excellent choice. This isn’t a trade off where you are moving horribly down the ladder of schools.</p>