Trying to decide between Clemson and OSU

I have been accepted to both Clemson and Ohio State (ACT: 33, GPA: W-4.264/UW-3.88). I am from Ohio and I am planning to major in business and am on the pre-law track, so will likely be minoring in poli sci. Not sure about scholarships or honors programs yet since I was just accepted, but as of right now am very torn between the two. Any thoughts?

What is a “pre-law track” ?

I ask because you want to major in business. Even though any major is accepted by law schools, majors which require analytical thought & analytical writing are probably the best preparation for law school.

Otherwise, if truly undecided, go to the lower cost school so that you can afford law school.

It is a pre-professional track for students interested in attending law school. It generally consists of just a few courses (political science, philosophy, economics) that will help you on the LSAT and in law school. Both Clemson and OSU have specific pre-law advisors for students interested in pursuing that career.

@ohiostudent1402 Congratulations!! DD was accepted to Clemson as well; obviously by my handle you can tell I’m a tiger, but paying OOS (even with merit) AND law school, as a mom I’m having a bit of a panic attack. Seriously though, if finances for undergrad and law school are not a factor, then follow your heart, if your parents are o.k. with it. If like many of us, money plays a role, then I’d go with the school with the least chance of putting you in debt because you will have 3 years of law school to pay for. Here is a parent-created merit scale using the NPC for the Clemson class of 2023. I did not create it; it was done by another parent in the 2023 thread. The new merit/NPC for 2020 won’t come out until probably January, but it gives you a ballpark idea:

"For a student ranked in the top 10%, with the indicated SAT/ACT, the estimated merit awards are:
SAT 1590-1600/ACT 36 - $20,000
SAT 1540-1580/ACT 35 - $20,000
SAT 1500-1530/ACT 34 - $15,000
SAT 1460-1490/ACT 33 - $10,000
SAT 1430-1450/ACT 32 - $10,000
SAT 1400-1420/ACT 31 - $7,500
SAT 1370-1390/ACT 30 - $7,500
SAT 1340-1360/ACT 29 - $5,000

For a student ranked between 10% and 15%:
SAT 1590-1600/ACT 36 - $7,500
SAT 1540-1580/ACT 35 - $7,500
SAT 1500-1530/ACT 34 - $7,500
SAT 1460-1490/ACT 33 - $7,500
SAT 1430-1450/ACT 32 - $7,500
SAT 1400-1420/ACT 31 - $7,500
SAT 1370-1390/ACT 30 - $7,500
SAT 1340-1360/ACT 29 - $5,000
All other combinations indicated $0 in Merit Aid."

Whatever you decide I wish you well; good luck on your decision!!

Ohio State’s tuition is about $11,000 for residents while Clemson’s non-resident tuition is slightly over $38,000.

Both, however, are significantly cheaper if you play football really, really well.

Given the price differential, I would think tOSU would be a wise choice, assuming you have visited, felt comfortable, and think you can succeed at both.

Unless money is no object, go to tOSU. Both are great schools. Clemson isn’t worth the OOS tuition difference over tOSU instate.

I’ll throw out a different tact.

A good financial
move is attending where you think you can thrive academically. And then hit that LSAT out of the park. Job #1.

Where do you think you want to live after law school? Are you thinking NYC Wall Street law career? Or nice law practice in a Midwest City? Law practices are very prestige conscious. tOSU law is a T50 law school and highest ranked in Ohio. There are solid non-ranked law schools in Ohio, like Cleveland state, but those are really focused on people who want to practice in the local area. An Ohio law school will likely be your best option, because tOSU is so highly ranked and any state school will be your best financial option. Would you want to spend 7 straight years in Ohio? Or…would Clemson for undergrad and then an Ohio law school be better for you? (Taking $ out of the equation. We have established you are not really, really good at football, right?).

One other factor is that tOSU is in a state capital, so there are lots of political organizations and obviously legislators and more than than their share of law firms.

Then again…Clemson will be a tad warmer.

Either school can prepare you well academically.

Assuming you like both schools equally, and money isn’t that much of a factor, and you are only mediocre at football…I would think about how long you want to live in Ohio, and how your choice would play into that.

I agree with the above advice. There’s no benefit to paying triple the tuition costs for the same bachelors degree. Even if your parents have money, it’s impractical to spend that kind of money when you could get the same education for a fraction of the cost.