<p>Hello,
I was recently admitted to USC Viterbi School of Engineering with the presidential scholarship offering half tuition and was also offered admission to the University of Kentucky on a full ride through national merit. USC would cost me about 40k per year while I would have to pay nothing at Kentucky. I'm planning on majoring in computer science and then going on to law school to do patent law. I know that USC has the better engineering program, but is it worth the cost? USC also probably has more connections, opportunities, and a social atmosphere that I would more easily fit into, but Kentucky makes the most financial sense, especially when I would have to shell out another 100k or so for law school later on. Also, I don't know if USC's reputation would help me get into top law schools more than Kentucky. I'm really torn between USC's seemingly awesome atmosphere/education and Kentucky's finances. Any advice? Thanks!!</p>
<p>Did you apply and qualify for financial aid at SC? If so, have you received your complete financial aid package from the university?</p>
<p>By a free ride do you mean transportion, books, fees, tuition, room and board?</p>
<p>Do you have any savings of your own from summer jobs, etc?</p>
<p>I can’t get financial aid becuase I’m considered international. I’ve talked to USC about it and 40k is the final amount I’m going to have to pay. I’m getting a job this summer and I’m hoping to have around 2,000 saved up, maybe a little bit more. At Kentucky all books, room and board, and transportation would be covered.</p>
<p>If it’s free, go to Kentucky.</p>
<p>It’s always tough to get beyond finances, but you are right to keep factors like connections, opportunities, and social atmosphere in consideration. Wherever you choose to go to school will be your home and your life for four years, so it’s really important that you pick somewhere you’ll be happy and engaged. The undergrad experience is something you can only do once, and your peers make a huge difference, as does your location and the opportunities you’re surrounded by.</p>
<p>Another thing to consider is the possibility that your plans change and you decide to get an MS in engineering or just pursue it as a career, or get an MBA, or any number of other options. Plans can really change during undergrad. </p>
<p>Anyway, I don’t mean to trivialize finances here. Of course weigh all the factors, and money is a huge factor, but also don’t feel guilty about still assigning significant weight to “soft” factors like social life and other opportunities and see how you feel about all the factors at both schools.</p>
<p>You also could get scholarships for grad school or even undergrad scholarships for continuing students, but I know that’s hard to bank on.</p>
<p>Hope my personal advice helps a little - good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>Steve
Viterbi Class of 2013</p>
<p>40K per year or $160k for 4 years, it’s a pretty simple answer. Undergrad is undergrad, you can go to UK then apply to something really different (even USC) for grad school and not be $160k in debt.</p>
<p>Go to Kentucky. You have a legal education to pay for. When I applied to law schools, they did not care where you got undergrad degree so connections will not help you get admitted to law school. They of course will be helpful when you get out but as far as getting in, they did not matter. Law schools did and my guess is still do care a lot about grades and lsats. Extracirriculars can help too but as an engineering student, it will be harder for you to get a 4.0 than other majors so if u have to choose between grades and ecs, focus on grades. If u are able to visit ky to make sure you’d like living there for 4 years, I highly recommend it.</p>