<p>Like neither of the towns–Palo Alto is uncomfortable to say the least, LA is a sprawling mess. I know two people who graduated Stanford–one undergrad, the other grad. The undergrad was a very nice guy, probably intelligent but not very imaginative; grad was the most amazing person I have ever met. I know only one person who graduated USC, and she is bright, caring, and extremely committed. Both schools are excellent mirrors of the people who go there.</p>