Hey everyone,
Got accepted into both UCLA and USC, and I need help making a decision.
Key facts/questions:
I’m planning on going to Law School (T14) after I graduate, and I’ve heard that USC has a much stronger alumni network in this regard. How important is this?
On my acceptance letter, USC have specifically told me that they’ll provide me with “Pre-Law” assistance, ie. helping me make the right connections for Law School. This sounds quite promising.
I’ve been accepted into the Political Science major at USC, whereas at UCLA I have “Pre-Political Science” status until I meet the prerequisites. What role does this play?
UCLA’s campus is in a nicer location (imo) than USC’s. How much of a difference does this make?
UCLA is hugeeeeee…I imagine this to be a drawback in every possible way for a future Law student.
I like to work hard and achieve high grades, but I also enjoy chilling out/partying.
Money is not really a problem; I’m an international student and it’ll cost me roughly the same for both schools.
I would sincerely appreciate any assistance you could give me!
Woah bro I’m on the exact same path as you. Political Science at USC with a Pre-Law track and Pre-Political Science at UCLA, I’m also planning on going to law school. Personally, USC is gonna be way cheaper for me than UCLA because I’m out-of-state, and law school is not exactly cheap. But also the Trojan alumni network is supposed to be really great, and I’m hoping will help me with future job prospects. Have you been on an official campus tour at USC? They had a presentation specifically for Dornsife students and they talked about how you will meet often with advisers who will help you with your pre-professional track, which really appealed to me. UCLA is a state school on the other hand, which talking to friends I have there means you can kinda get lost in the crowd. Personally, I’m going to SC, but any choice you make should be good as long as you have the work ethic for law school. Everything I’ve read said that really where your undergrad is actually from is not as big of a deciding factor for law school admissions as GPA and LSAT scores are. And since SC and UCLA are pretty even academically, its really just a matter of where you’re most comfortable and where you think you can maintain a high GPA.
@collegeisamaybe Bruh my instincts are telling me that I’ll be a beast at USC…I’ll know my peers and professors better, and enjoy the perks of the Trojan family. At the same time though, I feel awkward rejecting UCLA. The campus is just so beautiful.
I’ve visited UCLA, but not USC. I’m an international and have exams next month, so a trip to Cali before May 1st won’t be on the cards for me I’m afraid.
Need more halp!
I like that. I was a beast at USC, graduated Phi Beta Kappa and got into Penn, NW, Columbia and Michigan Law. I chose ML. Competition is UBER stiff at ALL U of C branches because of class size, especially poli sci. Be smart about your choice, which is obvious to me. Congrats and Fight On!
One huge benefit of attending USC as an undergrad is the ability to apply to Gould as a junior instead of a senior and, if accepted, you don’t have to take the LSAT and can finish both undergrad and law school in six years (the 3+3 program): http://www.jdjournal.com/2014/06/24/new-33-program-at-usc-gould-school-of-law/?hvid=3rzFSR.
(You can also apply as a senior, the traditional way, in which case you’d need to take the LSAT and jump through all the other hoops as well.)
@CCMThreeTimes how hard is it to get into that program?
Sorry @collegeisamaybe. All I know is what’s in the article, which implies that admission is competitive: “The program will be open to students from all majors, but they must have a GPA of 3.8 or better, strong recommendations from the faculty, an interview, a personal statement, writing samples and completed major coursework by their junior year in school. Students who want to be eligible for the program must have completed their major course requirements by their junior year.”
@SeattleTW Fresh after reading my rejection email from Stanford, I must say that I’m sold.
Troy, here I come.
Awesome, and if you get at least a 3.8 at USC, no easy task, and a 95th percentile LSAT, again, no easy task, you’ll likely get into HYS Law. USC sends at least a few there each year. Begin prepping for the LSAT your junior year and take a prep course, expensive but worth it. Welcome to Troy!
@SeattleTW Thanks! Also, would you mind giving me some advice on housing? I want to stay in one of the residence halls because they’re more social, but I’m also thinking of staying during the Winter break. Is there anyway to arrange this, i.e. stay in an apartment for the winter?
@SeattleTW Also, how bearable are the rooms without AC? I live in the Middle East so I’ve gotten quite used to having a chilled room.
I went there decades ago and times have changed. I know Birnkrant didn’t have AC when I stayed there. I do believe you’ll need AC and my apartment had AC. You’ll have no issues staying there during breaks. USC is very residential today, much more so than years past.
@SeattleTW Sounds great. I guess I’ll have to make do without AC for my freshman year…really want to live in either North or New…