<p>Academics aside (since I know nothing about those programs lol), the areas are very, very different so keep that in mind. If you'll be taking any classes at night, I'd be wary of going to USC (esp. if you're female). It's just not in a good area. Though the campus itself is nice, so just visit if you can and decide for yourself.</p>
<p>Why not try doing a commute to each? This is going to consume a major part of your day, so I'd really dig into this aspect. Try making the drive to each. Try taking MetroLink/MTA to USC (longer than driving, but you can work on the train). Ask each school if there are vanpools from your area; see if you can find out if the vanpool schedule would fit with your own schedule. Make sure you will be able to get parking, and find out the related costs. </p>
<p>Sorry to keep harping on this, but it's really a significant issue.</p>
<p>UCSChemEGrad, you have a point! Saving time is certainly as good as saving money. But why do you think the program choice is not a big factor? In fact the whole confusion is between choosing program vs tuition. (so i weigh them equal). Don't you think UCLA is more academical in terms of research and if i wanna get into the industry sooner, I should look towards USC? What do you think?</p>
<p>If there is a test like the California Bar Results then it would be much more subjective. USC wins but in this case you have to go with your instinct.</p>
<p>TaxProf</a> Blog: July 2008 California Bar Results, by School</p>
<p>Columbia_Student wrote: "USC wins" : Both UCLA and USC are at 90%... if we start talking tenths of one percent in pass rates, that's just silly.</p>
<p>Congrats at UCLA and USC. Personally, I like a suburb area so UCLA's area would be nice. However, it seems like UCLA is trying to fit as many students possible. </p>
<p>PS- I live in the city next over.(CAm.)</p>
<p>Dunn, it's #2 behind Stanford.</p>
<p>I say UCLA</p>
<p>but I'm bias so maybe you should just figure it out on your own by doing your own research and visiting hte campuses</p>
<p>
[quote]
If there is a test like the California Bar Results then it would be much more subjective. USC wins but in this case you have to go with your instinct.
[/quote]
Wow. Talk about bringing in a TOTALLY unrelated piece of data into the discussion just to be able to inflate USC. That's just like me saying, "yeah, I know you're looking at undergrad engineering related programs but if the base salaries of the grads of their respective MBA programs are any indication, then UCLA > USC (and its vaunted alumni network)."
:)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Dunn, it's #2 behind Stanford.
[/quote]
Uhhh... and UCLA is a piddly 0.3 percentage points from also "being #2 behind Stanford." You missed the entire point of DunninLA's post. Also, note that Cal-Western has a higher pass rate than UC Hastings... but you'd be hard pressed to find prospective law students who'd choose the former over the latter.</p>
<p>I knew someone would take the bait. :D</p>
<p>You need to draw a decision tree and calculate the expected values. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>IMO, choosing graduate school based on factors other than academic interest and career prospect, as an adult, is a shame. The most important thing is to figure out what you really want to do and like to do for the next 10 years. From what I can see, gaming is kind of a promising direction to go than networking. </p>
<p>Tuition?? Can 10~20K more money outweigh years of career ahead?? No. Your earning capability with a happy career should pay back that very soon.</p>
<p>Commute?? I knew a guy doing his Ph.D. commuting from Thousand Oaks to USC. I think if you want to graduate in 3 semesters as a normal student, you may have to move closer to campus. Depending on your experience and background, the course load can be overwhelming. And there are many events on campus every day, you probably don't want to miss all of them.</p>