<p>Here come of the famous "quality of undergrad/where should I go?" questions, but please hear me out. I am trying to decide between Cal Poly SLO and Santa Clara for my transfer school. There are really only a couple of reasons on why I have not chosen SLO yet. Here's how I see it. Cal Poly is a good, well known, respectable college, it is about 10K cheaper than Santa Clara, and as long as I get good grades and do well on the LSAT, I should be fine getting into a good law school. But, Santa Clara is ranked higher, seems to have more focus on my major of political science (where SLO is all about business, agriculture, engineering), seems more focused on education rather than parties, and is in the middle of a large market for law firm employment (especially if I want to get into IP law or related areas). Is there any reason I should pick Santa Clara over SLO, in terms of future employment (want to go into biglaw), or in tems of getting into law school. It seems to me that as long as I do well in undergrad (and do well on LSAT) I will not have a big problem getting into law school. And, as long as I do well in law school, I will not have a very big problem of finding employment.
I know you guys are probably sick of these questions, but I want to make the best desicion and I am honestly stuck.
Thank you,
Kyle</p>
<p>The question has been answered ad nauseum</p>
<p>your major doesnt matter-so even if santa clare is better in poly sci it wont matter</p>
<p>your undergrad doesnt play a major role-I'd take the money over the ranking which isnt even that high (Law school would put you in enough debt, save yourself and your parents some money)</p>
<p>But of course you should check out both schools and choose not on reputation but on whether you feel you can spend another 2-3 years there. </p>
<p>Finally- GPA + LSAT = make or break</p>
<p>That is forget law school in terms of choosing a college. Choose whichever school is the best fit for you without considering law school prospects at all.</p>
<p>That's like saying "Forget what you need buy. Go to the store that you like to shop at the most, regardless of what you're looking for."</p>
<p>lol mradio...in a weird way, I have to concede. :D</p>
<p>But to argue, it's like being so hooked up on one item that you look past better items (with 50% off discount and 20 dollar rebate) that is more to your liking :) </p>
<p>The beauty of law school is that there are no required majors as opposed to medical school where if 3 years down the line you realize you cant stand the sight of blood, well sadly you've just used up three years where you could've been studying something more to your liking.</p>
<p>Still thinking about the future is good and you're already weighing the financial issues which is very smart. I say just look at both schools and decide which one fits you best personally and academically. </p>
<p>College is quite a committment. You would'nt marry a woman you've never met but you've heard is a great woman who is ranked 5 in the nation of women :) you should'nt do the same when it comes to your education.</p>
<p>"College is quite a committment. You would'nt marry a woman you've never met but you've heard is a great woman who is ranked 5 in the nation of women you should'nt do the same when it comes to your education."</p>
<p>...and you are speaking on behalf oh who?:D</p>
<p>santa clara has an excellent law school, so if you went there it would be better to have been there as an undergrad, and if you applied to law school somewhere else it would still look good as a reputable school to somewhere else. like you said, the area has a lot of law firms and opportunity for employment as well.</p>
<p>If I would be in your shoes:</p>
<p>I would take Santa Clara, hands down. It bears more advantages than Cal.</p>
<p>And by the way you presented both schools, your not stuck. You doubt your decision. Go Santa Clara, you even promote it in your post; leaving Cal in the dust.</p>
<p>Santa Clara has education, reputation, and location. What more could one ask for?</p>
<p>Although...I must dissent here.</p>
<p>SLO is a lot cheaper - and let's face it, the prestige difference between the two schools is not 'that' great. If you think you can get a high GPA at SLO and want to save some money, go for it.</p>
<p>whoa... the prestige difference is big. santa clara is far more respected and as far as i know, has a better academic reputation as well.</p>
<p>Poufifiedbumbum - I must dissent. How is it far more respected? I'm sure that it is better in many ways - but to justify the cost? I'm not sure.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, don't take on so much debt that it will preclude you from going to law school. As there is very little merit money or financial aid available, most people pay for law school themselves, which, by the time you start, will cost about $60,000/year for private, urban schools.</p>
<p>Just wanted to thank everyone for their opinions and help, but I am about 99% set on SLO, unless I get outstanding financial aid from Santa Clara or USC. But since that is not likely, it looks like I am heading to SLO. It is just not realistic for my family and I to spend an extra $20,000 a year to go to Santa Clara, then accumulating law school debt on top of that. And the more I hear and read, I am not really worried that my career will suffer by going to Cal Poly. I actually just got back for a trip down there to find a place to live, and can't wait.<br>
Thanks again for the input,
Kyle</p>