Bait&Switch

I realize that's how it came across. I'm just merely pointing out my observations, so PLEASE make your own decision. As Ben Stein wisely said... everyone will offer you advise on what you should do, but ultimately your opinion is the only one that matters, because its your life, and none of those people will ever have to live with any of the advise that they are giving.

I would definitely say VISIT, VISIT, VISIT. Convince your parents that it's worth the money not to go in to this decision blindly.

Is there a significant cost difference between the three? Is cost even an issue for your family?

As far as prestige goes, I would argue that all three are equal, as they are all within 7 places of one another in the U.S. News rankings. For employment, I would argue the same- except that it's all about location, location, location. Employers are much more comfortable with the familiar. Thus a USC degree in SoCal and the West Coast in general will be valuable. Notre Dame will be like this in the Mid-West and with anybody who is Catholic. UVA is a stronger name on the East Coast, and particularly in Washington (DC). For this reason, and because UVA is the oldest of the three, I would wager it will likely be the most well-received (relatively speaking) by high-caliber law schools, as the large majority of them are located in the North-East.

Tony Stark

"L.A. traffic is the worst invention in the history of my life."

BAHAHAHAH! Awesome Bait&Switch.

Yeah mean, Me too. I got accepted to both UVa and USC. Is it just me or is there a ton of Northern Virginians going to USC this year..??

IssacDelarge, I'm still torn mein! Not sure which to choose. Those high 5's will have to wait.

I'm from NoVa, for those who don't hablo.

qwilde

"The D.C. Metro costs $1.10 for most one-way fares around the city. Wow, how unbelievably expensive..."

It's trivial, but the least expensive fare is actually $1.35 (during peak times, which is practically all the time) and it can cost up to $3.25 ish --it's killing me each way everyday this summer.

mochamaven

in terms of academic rep...UVA is the clear first choice.

And if you want out of SoCal, don't be afraid to try it! You'll be able to hang out with your HS friends whenever you come back home for breaks. I was a bit nervous about moving far away from home, but I'm SO glad I did it.

sunsetsam

I need to clear somethings up, because some other posters misinterpreted mine.

When I said that the DC metro fare fees suck, I did not state it was expensive, I was trying to state HOW you can use the fare fees. For example, in NYC, you can buy a monthly fare fee at a set price and have UNLIMITED access to the metro in that month, something DC metro does NOT have. In DC, you buy a metro card, put a specif amount of money in it, and keep using the card until the money runs out and re-deposit.

The plus about DC's metro, it is VERY clean. Not only the Metro, but DC in general, is very clean. Not all of it of course, you do have the projects. But in comparison to NYC, DC is spotless.

Also, about the traffic. You can get to DC in 2 - 3 hours. But Virginia has one of the worst traffic systems. So if you hit 395 or 495 during rush hour, your going to see LA traffic in the east coast. Another note, you may get to DC in 2 hours or so, but finding a parking space and can be a LARGE pain. The best thing is go to DC in the weekends. I would prefer metro because, the parking is free in the metro garages, and the metro isn't as jam packed, unless there is a special event.

Nonetheless, these issues are common in any urban area, and really shouldn't alarm you.

And yes, it's really weird that a number of people form VA are going to USC. I thought I was the only one.

Bait&Switch

^ No way dude. DC traffic doesn't even hold a candle to L.A. traffic. During DC rush hour, cars actually move.

And my UVA med school buddy just drove up yesterday during rush hour. Took him 2 hours flat. (It's roughly 105-125 miles, depending where you're going in Northern Virgina/DC/Maryland).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The best thing is go to DC in the weekends."

As a student, that's exactly when he would be going...

Torrancecali

in terms of ranking (US news.com)
Notre Dame 19th
UVA 23rd
USC 27th

I don't see a huge difference... choose a school what ever fits you the most! and that has a better program/major for u!

qwilde

D.C. is on the weekends? It's a commuter city; everything closes on the weekends.