<p>Actually LawMom the impression I get is that they are accepting transfers for two reasons</p>
<p>1) Transfers pay tuition
2) it reduces our freshman admission rates</p>
<p>AKA “gaming the system”</p>
<p>PS: I do not know how ranking works on the US News WR and other ranking sites. But I definitely didn’t do research into USC’s professors as compared to others when I applied. I just looked at the numerical rank. Moreover, most people pretty much believe that among top universities professors are all similar. Whether this is true or not, I don’t know, but among people I’ve conversed with, most people have doubts that professors at Harvard are significantly better than those at USC, whether it’s true or not. Moreover, people I’ve conversed with also agree that having more amazing professors would not help the reputation much. I didn’t do a real survey, this is just through small talk. But it’s the general trend. And I stand by my opinion that better applicants = better students = better school. So I’d say that trying to get star studded professors is probably a good goal, but not a huge priority.</p>
<p>I’d also say that Wash U St Louis does not have the location or reputation for amazing undergrad experience that USC does. I got into Wash U St Louis and opted not to go because USC is so much cooler. I think that’s holding Wash U SL down more than anything else… Do note that students, or at least I, hold other factors than just rank and quality of professors/program into account. So USC has that advantage!</p>