Deciding between UC Law SF and Santa Clara
Hey everybody, I (24M) have just about 3 weeks to make my final decision between UC Law SF and Santa Clara University. Apologies in advance for the essay.
UC Law SF - $45,000 scholarship, cond. on a 2.7 GPA
Total COA - $230,000
Expected debt - $200,000 ($50,000 in private loans)
Santa Clara - $105,000 scholarship, $57,000 of which is cond. on a 3.0 GPA
Total COA - $130,000
Expected debt - $100,000 ($0 in private loans)
COA is so low because I am from San Jose, and I’m blessed enough to be able to live at home if I attended Santa Clara.
I don’t have specific big law aspirations but I am aware the outcomes at UC Law SF are significantly better than at Santa Clara. I have an interest in labor and employment law but I would not be surprised if that does not end up being my chosen field. I’d like to live in SF post-grad regardless of which school I attend. I already attempted to negotiate with UC Law and was rejected. SCU does not negotiate. Private loans would be at a ~3% fixed rate (perfect credit + co-signer).
Honestly the biggest factor in my decision right now is that I cannot imagine living at home for 3 more years. I have wanted to move out for over a year now and I adore SF. Several of my friends have moved up there and I fall in love with the city every time I come up to visit. My social life at home has grown worse and worse as more of my friends have moved away and while Santa Clara should help some in that regard, this area isn’t exactly a hotspot for young adults. Obviously, $100,000 more in loans (half in private loans) is a significant price to pay when there is a more affordable option available.
I have heard over and over again that the best choice is the one with the least debt in your ideal region. However, I feel that UC Law has enough to offer in this situation to make the decision difficult. I don’t have any existing debt, so I might just be naive about how significant that additional $100,000 in debt really is.
Do I suck it up, live at home, and go to the law school down the street from my high school? Or do I sacrifice some long term financial security for my dream city and a much better school?
Any feedback would be appreciated and I wish everyone the best of luck on their own law school journeys!
UC Law SF
Pros:
- Dream city
- Much better outcomes
- Develop SF network
- Social life
- Independence :)
- Slightly more forgiving conditional (2.7)
Cons:
- $100,000 more debt
- $50,000 of that in private loans
- Would have to use private loans to cover lost scholarship
- Independence :/
Santa Clara
Pros:
- $100,000 less debt
- $0 in private loans
- Home-cooked meals
- Comfortable transition and environment
- $48,000 of scholarship is unconditional
- Could use federal loans to cover lost scholarship
Cons:
- Significantly worse outcomes
- Social life
- Living with parent
- Not directly building SF network
- $57,000 is conditional on a slightly less forgiving 3.0
EDIT: Stats for anyone curious. 3.3high/17low/T4 softs/2 yr WE