Good luck with finding a job. Putting down schools in the 30's range as middle-of-the-road is about as flawed a perception as you can have.
Alright guys, enough with the personal jabs...I also don't agree with the "middle of the road" designation because that phrase comes with the connotation of mediocrity, but I do agree that USC (or OSU) isn't "top tier".
Financially, why wouldn't you prefer OSU? Also, relationships don't always last. You aren't married (not saying divorces don't happen) or engaged. Medical school is stressful as is--it would be frustrating to choose USC for the SO and breakup within a year
Of course I prefer OSU financially. But that's just a single preference. I'm just trying to understand whether that single preference should outweigh everything else I prefer about USC.
You're right, relationships don't always last, but from my current perspective, picking OSU would put more strain on our relationship if she can't find a job in Columbus. You mention stress, which is certainly the overarching concern for me when I'm trying to compare these two schools (in addition to cost). I feel like USC comes with the least potential stress, outside of LA traffic...I'm watching the heavy snow in DC from my window as I type this, and although it's beautiful, warm sun and blue skies would be a godsend right now.