I think the main problem is whether you want to get a job during OCR or just go through the regular channel. If you want to get a job during OCR, you'll only be competing with your classmates but your employer pool is limited to firms that send recruiters to do interviews. For example, if you go to USC, chances are that all the firms doing recruiting on campus are from LA or the southern portion of California. Likewise for UVA, where firms are from Virginia or DC. If you go to UVA and like to move back to NY, you can do it but you'll probably have to work in the DC areas for the first couple of years and then try to transfer office. I don't know the current job placements at the schools you mention, but the best way to get information is to ask admissions people and career services people at that school. Send them an email or wait until they interview you, then you should ask them about job placements and where do these placements occur. The only job placements I can get a hold of is UNC's at http://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/assets ... s-2010.pdf. The vast majority, 79% found jobs in the southeast while only 17% found jobs in the northeast. You can make it back to NY but the probability is you'll remain in the southeast for a few years anyway. Have you know for sure what schools accept you or will interview you?

Apply to all the schools that interested you and then decide for yourself what school is the best option for you base on your criteria once you receive decisions.

I think the logical fallacy here is that better students go to USC since it's ranked higher than Baruch, firms want to recruit the best students, therefore, firms recruit at USC rather than Baruch. What doesn't get taken into account is that the Big 4 is made up of a bunch of local offices and there isn't a well-defined head office. Why would a NY Big 4 office spend all the money to fly recruiters to LA and pay for USC students to visit its NY office when they can just drive to Baruch and pick up a few students? Are USC students so much better and worthier of the money than Baruch students? You make your own choice here. Again, the best way to go is to email or call admissions and career services people and most definitely talk to current students who have gone through recruiting at that school. Don't be afraid to reach out or call people. You have nothing to lose but a lot of information to gain.