Hi Amanda! I am actually deciding between those two schools myself and having such a hard time with my decision. Personally, I am interested in pursuing a PhD down the road which is making me lean towards Penn as well as just trying living out of state for a few years (im from CA) and like Penn's program enough. Although when speaking to Penn, they shared that MSW students don't typically work on research with professors because that is saved for PhD and doctoral students. But USC is a great program from what I have heard from the people I have spoken with. And has great connections in Los Angeles, and probably elsewhere too.