Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$? Forum
- gossipgirl
- Posts: 261
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2009 1:25 am
Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
I definitely want to work in NYC after LS and probably in corporate law (litigation hopefully). I've visited Michigan already and was awed by the campus. At the end of the day, I am most concerned with job prospects. Considering this, do you guys think that the job prospects that Columbia offers outweighs the tuition break and COL break that I would get by attending Michigan?
I got into NYU but I'm pretty convinced that I'd prefer Columbia. I haven't received a decision from Chicago yet but considering my NYC intentions, I think Columbia would be preferable over Chicago.
So the decision is between....
Columbia- sticker
or
Michigan- 67k
I got into NYU but I'm pretty convinced that I'd prefer Columbia. I haven't received a decision from Chicago yet but considering my NYC intentions, I think Columbia would be preferable over Chicago.
So the decision is between....
Columbia- sticker
or
Michigan- 67k
- beesknees
- Posts: 458
- Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:46 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
.
Last edited by beesknees on Sun Dec 05, 2010 1:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
- kittenmittons
- Posts: 1453
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 1:24 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Assuming you end up at median, you're better off at C imo
- Notor
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 11:32 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Unless Daddy is paying, take the money at Michigan. Totally stupid to go $200k in debt for a degree that is basically the same as the Michigan degree.
-
- Posts: 1645
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:10 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Half-tuition is nothing to sneer at though.
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 1645
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:10 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
You really think this?Notor wrote:Unless Daddy is paying, take the money at Michigan. Totally stupid to go $200k in debt for a degree that is basically the same as the Michigan degree.
- kittenmittons
- Posts: 1453
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 1:24 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
I expected more from someone with an Eazy E tarNotor wrote:Unless Daddy is paying, take the money at Michigan. Totally stupid to go $200k in debt for a degree that is basically the same as the Michigan degree.
- gossipgirl
- Posts: 261
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2009 1:25 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Daddy not paying but I don't have any debt after undergrad.Notor wrote:Unless Daddy is paying, take the money at Michigan. Totally stupid to go $200k in debt for a degree that is basically the same as the Michigan degree.
- Dignan
- Posts: 1110
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2009 5:52 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
A Michigan degree might be roughly equivalent to a CLS degree for many things, but not for big law in NYC. Go to Columbia.Notor wrote:Unless Daddy is paying, take the money at Michigan. Totally stupid to go $200k in debt for a degree that is basically the same as the Michigan degree.
-
- Posts: 1645
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:10 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
CLS biglaw placement, especially elite biglaw firms, is unmatched by any other law school. Chicago comes very close, but that's it.
- Notor
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 11:32 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
If OP is of the opinion that the only acceptable use for a JD is to be a biglaw slave in New York City, then go to Columbia. Makes no sense otherwise.
Also, OP says he has no debt after undergrad, which shows that he has no personal knowledge of what debt can do to your financial situation. He should strive to not find out and take the money at Michigan. With cost of living in NYC and tuition, he is going to be absolutely crippled in debt and will have no choice other than to get a biglaw job to be able to pay off the debt, which will still take years.
If you go to Columbia, you are forcing yourself to take a job in 3 years that you have absolutely no idea if you will like out of necessity. That is not exactly comforting.
Also, OP says he has no debt after undergrad, which shows that he has no personal knowledge of what debt can do to your financial situation. He should strive to not find out and take the money at Michigan. With cost of living in NYC and tuition, he is going to be absolutely crippled in debt and will have no choice other than to get a biglaw job to be able to pay off the debt, which will still take years.
If you go to Columbia, you are forcing yourself to take a job in 3 years that you have absolutely no idea if you will like out of necessity. That is not exactly comforting.
-
- Posts: 88
- Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:47 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Are we all assuming that Columbia = biglaw job on graduation? Isn't bottom half still getting dicked at OCI?
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- Notor
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 11:32 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Also, how much free time do you think you will have while you are working 70 hour weeks at your white shoe firm? I don't understand why you want to be in NYC so badly... the inside of an office building looks the same pretty much everywhere. It sounds romantic, but I would be wary saying that you want to do corporate litigation in NYC as a 0L when you can't possibly know that.
- gossipgirl
- Posts: 261
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2009 1:25 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
You're definitely right that I have no idea if I want to do corporate litigation or some other kind of work. I do have a finance background though and so working in a transactional business will not affect me in a negative way (I have worked for an investment bank and was not scared off by the hours or the work). The specific type of law I want to work in will be determined eventually by what I like in law school, but to decide right now about where to go, I know that working in transactional affairs is definitely a route I'm strongly considering.Notor wrote:Also, how much free time do you think you will have while you are working 70 hour weeks at your white shoe firm? I don't understand why you want to be in NYC so badly... the inside of an office building looks the same pretty much everywhere. It sounds romantic, but I would be wary saying that you want to do corporate litigation in NYC as a 0L when you can't possibly know that.
NYC because of family.
-
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:49 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Columbia ONLY IF you are absolutely sure your career goals will not change.
Even if you think there is a 20% chance you will pursue something other than BigLaw, then you should think twice about it.
Even if you think there is a 20% chance you will pursue something other than BigLaw, then you should think twice about it.
- Notor
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 11:32 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Michigan is a great school and offers a much more collegiate setting than Columbia (football games, college town etc). It is also substantially cheaper and still offers excellent placement options. However, Columbia places better in NYC.gossipgirl wrote:You're definitely right that I have no idea if I want to do corporate litigation or some other kind of work. I do have a finance background though and so working in a transactional business will not affect me in a negative way (I have worked for an investment bank and was not scared off by the hours or the work). The specific type of law I want to work in will be determined eventually by what I like in law school, but to decide right now about where to go, I know that working in transactional affairs is definitely a route I'm strongly considering.Notor wrote:Also, how much free time do you think you will have while you are working 70 hour weeks at your white shoe firm? I don't understand why you want to be in NYC so badly... the inside of an office building looks the same pretty much everywhere. It sounds romantic, but I would be wary saying that you want to do corporate litigation in NYC as a 0L when you can't possibly know that.
NYC because of family.
I guess the question is whether or not a Columbia JD is worth twice as much to you as a Michigan degree. All I can say is that debt is truly horrendous, and by going to Columbia you are locking yourself into a biglaw or bust situation at a time when you are still unsure. To me, going to Michigan with some money is the much safer place to figure out exactly what type of law you want to practice.
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 1341
- Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:58 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Bear in mind that Columbia has yet to make most of its scholarship decisions. In fact, telling Columbia in late March/early April that you have a half-tuition scholarship from Michigan but that Columbia is your top choice and you'd love to attend would probably convince Columbia to give you at least a small scholarship, possibly a sizable scholarship--and you may well still get a sizable scholarship from them anyway, without bargaining.
Good luck either way. Personally, I'd choose sticker at Columbia based on your situation (including family and career goals), but Michigan is also a great school, and the lower debt is not something to pass up easily.
Good luck either way. Personally, I'd choose sticker at Columbia based on your situation (including family and career goals), but Michigan is also a great school, and the lower debt is not something to pass up easily.
- im_blue
- Posts: 3272
- Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2009 3:53 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Michigan would be 67k cheaper, not a full ride. And Columbia may well offer $ in the future.Notor wrote:Unless Daddy is paying, take the money at Michigan. Totally stupid to go $200k in debt for a degree that is basically the same as the Michigan degree.
CLS >>> Michigan for NYC biglaw
- kurla88
- Posts: 367
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:27 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Maybe this is just b/c grades just came out, but really think carefully about where you would be comfortable being at or even below median.
Of course then you have to balance how risk-averse you are re: grades vs. how risk-averse you are re: $$.
I voted for Columbia, btw.
Of course then you have to balance how risk-averse you are re: grades vs. how risk-averse you are re: $$.
I voted for Columbia, btw.
- Genki
- Posts: 246
- Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:04 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Depends on how you feel about debt.
If you are debt averse, Michigan with $ is a great opportunity that many on this board would die to be offered.
On the the other hand, Columbia is a higher financial risk. However, with higher risk comes higher possible returns.
I'm going to vote Michigan this time, but you have two great opportunities no matter which you choose.
If you are debt averse, Michigan with $ is a great opportunity that many on this board would die to be offered.
On the the other hand, Columbia is a higher financial risk. However, with higher risk comes higher possible returns.
I'm going to vote Michigan this time, but you have two great opportunities no matter which you choose.
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- jcunni5
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:51 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
Isn't NYC the easiest market to break into? Why pay extra money for Cls when um should get the job done?
-
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:10 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
I feel like people are forgetting that you will still have a massive amount of debt after graduating from Michigan. Based on what you want to do after graduation, Columbia wins easily. Also, you may still have a shot at getting money from Columbia in March/April.
-
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:13 am
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
.
Last edited by kbo026 on Wed Jun 16, 2010 10:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 81
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:33 pm
Re: Columbia sticker or Michigan w/$?
I'm in almost the exact same situation, except its Chicago vs Mich with 45k
Just talking to a Harvard 3L today and she said that bottom half of the class at Harvard had an uphill battle finding top firm jobs this year. Perhaps this information will help you make your decision.
Just talking to a Harvard 3L today and she said that bottom half of the class at Harvard had an uphill battle finding top firm jobs this year. Perhaps this information will help you make your decision.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login