24 HOURS TO DECISION: CLS 47K, NYU 75K, Chicago 75K Forum

[jitsrenzo]

I have not visited Chicago, but I do know NY. Just from what I hear, Chicago seems to be the magical land of a big city, plenty of biglaw opps, LOW taxes, lower rent, and in general lower COL. Obviously I can go to school in either place and practice at the other after graduation.

The problem is that I do not have personal experience with Chicago at ALL.

I think it's funny that Chicago/NYU used to be far ahead, but now it's almost all 33%

[NayBoer]

I voted for Chicago, basically because I figure CC > N and the money is better.

Maybe this was already answered, but why is this poll not asking about H or S? Is it really possible to get half or 3/4 scholarship at all of CCN without getting into H or S?

[toaster2]

.

[andreea7]

I voted for CLS. Any of these schools will open doors for you, but CLS seems to be in a league of its own. Their alumni and professors are impressive and being in that kind of environment can only fuel your ambition. That's my take on it. I almost didn't vote at all and didn't say anything because I know how tough these decisions are and someone you don't know shouldn't say one way or the other. But hey, you asked. Enjoy whichever school you choose.

[iminlstrick]

Unrelated question, but OP, when did you receive your financial aid decision from CLS? And your match offer from Chicago? I've applied for both and haven't received either? Thank you!

[jitsrenzo]

PMed you, strick.

[englawyer]

I have not visited Chicago, but I do know NY. Just from what I hear, Chicago seems to be the magical land of [strike]a big city, plenty of biglaw opps, LOW taxes, lower rent, and in general lower COL[/strike] frigid weather. Obviously I can go to school in either place and practice at the other after graduation.

The problem is that I do not have personal experience with Chicago at ALL.

I think it's funny that Chicago/NYU used to be far ahead, but now it's almost all 33%

ftfy

[hannibalhamlin61]

I voted for NYU, just because it was the under-dog in the poll. Truthfully, I couldn't care less about where you go to law school, but sure GO NYU!!!

[fortissimo]

Chicago.

CLS should be left out of this discussion since it's at least ~30k more expensive given tuition costs.

[Renzo]

I have not visited Chicago, but I do know NY. Just from what I hear, Chicago seems to be the magical land of a big city, plenty of biglaw opps, LOW taxes, lower rent, and in general lower COL. Obviously I can go to school in either place and practice at the other after graduation.

The problem is that I do not have personal experience with Chicago at ALL.

I think it's funny that Chicago/NYU used to be far ahead, but now it's almost all 33%

Chicago is hatefully cold in the winter. I mean like bone-breaking, freeze your soul cold. It's also the most segregated big city I've ever spent time in, and the machine politics are out of control. But there is a lot going on there, and it's a pretty incredible city 7 months in out of the year. If they had built it someplace habitable, I would have had a much harder time picking NYU over UChi.

[badfish]

Chicago places better in firms/clerkships/academia.

The differences aren't large but they are there.

With that said, I chose NYU over Chicago but I'm hoping to break into PI after graduation.

Also, this isn't to say that I don't love NYU, I do. I think that I would have been miserable @ U of C, which makes all of the difference IMO.

[DallasCowboy]

Go to Chicago. The winter= Exams, winter break when you can flee, and a couple cold months in the spring that are pretty cold everywhere else.

[hugoboss]

where did you choose?

[Renzo]

where did you choose?

[Dignan]

I have not visited Chicago, but I do know NY. Just from what I hear, Chicago seems to be the magical land of a big city, plenty of biglaw opps, LOW taxes, lower rent, and in general lower COL. Obviously I can go to school in either place and practice at the other after graduation.

It might be too late now, but I strongly suggest against picking U of C without having first visited Hyde Park. It's not for everyone. I had been to Chicago before, but I had not visited Hyde Park until two weeks ago.

Everyone is different, and some people like Hyde Park, but I would pick CLS over Chicago even with a significant COA difference. It took a visit for me to realize this.

[creamedcats]

where did you choose?

[jitsrenzo]

Still welcoming input. PM with any questions.

[kittenmittons]

Heres a link to a neat little table that compares rep. scores over the last few years.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =5&t=83424

There are tons of threads on TLS dealing with all of these choices. Even Badfish, who is an NYU student, said that for biglaw Chicago is probably the right choice in this situation.

I am an NYU student headed to biglaw (hopefully) who chose my school over UChi. But as I said above, I much prefer NYC to Chicago. If I were the OP, that would be my primary decision criteria: NYC or Chicago. It's hard to really imagine anyone that would have complete and utter ambivalence between those cities, climates, etc.

TITCR