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Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:08 pm
by swimbrad
So... this is probably going to sound pretentious, and I apologize in advance
So - about me... I just finished my masters in accounting and am finishing up the CPA now....
Career Goals: Elite firm (V10 in my dreams/wishes) would like to practice M&A, possibly a clerkship, and an interest somewhere in the back of my mind of academia (but not serious enough to heavily influence my decision
Chicago - Liked it there, have a nice place to live, enjoy the city, fairly close to home, comfortable in the midwest and know people in the chicago-land area, major interest in the law and economics approach, not really scared by the "rigor", got $60k from them.
Harvard - ??? I mean - it's harvard, never been to boston and have 2 weeks to decide... trying to find flights now!
Thanks in advance for all your help, let me knwo if you need more info
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:09 pm
by James Bond
Go to Harvard you clown
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:10 pm
by d34d9823
If you can't figure this out then...Chicago for you, definitely Chicago.
*facepalm*
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:12 pm
by APimpNamedSlickback
James Bond wrote:Go to Harvard you clown
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:13 pm
by swimbrad
yea... this was kinda what i was figuring the answers would be (which i DO appreciate). I'm just trying to nail down some of the concrete reasons H is better (beside the obvious H is fawking amazing
)
ps - good to hear from you APNS
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:17 pm
by APimpNamedSlickback
swimbrad wrote:yea... this was kinda what i was figuring the answers would be (which i DO appreciate). I'm just trying to nail down some of the concrete reasons H is better (beside the obvious H is fawking amazing
)
ps - good to hear from you APNS
holy crap. congrats on the success bro!!!!!!1
i fully expect to be seeing you next fall. i'm currently using a phone so not in a position to really lay out an argument until perhaps later, but dude this is a no brainer.
fucking congrats again though man, this is fantastic news.
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:21 pm
by tallboone
I'm sure a lot of people pick UofC over Harvard for personal/family/love Chicago reasons, and there is nothing wrong with that. Especially if you are just planning on working in Biglaw and don't have any dreams of being a professor or ambassador to the UN. Harvard is Harvard, but Chicago is a spectacular school with great prospects. People on this board tend to underestimate the value of personal preference and happiness. When you are talking about elite schools, you should always go to the one that fits best with your career goals and personal happiness.
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:22 pm
by legends159
Why is Harvard better than Chicago? I'm not sure there really are concrete answers to that in terms of legal academics but it is better in terms of prestige.
People, including future employers and judges will think you're smarter just b/c you went to Harvard. That first impression is very important b/c everything else will be viewed through that prism.
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:25 pm
by swimbrad
Thanks for the replies so far... I appreciate it!
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:28 pm
by kmap
Echoing "go to Harvard, you clown"
Yay for last-minute waitlist admissions!
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:30 pm
by kittenmittons
IB the xo link
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:32 pm
by Rand M.
As a soon to be Chicago 1L who is usually extolling the virtues and advantages of Chicago, I vote H in this case. I don't think it's necessarily an open and shut case, but the sort of strong factors (MORE money, really strong family connections IN the city, STRONG geographic preference, etc.) that would put Chicago in a stronger position just aren't present in your case. There's just not enough working against Harvard for this to go the other way.
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:40 pm
by swimbrad
Rand M. wrote:As a soon to be Chicago 1L who is usually extolling the virtues and advantages of Chicago, I vote H in this case. I don't think it's necessarily an open and shut case, but the sort of strong factors (MORE money, really strong family connections IN the city, STRONG geographic preference, etc.) that would put Chicago in a stronger position just aren't present in your case. There's just not enough working against Harvard for this to go the other way.
I did get $60k from UChicago... not that that really matters... (i'm mean, this whole lawl school thing is what - $200k?)
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:43 pm
by Unitas
swimbrad wrote:Rand M. wrote:As a soon to be Chicago 1L who is usually extolling the virtues and advantages of Chicago, I vote H in this case. I don't think it's necessarily an open and shut case, but the sort of strong factors (MORE money, really strong family connections IN the city, STRONG geographic preference, etc.) that would put Chicago in a stronger position just aren't present in your case. There's just not enough working against Harvard for this to go the other way.
I did get $60k from UChicago... not that that really matters... (i'm mean, this whole lawl school thing is what - $200k?)
Eh, that does change it somewhat. Wait to see if Harvard offers you any assistance. But 60k should not be laughed at especially considering it will be $20k not bearing interest for 3 years, 20k not bearing interest for 2 years, and 20k not bearing interest for 1 year. So forth. Then over time that interest being compounded.
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:51 pm
by hiromoto45
legends159 wrote:Why is Harvard better than Chicago? I'm not sure there really are concrete answers to that in terms of legal academics but it is better in terms of prestige.
People, including future employers and judges will think you're smarter just b/c you went to Harvard. That first impression is very important b/c everything else will be viewed through that prism.
That doesn't hold with UChicago.
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:52 pm
by lawapps0502
depends on your interests. some people would argue that uchicago is a more 'academic' law school, with its journals occupying a place of prominence in academic and political circles. at the same time, harvards journals also tend to be politically influential. i also believe chicago is a smaller program, so it depends on what kind of community you want.
i understand your problem, harvard would be a tough school to turn down. good luck with your decision.
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 1:13 pm
by swimbrad
lawapps0502 wrote:depends on your interests. some people would argue that uchicago is a more 'academic' law school, with its journals occupying a place of prominence in academic and political circles. at the same time, harvards journals also tend to be politically influential. i also believe chicago is a smaller program, so it depends on what kind of community you want.
i understand your problem, harvard would be a tough school to turn down. good luck with your decision.
I think this is part of my problem. I am somewhat excited about the possibility of going some place sorta intense, b/c I never felt very academically challenged at my Big 12 school. I had a great time here and all, but it's definitely not a top-20 school. My graduate program was about 100 kids and I liked the smallness because it enhanced my relationships with both faculty, the admin folks and my classmates. But I've never really been a part of a huge class to the extent that I would know what that was like.
sorry for the incoherent ramblings, but I think you did a good job at identifying what's keeping UChi in the race
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 1:49 pm
by Emma.
If you could leverage your Harvard acceptance for more money at UChi I'd say it'd be a strong contender. Otherwise though I'd think it wasn't much of a contest....
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 2:10 pm
by beef wellington
kittenmittons wrote:IB the xo link
+1
anybody?
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 2:14 pm
by swimbrad
beef wellington wrote:kittenmittons wrote:IB the xo link
+1
anybody?
If it's reposted, Please let there be some paragraphing or at lest some punctuation... it's so hard to read
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 2:14 pm
by Na_Swatch
beef wellington wrote:kittenmittons wrote:IB the xo link
+1
anybody?
lol that was the 1st thing i thought of when i saw the thread title
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 2:16 pm
by beef wellington
swimbrad wrote:beef wellington wrote:kittenmittons wrote:IB the xo link
+1
anybody?
If it's reposted, Please let there be some paragraphing or at lest some punctuation... it's so hard to read
aw, it's not as much fun if OP's already seen it. go to Harvard, OP, and congrats.
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 2:24 pm
by swimbrad
beef wellington wrote:swimbrad wrote:beef wellington wrote:kittenmittons wrote:IB the xo link
+1
anybody?
If it's reposted, Please let there be some paragraphing or at lest some punctuation... it's so hard to read
aw, it's not as much fun if OP's already seen it. go to Harvard, OP, and congrats.
I mean I had to read it... it's who I was gonna be right?
Thanks for the wishes - and ps, your 'tar makes me hungry
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 2:25 pm
by mike7174
Re: Harvard v. UChicago
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 2:29 pm
by Dr. Strangelove
I think you'd do fine with Chicago but Harvard's better- so Harvard.