Time for me to narrow things down (BU/UF/UMN)

[rman1201]

I haven't been accepted to Emory/Fordham yet, but those options are based on LSN data for scholarship/admissions purposes.

I'm planning to retake in June (scored 167 in November), however I'm still planning to follow through with this admissions cycle as if I'm not retaking as insurance in case I score lower/same.

Geographic Preference:
A big city. I don't really care where, I've lived in Florida all my life and I really want to get out. It's painful to do so with UF being such an attractive option due to the decent in-state placement and low cost, however I really don't want to be chained down to FL (though it wouldn't be the end of the world since all my friends/family are here). I love NYC, that's where I'd really like to eventually end up, but Boston seems great as well. I've never been to Minneapolis/St. Paul, but I don't think I would mind living there either assuming I get used to the cold.

Career Aspirations:
In this order -
Biglaw
Government
PI
Midlaw
Business/non-jd required
Small Law

Just thought I'd get TLS' take on my options before the massive slew of "Where should I go" threads start coming in around March. Thanks!

[rman1201]

Shameless bump

[BarbellDreams]

I was going to take UF until I saw your career goals. The top 3 or 4 are going to be tough from any of those schools, but BU likely gives you the best options. At sticker thats scary, but if you retake and dont do better and are unwilling to curb your interests in what you wanna do it kinda forces your hand.

[rman1201]

I was going to take UF until I saw your career goals. The top 3 or 4 are going to be tough from any of those schools, but BU likely gives you the best options. At sticker thats scary, but if you retake and dont do better and are unwilling to curb your interests in what you wanna do it kinda forces your hand.

My goals are semi-flexible, the main thing is I just don't want to end up in s-law (dui, family, foreclosure/bankruptcy mill) or unemployed in bumf*** USA.

I'm not very debt averse if it helps - so I am leaning towards BU/Fordham. I have no problems renting forever, especially if I do end up somewhere like NYC.

[BarbellDreams]

In that case I think BU is the right option here. Places well in both NYC and Boston, less debt (not sure if it matters when its that high up at that point) than Fordham and gives you more options in terms of location than Fordham. Fordham places better in NYC, but doesn't really place at all in Boston but BU places in both.

[zonto]

Are you positive you won't have aid at BU with your numbers?

[rman1201]

Are you positive you won't have aid at BU with your numbers?

I guess its possible, I just havent received anything with my admit pack. I'm still going to try for need-based if I can manage to get my mom to do her taxes before the deadline.

[showNprove]

First, you've already identified your best three options: UMN, BU, and UF. The other three come all come at a higher cost than a better option.

Second, of the three options left standing, UF is the cheapest, but by only ~$8k per year. I'd say the prospects coming out of UMN more than make up for the $8k/year.

That leaves UMN and BU. BU definitely has the biglaw edge, but $75k better? I don't know. I would suggest visiting both and making a personal decision.

[Stonewall]

I'm partial to w&m but bu is prob your best option for what you want to do... Still... 175 is a lot of cash

[rman1201]

First, you've already identified your best three options: UMN, BU, and UF. The other three come all come at a higher cost than a better option.

Second, of the three options left standing, UF is the cheapest, but by only ~$8k per year. I'd say the prospects coming out of UMN more than make up for the $8k/year.

That leaves UMN and BU. BU definitely has the biglaw edge, but $75k better? I don't know. I would suggest visiting both and making a personal decision.

That's pretty much exactly what I was going to do, planning to head up north over the next few weeks.

I'm also still waiting on Cornell, if I manage to get in then we have a pretty clear winner, but I'm not banking on an acceptance.

[Informative]

I agree with all the posters saying UMN at 75k less is a great option. You can graduate with less debt from a higher ranked school, etc. Some good points above.

[Skyhook]

BU - biggest market, city life, total change to FL.

[Informative]

^ Saturated market with BC and Harvard, not to mention non-Boston T14 students, taking a significant portion of the jobs. UMN is the best in its market, even if it is a slightly smaller market.

[rman1201]

^ Saturated market with BC and Harvard, not to mention non-Boston T14 students, taking a significant portion of the jobs. UMN is the best in its market, even if it is a slightly smaller market.

Boston really isn't known to be that saturated. NYC/Chi/DC/LA are where the majority of T14 (Harvard included) seem to go.

[Informative]

^Fail. Are you new here?

[rman1201]

^Fail. Are you new here?

what are you talking about?
http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/careers/ocs/prospective-students/employment-statistics/about-our-students.html

Boston is saturated with Harvard grads the same way New Haven is saturated with Yale grads.