Please help me decide? UIUC v. UNC v. FSU v. ....

[GatorGirl89]

So I am having a hard time deciding where I should go and with deposit deadlines looming I would love some advice. I am still waiting on some scholarship info which could affect things. This will help me get an idea of where to visit and focus my research on.

Goals: not positive what I want, not big-law and not small firm but something in the middle. I have interned at the SAO and could be interested in that as a career path or PI in general. Overall I am mostly concerned with my job prospects and being able to handle the debt load.

Location: I am from florida and would like to have the option of returning. Realistically I think I could be happy in any number of places but would like to be closer to my family rather then farther.

Schools and money so far:
UIUC (45k no stipulations)
UNC (sticker for now)
Wake (sticker for now)
Cardozo (90k w/ stipulations)
FSU (sticker in-state)
Miami (sticker for now)
Chicago Kent (full tuition scholarship no stipulations)
Depaul (60k w/ stipulations)
Wayne State (75% scholarship w/ stipulations)

I made a poll with the options I am leaning towards. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!!!

[KingRajesh]

UofI is easily the best school with the best job prospects out of that bunch.

[CanadianWolf]

Illinois & UNC (if you get some scholarship money) are great options. Nevertheless, I voted for FSU because being close to your family is important to you and much of the scholarship money would be eaten up by travel expenses by you & your family.

[TyrodTaylor]

If you were a NC resident, UNC would be a good bet

[mez06]

The good think about UNC is that SOME FL offices do recruit there. And the UNC name does hold weight throughout the south. You'd essentially be opening yourself up to the NC and FL markets if you go to UNC.

FWIW, I am deciding between those same three schools (UIUC, Wake and UNC). Did you visit Wake? I wasn't all too impressed w/the facilities but the employment stats from the NJ suggest they are a bit better than UNC. That of course isn't considering the UNC students who don't want "biglaw".

I def. wouldn't go to FSU. Job prospects are just not the greatest in FL. Miami will take the SoFL jobs and then comes UF.

I'm visiting UIUC in april and I have a feeling that visiting the school will blow you away from all that I have heard and read.

[dabbadon8]

I am interested in this as well, my gf is deciding between similar options....(bump)

[ndirish2010]

If you have enough ties to Florida, you MAY be able to bring UIUC down there. It is the best school on your list so I would go there. UNC would be my second option.