Top Law Schools

I have $15k per year at Emory and in-state at UNC. I don't want to practice in NC and I went to UNC for undergrad as well. I don't want a firm job so less debt of UNC is great, but outside of NC Emory has a better known name. Thoughts?

What's the difference on cost of attendance?

If you don't want to work in NC go to Emory. That being said, Emory estimates that their full CoA is $210k for 3 years, so even after a $45k scholarship, I really don't see Emory as being worth paying $165k.

UNC would be 16k a year, Emory would be 29k

alantalegalasst wrote:UNC would be 16k a year, Emory would be 29k

You're not factoring in cost of living and other fees (which I am assuming you will have to take out loans to pay for).

UNC will cost you $110k over 3 years. Emory will be $165k over three years.

I second bk. If you don't want to work in NC DO NOT go to UNC. I also don't think Emory is worth that COA unless you had a higher scholly. Do you have any other options? Would you be willing to retake/reapply?

bk187 wrote:

alantalegalasst wrote:UNC would be 16k a year, Emory would be 29k

You're not factoring in cost of living and other fees (which I am assuming you will have to take out loans to pay for).

UNC will cost you $110k over 3 years. Emory will be $165k over three years.

I just wanted to say that Emory shouldn't cost you this much money. The COA estimates are very inflated so that people can take out more money if they need to. While the people who live in nice, new one bedroom apartments right near campus who like to eat out a lot spend that much, most people don't. A friend of mine pays $275 to share a house with other grad students a few miles away from campus, and I pay $580 to share a 2br/2bath apartment that's super close. It's actually pretty cheap to live here. Emory will still cost you more than 110k though, so that is something to consider.

I would go to UNC because it will be a lot cheaper (tuition and COL) and because it has a good reputation even outside the state of NC.

forty-two wrote:I just wanted to say that Emory shouldn't cost you this much money. The COA estimates are very inflated so that people can take out more money if they need to. While the people who live in nice, new one bedroom apartments right near campus who like to eat out a lot spend that much, most people don't. A friend of mine pays $275 to share a house with other grad students a few miles away from campus, and I pay $580 to share a 2br/2bath apartment that's super close. It's actually pretty cheap to live here. Emory will still cost you more than 110k though, so that is something to consider.

This is a fair assessment and I agree that Emory's CoL estimates seem absurd. That being said, I still think one shouldn't pay much more than $100k for Emory and it is definitely going to be significantly north of that figure for OP to go there.

UNC.

CanadianWolf wrote:UNC.

+1

bk187 wrote:

forty-two wrote:I just wanted to say that Emory shouldn't cost you this much money. The COA estimates are very inflated so that people can take out more money if they need to. While the people who live in nice, new one bedroom apartments right near campus who like to eat out a lot spend that much, most people don't. A friend of mine pays $275 to share a house with other grad students a few miles away from campus, and I pay $580 to share a 2br/2bath apartment that's super close. It's actually pretty cheap to live here. Emory will still cost you more than 110k though, so that is something to consider.

This is a fair assessment and I agree that Emory's CoL estimates seem absurd. That being said, I still think one shouldn't pay much more than $100k for Emory and it is definitely going to be significantly north of that figure for OP to go there.

Oh definitely, debt is a huge deal and I'd totally understand going to UNC for less money. I just didn't want people to think it's crazy expensive to live here or anything.

Edit: OP, I'd be happy to answer questions about Emory if you have any.

alantalegalasst wrote:I don't want to practice in NC

Why are people saying UNC (even if it's the less expensive option)?

krad wrote:

alantalegalasst wrote:I don't want to practice in NC

Why are people saying UNC (even if it's the less expensive option)?

Cause people are ignoring OP's preferences.

I think retake/reapply (if possible) is the best idea here since NC isn't where OP wants to be and Emory with this kind of scholly is too rich for my blood.

bk187 wrote:

krad wrote:

alantalegalasst wrote:I don't want to practice in NC

Why are people saying UNC (even if it's the less expensive option)?

Cause people are ignoring OP's preferences.

I think retake/reapply (if possible) is the best idea here since NC isn't where OP wants to be and Emory with this kind of scholly is too rich for my blood.

UNC actually has a decent enough name down in Atlanta as well. I know several UNC law grads down here in Atlanta who are doing well. If you're not focused on big law, UNC might work out for you. If you reeeaaaalllyyy hate NC, I would recommend going to a school in the region you would like to work in (if there are any other options) or re-taking.

If you do reasonably well at UNC I could easily see you gaining employment in the Southeast. Anywhere else is going to be pretty difficult.

egirarde wrote:UNC actually has a decent enough name down in Atlanta as well. I know several UNC law grads down here in Atlanta who are doing well. If you're not focused on big law, UNC might work out for you. If you reeeaaaalllyyy hate NC, I would recommend going to a school in the region you would like to work in (if there are any other options) or re-taking.

If you do reasonably well at UNC I could easily see you gaining employment in the Southeast. Anywhere else is going to be pretty difficult.

I'm not saying it is impossible to get out of NC from UNC, but there is such a large chance that you will end up there that it doesn't make sense for somebody who absolutely does not want to work there.

I can't believe you were in Chapel Hill for four years and you don't like it. I'd still go to UNC, but it's close.

Despite U.S. News ranking, UNC has a reputation that is at least as good as Emory's. I don't know why anyone would pay tens of thousands more to go to Emory, especially since its students are having a hard time finding jobs even in Atlanta.