Columbia vs. Chicago...OH GOD PLS HELP! Forum

[jpk5372]

So, I have to accept or reject Chicago's scholarship offer by tomorrow and I've narrowed my choice down to two places: Chicago or Columbia.

I realize that both are very good schools, and I have visited both. When I think about Columbia, I feel very passionate and excited. When I think about Chicago, I think that there are good and bad things about it, and that I could survive it, while admittedly not getting stars in my eyes over it that a lot of other people do (though I do like the smaller size and the friendliness of the administrators). I'm really interested in the international programs at Columbia, which I like because they are already in place and seem very popular, but I also like that at Chicago there may be less peopel going for International pursuits allowing me to stand out a bit more, while at the same time getting a very well-rounded education.

When it comes down to it, I can rationalize going to Chicago but I get giddy thinking about Columbia. When all is said in done (loan interest and cost of living differences) Chicago will end up costing $60,000 less than Columbia. I can't figure out if that is worth the Columbia name and my personal feelings on the school and I'm panicking and running out of time.

So if anyone has some good advice, please please please throw it out there and I will love you forever!!!

[sonervous88]

seriously for 60K difference go where you want to be. i'm a firm believer in happiness.

[WhirledWorld]

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[bhan87]

Sounds like you really want to go to Columbia so I voted Columbia. 60k is a lot, but how well you do will depend very heavily on where you fit in better.

[kurla88]

When it comes down to it, I can rationalize going to Chicago but I get giddy thinking about Columbia.

I voted Columbia because of this.

But keep in mind that this giddiness might not be rational. The law school experience is more or less the same no matter where you go, especially with peer schools like this. If you're interested in international stuff, you'll find options for that wherever, the faculty and student body is going to contain some lovely people and some douchebags wherever etc.

Is this giddy feeling going to last into your first set of 1L finals? No.
Is it going to last halfway into your first semester? Maaaaybe.
Might you develop a new enthusiasm for Chicago halfway into your first semester there? Possible.
Are you always going to wonder whether the other school/60K more might have been better somehow? Probably.

Good luck.

[jpk5372]

Are you always going to wonder whether the other school/60K more might have been better somehow? Probably.

Good luck.

Thanks everyone for your posts. This is what I'm worried about. While I care about money, I'm not obsessed with it and I can live within my means no matter what my salary. I can see myself being much more concerned about "what if I had gone to X school" than "what if I had an extra 6,000k a year". Is anyone else in this boat?

[deathviaboredom]

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[thecilent]

Columbia.

[jpk5372]

Personal feelings win. Esp. when they're leaning toward one school which is in the same tier as Chicago, is giving u more money, and has a stronger prog in your field of interest. Where is the ? here?

Mostly the money aspect....

[coldshoulder]

Are you always going to wonder whether the other school/60K more might have been better somehow? Probably.

Good luck.

Thanks everyone for your posts. This is what I'm worried about. While I care about money, I'm not obsessed with it and I can live within my means no matter what my salary. I can see myself being much more concerned about "what if I had gone to X school" than "what if I had an extra 6,000k a year". Is anyone else in this boat?

^^^ This.
You can always make that $60,000 back with a Columbia education. And you'll never have to worry about the 'what if.'
You got a scholarship to the best law school in the biggest legal market in the world. Take it and don't look back.

[09042014]

60K is a fuck ton of money for a peer school. Law schools are mostly filled with the same type of people, they teach mostly the same thing, and I doubt you are going to have a significantly better time in CLS than UChi. You will regret not taking 60K when you are working, and you realize it'll take 2 years of extreme savings while working in big law to pay back 60K because your 0L boner for columbia.

Chicago is the objectively correct choice here.

[09042014]

Are you always going to wonder whether the other school/60K more might have been better somehow? Probably.

Good luck.

Thanks everyone for your posts. This is what I'm worried about. While I care about money, I'm not obsessed with it and I can live within my means no matter what my salary. I can see myself being much more concerned about "what if I had gone to X school" than "what if I had an extra 6,000k a year". Is anyone else in this boat?

^^^ This.
You can always make that $60,000 back with a Columbia education. And you'll never have to worry about the 'what if.'
You got a scholarship to the best law school in the biggest legal market in the world. Take it and don't look back.

Columbia will not make him back the 60K compared to U of C.

[jpk5372]

60K is a fuck ton of money for a peer school. Law schools are mostly filled with the same type of people, they teach mostly the same thing, and I doubt you are going to have a significantly better time in CLS than UChi. You will regret not taking 60K when you are working, and you realize it'll take 2 years of extreme savings while working in big law to pay back 60K because your 0L boner for columbia.

Chicago is the objectively correct choice here.

You make good points, but I guess I'm really nervous about Chicago because I really don't have much experience with it having only been there for ASW. I'm much more familiar with New York and thus can pretty much know I'll be happy there whereas I really don't know that with Hyde Park...

[coldshoulder]

Are you always going to wonder whether the other school/60K more might have been better somehow? Probably.

Good luck.

Thanks everyone for your posts. This is what I'm worried about. While I care about money, I'm not obsessed with it and I can live within my means no matter what my salary. I can see myself being much more concerned about "what if I had gone to X school" than "what if I had an extra 6,000k a year". Is anyone else in this boat?

^^^ This.
You can always make that $60,000 back with a Columbia education. And you'll never have to worry about the 'what if.'
You got a scholarship to the best law school in the biggest legal market in the world. Take it and don't look back.

Columbia will not make him back the 60K compared to U of C.

I'm not saying compared to U of C, I'm saying that he won't have a problem finding a job that will pay off the larger debt. Sorry if I was misleading.

[09042014]

60K is a fuck ton of money for a peer school. Law schools are mostly filled with the same type of people, they teach mostly the same thing, and I doubt you are going to have a significantly better time in CLS than UChi. You will regret not taking 60K when you are working, and you realize it'll take 2 years of extreme savings while working in big law to pay back 60K because your 0L boner for columbia.

Chicago is the objectively correct choice here.

You make good points, but I guess I'm really nervous about Chicago because I really don't have much experience with it having only been there for ASW. I'm much more familiar with New York and thus can pretty much know I'll be happy there whereas I really don't know that with Hyde Park...

You are going to end up making friends at law school even if you stay in NYC. If you like a particular neighborhood in NYC I can promise you, that you can find a comparable neighborhood in chicago. Though it might be far from Hyde Park.

Plus it's good to get out of your comfort zone.

60K for a little personal comfort is crazy.

[ebeth]

60K is a fuck ton of money for a peer school. Law schools are mostly filled with the same type of people, they teach mostly the same thing, and I doubt you are going to have a significantly better time in CLS than UChi. You will regret not taking 60K when you are working, and you realize it'll take 2 years of extreme savings while working in big law to pay back 60K because your 0L boner for columbia.

Chicago is the objectively correct choice here.

You make good points, but I guess I'm really nervous about Chicago because I really don't have much experience with it having only been there for ASW. I'm much more familiar with New York and thus can pretty much know I'll be happy there whereas I really don't know that with Hyde Park...

1) You aren't going to have all that much time in law school to enjoy your surroundings.

2) When you do have time, Chicago is a great city.

[bhan87]

60K is a fuck ton of money for a peer school. Law schools are mostly filled with the same type of people, they teach mostly the same thing, and I doubt you are going to have a significantly better time in CLS than UChi. You will regret not taking 60K when you are working, and you realize it'll take 2 years of extreme savings while working in big law to pay back 60K because your 0L boner for columbia.

Chicago is the objectively correct choice here.

You make good points, but I guess I'm really nervous about Chicago because I really don't have much experience with it having only been there for ASW. I'm much more familiar with New York and thus can pretty much know I'll be happy there whereas I really don't know that with Hyde Park...

1) You aren't going to have all that much time in law school to enjoy your surroundings.

2) When you do have time, Chicago is a great city.

Chicago is pretty awesome, but Hyde Park is terrible.

OP: Your gut is telling you'd feel better at Columbia, so go to Columbia.

[09042014]

You make good points, but I guess I'm really nervous about Chicago because I really don't have much experience with it having only been there for ASW. I'm much more familiar with New York and thus can pretty much know I'll be happy there whereas I really don't know that with Hyde Park...

1) You aren't going to have all that much time in law school to enjoy your surroundings.

2) When you do have time, Chicago is a great city.

Chicago is pretty awesome, but Hyde Park is terrible.

OP: Your gut is telling you'd feel better at Columbia, so go to Columbia.

What kind of weird bullshit trolling is this. His gut feeling isn't some universal spiritual truth. 60K is a lot of money. OP needs to suck it up.

[jpk5372]

Thanks everyone for your responses! I still don't know what I'm going to do but hearing both sides is at least calming me down a little =)

[hiddenfist]

Thanks everyone for your responses! I still don't know what I'm going to do but hearing both sides is at least calming me down a little =)

I'm making the same decision and it is killing me.

Suck it up and take the $$ vs. giddiness is tough.

[WhirledWorld]

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[dkt4]

What kind of weird bullshit trolling is this. His gut feeling isn't some universal spiritual truth. 60K is a lot of money. OP needs to suck it up.

-1

[jpk5372]

Thanks everyone for your responses! I still don't know what I'm going to do but hearing both sides is at least calming me down a little =)

I'm making the same decision and it is killing me.

Suck it up and take the $$ vs. giddiness is tough.

yeah...and maybe giddiness is the wrong word, but when i look at columbias course offerings and externship opportunities (oh god, the UN!) i just feel so passionate and excited to go an learn! and then Chicago is more like 'well this is a good school I'm sure I'll get through it. law school is law school'

[hiddenfist]

Thanks everyone for your responses! I still don't know what I'm going to do but hearing both sides is at least calming me down a little =)

I'm making the same decision and it is killing me.

Suck it up and take the $$ vs. giddiness is tough.

yeah...and maybe giddiness is the wrong word, but when i look at columbias course offerings and externship opportunities (oh god, the UN!) i just feel so passionate and excited to go an learn! and then Chicago is more like 'well this is a good school I'm sure I'll get through it. law school is law school'

Yep, and "Hyde Park isn't thaaaattt bad..."

[Sentry]

60K is a fuck ton of money for a peer school. Law schools are mostly filled with the same type of people, they teach mostly the same thing, and I doubt you are going to have a significantly better time in CLS than UChi. You will regret not taking 60K when you are working, and you realize it'll take 2 years of extreme savings while working in big law to pay back 60K because your 0L boner for columbia.

Chicago is the objectively correct choice here.

TITCR.