Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what??? Forum
-
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:50 am
Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
Sorry for making a new thread. I was pretty much all set on UCLA. Then this happened. I'm thrilled. Don't get me wrong.
To reiterate: UCLA with 105k. (And Duke with 42k). I really want to practice in SoCal but have minimal ties. My SO is originally from CA and has family there. Still waiting on Stanford but I know I won't get in.
Can Chicago get me to CA even though my ties are not that great?
Also, if CA doesn't work out I would be okay with working in Chicago or wherever, then maybe moving after paying off a lot of my debt. But CA is just ideally where I want to practice. New York is not appealing to me at all. I am from the Chicago area and have family here.
Also, I'm not expecting to get any financial aid at Chicago, obviously.
So... Chicago at sticker or UCLA with 105k?
Chicago is just in a whole different league, so I don't know what to do. Also, I've heard that Chicago is very competitive, and I don't really like a very cutthroat atmosphere. I can deal with it, though.
Bumped and edited to add: 15k total scholarship at Chicago, 120k at UCLA
To reiterate: UCLA with 105k. (And Duke with 42k). I really want to practice in SoCal but have minimal ties. My SO is originally from CA and has family there. Still waiting on Stanford but I know I won't get in.
Can Chicago get me to CA even though my ties are not that great?
Also, if CA doesn't work out I would be okay with working in Chicago or wherever, then maybe moving after paying off a lot of my debt. But CA is just ideally where I want to practice. New York is not appealing to me at all. I am from the Chicago area and have family here.
Also, I'm not expecting to get any financial aid at Chicago, obviously.
So... Chicago at sticker or UCLA with 105k?
Chicago is just in a whole different league, so I don't know what to do. Also, I've heard that Chicago is very competitive, and I don't really like a very cutthroat atmosphere. I can deal with it, though.
Bumped and edited to add: 15k total scholarship at Chicago, 120k at UCLA
Last edited by hellothisisme on Tue May 01, 2012 4:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Doorkeeper
- Posts: 4869
- Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2012 11:25 pm
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
If you already want biglaw, go Chicago. To my knowledge, SO being from CA counts as a tie, and it can explain to a firm why you want to practice in CA.
-
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:50 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
That's good.Doorkeeper wrote:If you already want biglaw, go Chicago. To my knowledge, SO being from CA counts as a tie, and it can explain to a firm why you want to practice in CA.
I'm just wondering why there was such a drop in the percentage of graduates going to CA from Class of 08/09 to Class of 10? 17.4/16.7% to 8.4%? Is there any reason for this?
-
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:40 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
Depends on how debt averse you are, and whether you could see yourself staying in Chicago (can't count on transferring to CA if you start in Chicago biglaw). I would probly take UCLA w/close to full ride over Chicago at sticker, but it's close.
(awaits parade of Chicago trolls)
(awaits parade of Chicago trolls)
- Veyron
- Posts: 3595
- Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:50 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
Classes of 08' and 09' did OCI before the crash. All markets were hit hard but LA was nuked from space.I'm just wondering why there was such a drop in the percentage of graduates going to CA from Class of 08/09 to Class of 10
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
- Richie Tenenbaum
- Posts: 2118
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:17 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
I'm not sure what is the best answer. If you want to maximize biglaw I think Chicago is the answer, but something else to include in your thought process: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0&t=183509
Last edited by Richie Tenenbaum on Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:50 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
Oh yeah, you're right. I didn't think about the actual timing of the OCI. Whoops. Thanks.Veyron wrote:Classes of 08' and 09' did OCI before the crash. All markets were hit hard but LA was nuked from space.I'm just wondering why there was such a drop in the percentage of graduates going to CA from Class of 08/09 to Class of 10
-
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 4:41 pm
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
this. Although I don't think it's as close... UCLA for sureconcurrent fork wrote:Depends on how debt averse you are, and whether you could see yourself staying in Chicago (can't count on transferring to CA if you start in Chicago biglaw). I would probly take UCLA w/close to full ride over Chicago at sticker, but it's close.
(awaits parade of Chicago trolls)
-
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:50 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
Dear God. That thread is scary.Richie Tenenbaum wrote:I'm not sure what is the best answer. If you want to maximize biglaw I think Chicago is the answer, but something else to include in your thought process: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0&t=183509
Yeah, the prospect of giving up 105k to pay sticker somewhere else is daunting to say the least. Giving up a T5 school seems a little insane but so does 250k debt.theduffman wrote:this. Although I don't think it's as close... UCLA for sureconcurrent fork wrote:Depends on how debt averse you are, and whether you could see yourself staying in Chicago (can't count on transferring to CA if you start in Chicago biglaw). I would probly take UCLA w/close to full ride over Chicago at sticker, but it's close.
(awaits parade of Chicago trolls)
- Dany
- Posts: 11559
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:00 pm
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
It's not really a "close to full ride" at UCLA. OP will still have like $120k in debt from UCLA.concurrent fork wrote:Depends on how debt averse you are, and whether you could see yourself staying in Chicago (can't count on transferring to CA if you start in Chicago biglaw). I would probly take UCLA w/close to full ride over Chicago at sticker, but it's close.
(awaits parade of Chicago trolls)
That said, I don't like the idea of UChicago at sticker. I wouldn't attend without a scholarship. Try to negotiate for a scholarship - people got money off the waitlist last year.
And finally, UChicago isn't "very competitive" or cutthroat at all. That shouldn't even be a factor in your decision.
- Gail
- Posts: 977
- Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:11 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
105k is not close to full ride when you're out of state. It's 15k for tuition + CoL in LA.concurrent fork wrote:Depends on how debt averse you are, and whether you could see yourself staying in Chicago (can't count on transferring to CA if you start in Chicago biglaw). I would probly take UCLA w/close to full ride over Chicago at sticker, but it's close.
(awaits parade of Chicago trolls)
er... nvm. obvious point was posted before i read.
- Gail
- Posts: 977
- Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:11 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
So no school is worth the sticker price? Idk... I think Chicago would be. Maybe I'm too enamored by the idea of going to the University of Chicago.Dany wrote:It's not really a "close to full ride" at UCLA. OP will still have like $120k in debt from UCLA.concurrent fork wrote:Depends on how debt averse you are, and whether you could see yourself staying in Chicago (can't count on transferring to CA if you start in Chicago biglaw). I would probly take UCLA w/close to full ride over Chicago at sticker, but it's close.
(awaits parade of Chicago trolls)
That said, I don't like the idea of UChicago at sticker. I wouldn't attend without a scholarship. Try to negotiate for a scholarship - people got money off the waitlist last year.
And finally, UChicago isn't "very competitive" or cutthroat at all. That shouldn't even be a factor in your decision.
- Dany
- Posts: 11559
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:00 pm
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
Maybe a school with no grades or if your family is loaded and debt isn't a factor. For the average applicant, $250k in debt should be absolutely terrifying, and I don't think my school is worth it.Gail wrote:So no school is worth the sticker price? Idk... I think Chicago would be. Maybe I'm too enamored by the idea of going to the University of Chicago.Dany wrote:It's not really a "close to full ride" at UCLA. OP will still have like $120k in debt from UCLA.concurrent fork wrote:Depends on how debt averse you are, and whether you could see yourself staying in Chicago (can't count on transferring to CA if you start in Chicago biglaw). I would probly take UCLA w/close to full ride over Chicago at sticker, but it's close.
(awaits parade of Chicago trolls)
That said, I don't like the idea of UChicago at sticker. I wouldn't attend without a scholarship. Try to negotiate for a scholarship - people got money off the waitlist last year.
And finally, UChicago isn't "very competitive" or cutthroat at all. That shouldn't even be a factor in your decision.
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- romothesavior
- Posts: 14692
- Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
I agree with your first point. This is nowhere near close to a full ride. 120k in debt is a ton of debt for UCLA.Dany wrote:It's not really a "close to full ride" at UCLA. OP will still have like $120k in debt from UCLA.concurrent fork wrote:Depends on how debt averse you are, and whether you could see yourself staying in Chicago (can't count on transferring to CA if you start in Chicago biglaw). I would probly take UCLA w/close to full ride over Chicago at sticker, but it's close.
(awaits parade of Chicago trolls)
That said, I don't like the idea of UChicago at sticker. I wouldn't attend without a scholarship. Try to negotiate for a scholarship - people got money off the waitlist last year.
And finally, UChicago isn't "very competitive" or cutthroat at all. That shouldn't even be a factor in your decision.
I do think Chicago is worth sticker personally, but, I can see why people would be hesitant. It's a lotta dough.
- AntipodeanPhil
- Posts: 1352
- Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 7:02 pm
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
I voted for Chicago on the assumption that your preferences are:
SoCal biglaw > other biglaw >>> other employment.
If your preferences are:
SoCal biglaw >>> other biglaw > other employment
then UCLA.
Obviously, the good thing about Chicago is that it puts you in a much better position if you don't get SoCal biglaw.
SoCal biglaw > other biglaw >>> other employment.
If your preferences are:
SoCal biglaw >>> other biglaw > other employment
then UCLA.
Obviously, the good thing about Chicago is that it puts you in a much better position if you don't get SoCal biglaw.
- buckilaw
- Posts: 839
- Joined: Fri May 07, 2010 1:27 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
You will have a much smaller class size @ Chicago, and employers will go deeper @ Chicago. + Your gf/gf's family being from CA is a legitimate tie you can point to when asked why you want to work in CA.
I say Chicago hands down.
I say Chicago hands down.
- Gail
- Posts: 977
- Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:11 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
That's very sad for me as I always had a monster crush on Chicago. I waiver back and forth about sticker personally. Terrified of it too.Dany wrote: Maybe a school with no grades or if your family is loaded and debt isn't a factor. For the average applicant, $250k in debt should be absolutely terrifying, and I don't think my school is worth it.
I'd still pay sticker for the top 14 - Georgetown.
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:40 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
I was obviously referring to tuition only. I know I'm on TLS when 3 posters nitpick the characterization of 2/3 tuition as "close to full." I gladly amend the statement to "significantly more than half, but not quite full."Dany wrote:It's not really a "close to full ride" at UCLA. OP will still have like $120k in debt from UCLA.concurrent fork wrote:Depends on how debt averse you are, and whether you could see yourself staying in Chicago (can't count on transferring to CA if you start in Chicago biglaw). I would probly take UCLA w/close to full ride over Chicago at sticker, but it's close.
(awaits parade of Chicago trolls)
That said, I don't like the idea of UChicago at sticker. I wouldn't attend without a scholarship. Try to negotiate for a scholarship - people got money off the waitlist last year.
And finally, UChicago isn't "very competitive" or cutthroat at all. That shouldn't even be a factor in your decision.
Last edited by concurrent fork on Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:50 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
Thank you for all the input.
I would rather be employed outside of CA than unemployed in CA, if that answers any questions.
And I agree that Chicago is great for all the reasons everyone listed. My #1 reservation is the monstrous load of debt I am going to have to take on. I am having a hard time justifying turning down a 105k scholarship at the best school in my target market of SoCal to pay sticker even at the #5 school in the nation. I hope to be able to get some money out of Chicago, but I doubt I will. :/ If I don't get any... this is going to really be a tough decision that I have like five days to make.
I would rather be employed outside of CA than unemployed in CA, if that answers any questions.
And I agree that Chicago is great for all the reasons everyone listed. My #1 reservation is the monstrous load of debt I am going to have to take on. I am having a hard time justifying turning down a 105k scholarship at the best school in my target market of SoCal to pay sticker even at the #5 school in the nation. I hope to be able to get some money out of Chicago, but I doubt I will. :/ If I don't get any... this is going to really be a tough decision that I have like five days to make.
How large of a scholarship would you say is acceptable to justify attending?Dany wrote:That said, I don't like the idea of UChicago at sticker. I wouldn't attend without a scholarship. Try to negotiate for a scholarship - people got money off the waitlist last year.
- Gail
- Posts: 977
- Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:11 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
This did make me laugh. So thanks for that.concurrent fork wrote: I was obviously referring to tuition only. I know I'm on TLS when 3 posters nitpick the characterization of 2/3 tuition as "close to full." I gladly amend the statement to "significantly more than half, but not quite full."
-
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:09 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
I don't get the impression that it's particularly cutthroat from friends. I would bet UCLA, where basically only the top third of the class has a shot at BigLaw even in the law school's home city, would be more competitive.hellothisisme wrote:Also, I've heard that Chicago is very competitive, and I don't really like a very cutthroat atmosphere. I can deal with it, though.
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- snailio
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:40 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
Chicago gets So Cal deep in the class. Serious girlfriend works for ties.
-
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:50 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
I am bumping this because after discussing and negotiating with each school, UCLA increased my scholarship to 120k. Chicago is offering me 15k total (5k per year). I'm just wondering if this would change anybody's opinions. I think I know where I am leaning at this point. But if anybody has any additional insight I'd appreciate it.
- Doorkeeper
- Posts: 4869
- Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2012 11:25 pm
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
At UCLA you will have to make sure you are top third to have a chance at biglaw.hellothisisme wrote:I am bumping this because after discussing and negotiating with each school, UCLA increased my scholarship to 120k. Chicago is offering me 15k total (5k per year). I'm just wondering if this would change anybody's opinions. I think I know where I am leaning at this point. But if anybody has any additional insight I'd appreciate it.
At Chicago you are pretty close to biglaw secure so long as you don't royally bomb.
Is the difference worth 100k to you?
-
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:50 am
Re: Just accepted to Chicago off the waitlist... now what???
The thing is, I am not one of those biglaw or bust people. My parents are helping me out a little bit (about 20k total over the 3 years) with living expenses. At UCLA I don't think my debt amount would be so much that I would HAVE to get biglaw to pay it off. Whereas at Chicago, with that massive amount of debt, I would have to become a slave to the biglaw lifestyle, which is not something I'm sure I would want. Also, 100k isn't just a drop in the bucket.. at least not to me. I am pretty debt averse.Doorkeeper wrote:At UCLA you will have to make sure you are top third to have a chance at biglaw.hellothisisme wrote:I am bumping this because after discussing and negotiating with each school, UCLA increased my scholarship to 120k. Chicago is offering me 15k total (5k per year). I'm just wondering if this would change anybody's opinions. I think I know where I am leaning at this point. But if anybody has any additional insight I'd appreciate it.
At Chicago you are pretty close to biglaw secure so long as you don't royally bomb.
Is the difference worth 100k to you?
Not saying I'm 100 percent decided on UCLA at this point (though I do have to pay the deposit today). But these are things I need to think about.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login