NU vs CLS Forum

[Lucky2013]

Hello guys.
I'm facing a somewhat tough situation where I'm expecting to get some serious $$ from NU, but probably nothing from CLS.
I love both NYC & Chicago, so location isn't an issue. The only cost I am worried about is the tuition -- please disregard the difference in cost of living.
I'm interested in knowing whether CLS would *truly* give me many more career opportunities or not. Like, if I decided in 3 yrs to go to NYC and work there, would it'd be difficult coming from NU? And what about international opportunities?
(I'm generally interested in Big Law, but might want to change at some point in the future toward a more "public" career.)

Thanks!

[Bronck]

Sure, CLS will offer an advantage in big law placement (especially in the so-called elite firms), but that advantage is not worth "serious $$" at another T14 school. Go to NU.

[Doorkeeper]

Columbia has about a +15% biglaw placement. Although this certainly warrants some consideration if the COA at both schools was somewhat similar, I don't think that bump is worth "serious $$" so long as you define "serious $$" as over 75-80k in scholarship money.

In addition, although most biglaw people from Northwestern choose to stay in Chicago, a significant percentage also go to NYC (15%). I would hazard a guess that's primarily self-selection, and not grade based.