Right now I'm considering between these schools (waiting to hear back from Chicago and Penn but not holding my breath):
- UCLA($120,000 award, COA = ~$100,000)
- WUSTL (Full scholarship, COA = ~$60,000)
- GULC ($30,000 award, COA = ~$200,000)
- Northwestern (Presumably sticker??)
My numbers are LSAT = 168 (took twice), GPA = 3.7. Right now I'm leaning towards UCLA, but I'm getting some push back from the people I ask for advice. I'm from Rhode Island, but have even more significant ties to CA and I eventually want to work there. I have a little flexibility with money since my family is willing to contribute a portion of whatever I have to pay. For future goals, I'll probably try for Biglaw, although I would like to try for a federal judicial clerkship if feasible.
Besides the obvious issue of cost vs. prestige, I'm also wondering how valuable it is to attend a school where you're more likely to rank nearer the top of the class. E.g., is it better to be in the top 25% at UCLA than the 50th percentile or lower at Northwestern?
Thanks to anyone taking the time to read and respond.