Michigan ($$) vs. USC ($$$$) Forum

[Nmsx8]

I'm having a tough time choosing between Michigan and USC. I received 20k/yr from Michigan and 45k/yr from USC. I know Michigan is in the T14 while USC is not, but as of now, I want to try and look past that and focus on a few other factors. In terms of COL, I'm receiving no help at all from family, magic money trees, etc., so I'll be taking out loans for that.

I honestly don't know what I want to go into, however I'm fairly certain that I do not want to go into the public sector. I'm not quite sure if I want to go into Biglaw - it's not my "dream," but I wouldn't be opposed to it either. I am interested in possibly working in Entertainment/Sports, but again, not set in stone. I'd like to end up in NYC, but that does not mean that I'm dead set on having my first job out of law school in NY (though it would be very convenient).

I know that if I go to Michigan, I will have much better opportunities in terms of Biglaw, but my largest concern is being "chained to a job" that I do not necessarily like only to pay off the debt that I incurred at Michigan. (On the other hand, I could actually like my job and not mind it). I know that I could "tough it out" for 5 years to pay off loans and then do what I really aspire to do, but I honestly don't want to hate my life for 5 years and a career change is easier said than done.

USC's location obviously ups the convenience factor when it comes to networking in the entertainment market. Additionally, if I went to USC, I would have a little more freedom in terms of choosing a path that isn't dicated by my level of debt. However, I'm a little concerned of putting all of my eggs in the LA basket. USC does have OCIs in NY, so I would be exposed to opportunities on the east coast. Apparently USC is desperate to get their eastern employment rates up, so I think they may actually help out a solid amount - but how will I stack up next to candidates from T14s?

I've visited both campuses and loved both. I was definitely happier on USC's campus than Michigan's, and sunshine is pretty important to me...though not more important than finding a great job that pays 100k+.

Additionally, I think I can negotiate with USC to give me a few more perks.

So do I go to Michigan, where my debt will be pretty intense, but I'll have a solid chance of obtaining a job in Biglaw (which may be a good or bad thing), but will have probably wasted a ton of money if I choose to go into entertainment. Or do I go to USC, where I my debt will be low, but I'll have a tougher time going against candidates from T14 schools?

[TheodoreKGB]

.

[Nomo]

You've provided some useful information, but I think we need to know a lot more in order to help you with this question.

Where do you want to work?

Where do you have ties?

Do you have any idea what practice area you want to work in?

What is your debt at repayment going to be from each school (this includes tuition increases, loan origination fees, and interest that grows while you're in school)? We have calculators that can help with this.

[Nmsx8]

Ultimately, I'd like to end up in NY as I have most family there, but I wouldn't be opposed to starting out somewhere else and eventually transferring.

If I could work in house in LA in the entertainment/sports field and eventually transfer to NY, that would be ideal. I am also aware of how competitive this market is.

[LawsRUs]

Hey. So I wouldn't come to SC wanting NYC. Also, ent/sports is really hard to break into w/o pre-existing connections.

Apples and oranges question. Cornell?

[Nomo]

Well . . . I don't think you should go to USC with the goal of ending up back in New York. The easiest way to get New York is to get it right after law school. And your odds of doing that out of USC aren't that great. If you spend your first few years in California you're going to start developing a network there and its going to be harder to leave.

You haven't given us debt figures for Michigan. But I'm guessing that you're looking at least 200k debt at graduation. That's way too much for someone who is worried about being stuck in a job they don't like. (You should have real concerns about not even being able to get the job you don't like - biglaw - but if you do get it you need to stick it out for a while).

So I think the conclusion here is that you shouldn't take either of these options. Don't go to law school right now. If Michigan was charging a reasonable price it would be a great option for you. But these days nobody is charging a reasonable price. The system is broken. Law school just doesn't make sense for a lot of people, even people would make good lawyers.

[Nmsx8]

Hey. So I wouldn't come to SC wanting NYC. Also, ent/sports is really hard to break into w/o pre-existing connections.

Apples and oranges question. Cornell?

That's true - I'm just thinking I'll have a better chance of networking and making connections while at USC.

I got 40k/yr to Cornell, and I know that's a direct pipeline to NYC, but I honestly don't think I can do Ithaca. I think I would go insane before going through the 3 years.

[kingpin101]

You're making quite the mistake if you choose Michigan or USC over Cornell at those prices.

[jrthor10]

If you got 40k a year at Cornell, have you told Michigan that yet? They might negotiate, although 20k a year is at the top-end of what they usually do minus Darrow.

[CanadianWolf]

If the choice is between Michigan with 20k & USC with 45k, then the clear choice is Cornell with 40k since you want NYC.

[Nmsx8]

If you got 40k a year at Cornell, have you told Michigan that yet? They might negotiate, although 20k a year is at the top-end of what they usually do minus Darrow.

I'm planning on negotiating with both Michigan and USC with that information. Additionally, I'm still waiting to hear from Duke and GULC regarding scholarship information, though I doubt I'll receive anything from Duke and I honestly wasnt impressed by GULC when I visited.

[Winston1984]

You should go to Cornell. But if you were going to pick between Michigan and USC, I would take Michigan. Definitely try negotiating with Michigan though.

[starry eyed]

michigan, no question

[BigZuck]

Cornell here is the no brainiest no brainer who has ever never brained

Go to Cornell

Seriously

GO

TO

CORN

ELL

[BigZuck]

20k a year is at the top-end of what they usually do minus Darrow.

lol

mich never not gonna mich

They need to get it together and start matching peer schools like Duke and Cornell. I would get on Northwestern's case as well but at least they hand out 150K like candy.

[Nmsx8]

20k a year is at the top-end of what they usually do minus Darrow.

lol

mich never not gonna mich

They need to get it together and start matching peer schools like Duke and Cornell. I would get on Northwestern's case as well but at least they hand out 150K like candy.

I was waitlisted at Northwestern (as well as UCLA)

[christraeger150]

If you got 40k a year at Cornell, have you told Michigan that yet? They might negotiate, although 20k a year is at the top-end of what they usually do minus Darrow.

Incredibly false. Check LSN. Lots of people have reported getting 35k and 40k a year (although Michigan doesn''t negotiate so its a moot point.)

[Yea All Right]

What are your reasons for thinking Ithaca would make you go insane? From California, currently at Cornell, the weather wasn't that unbearable.

Don't go to USC if you want to be in NYC.

[KMart]

Cornell. Would you rather deal with Ithaca, not be in NYC, or be chained to a job you don't like?

[Mack.Hambleton]

If you got 40k a year at Cornell, have you told Michigan that yet? They might negotiate, although 20k a year is at the top-end of what they usually do minus Darrow.

Wut no. Tons of people get 75k/90k/120k

[Mack.Hambleton]

Also Michigan DOES negotiate

[Nmsx8]

Update post-negotiations (using 120k from Cornell):

Michigan upped their scholarship from 60k to 90k, and USC upped theirs from 135K to 144k. I've been doing a lot of thinking and researching, and I'm really leaning towards Michigan, but the price tag is still hefty, especially considering how expensive 1L on-campus housing is. Any recommendations with how to negotiate further? They did already increase the award by 10k/year and I don't want to seem ungrateful for that, but it would obviously be ideal to make these 3 years more affordable.

I understand that some law schools negotiate things other than scholarships, like "free" on-campus housing (which I highly doubt Michigan would do), guaranteed first year summer firm job, etc...I just don't know what the "etc." is.

Anyone have any experience counter-offering with Michigan? Or just any recommendations in general?

FWIW I've gotten $45k from Duke in the time-being, but I doubt that little would be worth much to Michigan.

[anyriotgirl]

where do you want to work OP? what kind of work do you want to do? what is your lsat/gpa?

[Nmsx8]

where do you want to work OP? what kind of work do you want to do? what is your lsat/gpa?

Not set on anything yet - more focusing on finalizing scholarships right now. 25%<LSAT<50% and GPA>75% for Michigan.

[anyriotgirl]

are you coming straight through from undergrad?