FIU (full-ride) vs. UF (sticker) Forum

[flagirl305]

I've narrowed it down to these two schools but Im still having a very difficult time deciding. I got into FIU law with a full-ride and a $5000 grant and I got into UF but with no money at all. FIU COA would be between $30,000-$40,000 depending on where I live and UF would be in the neighborhood of $85,000. I know UF is the better school with a much larger alumni base but is it worth the extra debt? Id probably like to practice in either Orlando, Tallahassee, or Fort Lauderdale after graduation. No desire to really work in Miami unless Im offered some great job there.

So...UF or FIU?

[Username123]

I've narrowed it down to these two schools but Im still having a very difficult time deciding. I got into FIU law with a full-ride and a $5000 grant and I got into UF but with no money at all. FIU COA would be between $30,000-$40,000 depending on where I live and UF would be in the neighborhood of $85,000. I know UF is the better school with a much larger alumni base but is it worth the extra debt? Id probably like to practice in either Orlando, Tallahassee, or Fort Lauderdale after graduation. No desire to really work in Miami unless Im offered some great job there.

So...UF or FIU?

How is UF only 85k while paying sticker?

[Johann]

Florida.

[BrazilBandit]

I've narrowed it down to these two schools but Im still having a very difficult time deciding. I got into FIU law with a full-ride and a $5000 grant and I got into UF but with no money at all. FIU COA would be between $30,000-$40,000 depending on where I live and UF would be in the neighborhood of $85,000. I know UF is the better school with a much larger alumni base but is it worth the extra debt? Id probably like to practice in either Orlando, Tallahassee, or Fort Lauderdale after graduation. No desire to really work in Miami unless Im offered some great job there.

So...UF or FIU?

1) How would you be financing? are those COA totals or per year?
2) What kind of law do you want to practice?
3) what are your numbers and how many times did you take the LSAT?
4) K-JD or Work Experience?

[flagirl305]

I've narrowed it down to these two schools but Im still having a very difficult time deciding. I got into FIU law with a full-ride and a $5000 grant and I got into UF but with no money at all. FIU COA would be between $30,000-$40,000 depending on where I live and UF would be in the neighborhood of $85,000. I know UF is the better school with a much larger alumni base but is it worth the extra debt? Id probably like to practice in either Orlando, Tallahassee, or Fort Lauderdale after graduation. No desire to really work in Miami unless Im offered some great job there.

So...UF or FIU?

How is UF only 85k while paying sticker?[/quote]

$22k for tuition 3years = 66k plus about $15-20k for living expenses

[djbatista]

I'm in the same situation. I'm picking UF because the point of law school is to get a good job and be happy and successful. While FIU can certainly help us do this, UF is clearly the better option. The truth is life is full of payments and debts for most people anyway; it's not like choosing FIU and saving 60k would eliminate that reality. That 85k spent at UF will go much further. There are better connections, a stronger alumni network, and ultimately more high-paying job opportunities.

Edit: Even if you're looking for government work, the prospects for a good position and well paying job are much better from UF.

[flagirl305]

I've narrowed it down to these two schools but Im still having a very difficult time deciding. I got into FIU law with a full-ride and a $5000 grant and I got into UF but with no money at all. FIU COA would be between $30,000-$40,000 depending on where I live and UF would be in the neighborhood of $85,000. I know UF is the better school with a much larger alumni base but is it worth the extra debt? Id probably like to practice in either Orlando, Tallahassee, or Fort Lauderdale after graduation. No desire to really work in Miami unless Im offered some great job there.

So...UF or FIU?

1) How would you be financing? are those COA totals or per year?
2) What kind of law do you want to practice?
3) what are your numbers and how many times did you take the LSAT?
4) K-JD or Work Experience?

Those are the three year totals. If it was per year i wouldn't go at those costs. Financing through loans with some support through family. I would ideally like to do government work but not at all averse to private practice. Some connections through internships but nothing significant.

[Username123]

I've narrowed it down to these two schools but Im still having a very difficult time deciding. I got into FIU law with a full-ride and a $5000 grant and I got into UF but with no money at all. FIU COA would be between $30,000-$40,000 depending on where I live and UF would be in the neighborhood of $85,000. I know UF is the better school with a much larger alumni base but is it worth the extra debt? Id probably like to practice in either Orlando, Tallahassee, or Fort Lauderdale after graduation. No desire to really work in Miami unless Im offered some great job there.

So...UF or FIU?

How is UF only 85k while paying sticker?

$22k for tuition 3years = 66k plus about $15-20k for living expenses[/quote]

I would say UF over three years, including interest, is at least 100k. Have to include misc. expenses, health insurance, COL (which idk how you could live off 5-7k per year, but do you...)

Regardless, UF at 100k is tough. Do you know what you want to do?

[unlicensedpotato]

$15-20k for living expenses over three years?

[seizmaar]

don't go to fiu

[flagirl305]

I've narrowed it down to these two schools but Im still having a very difficult time deciding. I got into FIU law with a full-ride and a $5000 grant and I got into UF but with no money at all. FIU COA would be between $30,000-$40,000 depending on where I live and UF would be in the neighborhood of $85,000. I know UF is the better school with a much larger alumni base but is it worth the extra debt? Id probably like to practice in either Orlando, Tallahassee, or Fort Lauderdale after graduation. No desire to really work in Miami unless Im offered some great job there.

So...UF or FIU?

How is UF only 85k while paying sticker?

$22k for tuition 3years = 66k plus about $15-20k for living expenses

I would say UF over three years, including interest, is at least 100k. Have to include misc. expenses, health insurance, COL (which idk how you could live off 5-7k per year, but do you...)

Regardless, UF at 100k is tough. Do you know what you want to do?[/quote]

COL is cheap in Gainesville. I'd probably find a roomate and pay around 400-500 a month. If not, Corry and Maguire village are cheap options for on campus graduate housing. My parents would cover the misc. expenses, and I'd stay on their health care plan. I'd only be taking on loans for tuition and living. Ideally, I'd like to clerk for a judge. If I can't do that, I'd prefer govt work to private practice. Not averse to private practice tho. All in all it would probably be a 50k difference in COA. The big question is whether UF is worth the extra 50k...

[BrazilBandit]

I've narrowed it down to these two schools but Im still having a very difficult time deciding. I got into FIU law with a full-ride and a $5000 grant and I got into UF but with no money at all. FIU COA would be between $30,000-$40,000 depending on where I live and UF would be in the neighborhood of $85,000. I know UF is the better school with a much larger alumni base but is it worth the extra debt? Id probably like to practice in either Orlando, Tallahassee, or Fort Lauderdale after graduation. No desire to really work in Miami unless Im offered some great job there.

So...UF or FIU?

How is UF only 85k while paying sticker?

$22k for tuition 3years = 66k plus about $15-20k for living expenses

I would say UF over three years, including interest, is at least 100k. Have to include misc. expenses, health insurance, COL (which idk how you could live off 5-7k per year, but do you...)

Regardless, UF at 100k is tough. Do you know what you want to do?

COL is cheap in Gainesville. I'd probably find a roomate and pay around 400-500 a month. If not, Corry and Maguire village are cheap options for on campus graduate housing. My parents would cover the misc. expenses, and I'd stay on their health care plan. I'd only be taking on loans for tuition and living. Ideally, I'd like to clerk for a judge. If I can't do that, I'd prefer govt work to private practice. Not averse to private practice tho. All in all it would probably be a 50k difference in COA. The big question is whether UF is worth the extra 50k...[/quote]

What are your numbers? retaking the LSAT might make you look at 50K total, instead of extra for UF...

[Username123]

COL is cheap in Gainesville. I'd probably find a roomate and pay around 400-500 a month. If not, Corry and Maguire village are cheap options for on campus graduate housing. My parents would cover the misc. expenses, and I'd stay on their health care plan. I'd only be taking on loans for tuition and living. Ideally, I'd like to clerk for a judge. If I can't do that, I'd prefer govt work to private practice. Not averse to private practice tho. All in all it would probably be a 50k difference in COA. The big question is whether UF is worth the extra 50k...

UF is definitely worth the extra 50k when compared to FIU.

Are you K-JD? If so, you might want to consider retaking and reapplying, while getting a job and saving money. A retake could save you about 100k by getting a full ride to UF and/or getting you into better schools with money.

[flagirl305]

$15-20k for living expenses over three years?

I would say the average monthly payment on an apartment with a roommate would be 400-500. 500x36=18,000. I could probably find something cheaper if I found a room in a house or a room in a 4b/4ba apartment. The 400-500 is assuming I have one roommate. If i don't have a roommate, i'd just live on campus for around 500 a month.

[flagirl305]

How is UF only 85k while paying sticker?

$22k for tuition 3years = 66k plus about $15-20k for living expenses[/quote]

I would say UF over three years, including interest, is at least 100k. Have to include misc. expenses, health insurance, COL (which idk how you could live off 5-7k per year, but do you...)

Regardless, UF at 100k is tough. Do you know what you want to do?[/quote]

COL is cheap in Gainesville. I'd probably find a roomate and pay around 400-500 a month. If not, Corry and Maguire village are cheap options for on campus graduate housing. My parents would cover the misc. expenses, and I'd stay on their health care plan. I'd only be taking on loans for tuition and living. Ideally, I'd like to clerk for a judge. If I can't do that, I'd prefer govt work to private practice. Not averse to private practice tho. All in all it would probably be a 50k difference in COA. The big question is whether UF is worth the extra 50k...[/quote]

UF is definitely worth the extra 50k when compared to FIU.

Are you K-JD? If so, you might want to consider retaking and reapplying, while getting a job and saving money. A retake could save you about 100k by getting a full ride to UF and/or getting you into better schools with money.[/quote]

I am, but taking a year off isn't an option. I would like to retake the LSAT and I know thats TCR but I am not in a position to do so.

[Username123]

I am, but taking a year off isn't an option. I would like to retake the LSAT and I know thats TCR but I am not in a position to do so.

Everyone can take a year (or preferably more) off. Why not?

[flagirl305]

I am, but taking a year off isn't an option. I would like to retake the LSAT and I know thats TCR but I am not in a position to do so.

Everyone can take a year (or preferably more) off. Why not?

PMed