NYU vs OSU vs Fordham Forum

[sticksidehigh1234]

I have a tough decision to make and would love some input. I'm not sure exactly what type of law I want to do. Definitely considering big law but not 100% sure. I currently have it down to three options.

1) Ohio State (full scholarship - In State)
2) Fordham ($35K scholarship)
3) NYU Waitlist (probably wouldn't get any scholarship, financed partially by loans, partially by family)


Thoughts? Thanks!

[somethingElse]

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 1&t=206299

[16to19]

quick trigger finger.

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 1&t=206299

[sticksidehigh1234]

I'll also ask for input if it's just OSU vs. Fordham

[Mikey]

quick trigger finger.

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 1&t=206299

[Slytherpuff]

Where do you want to work after graduation? If you want to stay in Ohio, you could do OSU, but other than that NYU is probably your only good option here (for big law or otherwise). It's a lot of debt to take on but your career opportunities will be better coming out of NYU.

[sticksidehigh1234]

Probably not Ohio immediately. Open to NYC, Chicago, DC.

[Slytherpuff]

NYU would make the most sense for those markets (although OSU does place some people in IL according to their LST report). I would say to only do OSU if you want to work in Ohio, and otherwise choose NYU. Just to clarify - are you still on the waitlist for NYU, or did you just get offered a spot?

As a side note, be cautious before taking out a lot of debt to attend law school (or taking a full ride at a school where you can't get the kind of job you want). Make sure you really want to be a lawyer before you make this kind of investment. Your best option to pay off your loans for NYU would be big law, which is very obtainable here, but there's no guarantee that you'll last long enough in big law to pay off those loans. Maybe check out some of the other "choosing" threads in here to see more words of caution from attorneys regarding taking out sticker (or close to sticker) for law school.

Edit: if you aren't in at NYU and don't get off the waitlist, go ahead with OSU but expect to stay in-state. Fordham wouldn't be a good idea.

[sticksidehigh1234]

To clarify, I'm on the NYU waitlist.

[ColoBoul]

Probably not Ohio immediately. Open to NYC, Chicago, DC.

If you want those markets I'd wait on NYU. OSU can be a good option for less prestigious goals and low debt. To get looks in those markets you'll have to be in the top 10%. Of the people I know who went to those markets all but one were in the top 10% or top 5%. If you're looking at Ohio regional biglaw you'll get interviews in the top 25% maybe top 1/3 if you have some special work experience, IP to bring to the table. Moritz also has a unique program for URMs in their first summer employment search. Most Columbus biglaw and some mid law firms participate in the diversity summer associate program for 1L summer employment. In this context diversity is used in its most liberal sense, if you're not a straight white male or female you qualify. The firms pay market rates for the summer as they would pay their traditional 2L summers. Grades do come into play for offers back, but if you're what is described as an URM for admissions purposes and in the top 50% or so you have a good chance. Hope this can help.

[Rigo]

Is the Fordham scholly $35k/yr or $35k total?

[Loney M. Setnick]

Maybe I'm reading too much into your post, but it seems to me as if you're counting on getting off the NYU waitlist. Overall, there's been very little waitlist movement (if any) at the T10 this year. Not to be negative, but even if there is, it doesn't guarantee that you'll be the one to get off. I would either go to OSU or make my application stronger and re-apply next year to NYU.

[sticksidehigh1234]

Is the Fordham scholly $35k/yr or $35k total?

$35K/year