UPenn vs. Columbia PLEASE HELP Forum

[vanwinkle]

IF you're leaning DOJ Honors like I am

[drummerboy]

Thank goodness we at least have these great choices.

[Non-Chalant1]

IF you're leaning DOJ Honors like I am

It's impossible believe me I know. I said that because of what the OP said...re-read. From the URM thread you should know what I believe about all that if you follow. Actually nevermind...I swear I just that read that...maybe they edited it out. I wouldn't say it otherwise. Edit again: They did say that.

[vanwinkle]

I SENTENCE THEE TO PURGATORY!

Er, I mean, you should go to Cornell. Totes.

Never thought I'd write that, but in these circumstances...

Even if the eyes are on PI?

For the vast majority of PI, significantly less debt trumps higher ranking. That's not always true, but I'm not seeing a disadvantage to Cornell here.

[FlanAl]

last i checked Penn's lrap didn't look as hot as columbia's (or gtowns for that matter). With no biglaw interest I'd definitely make this between the tiny debt at cornell and the potential never paying loans with columbia's lrap

[drummerboy]

BK187, thanks for your input. It would seem that choosing a school in the area you wish to practice, in my case, the SE, especially if biglaw/ PI/LRAP dont materialize, with $$ is a better choice than carrying the burden of the CLS debt simply for the prestige of the name. Question: why do you say Vandy blows Emory out of the Water?

[r6_philly]

BK187, thanks for your input. It would seem that choosing a school in the area you wish to practice, in my case, the SE, especially if biglaw/ PI/LRAP dont materialize, with $$ is a better choice than carrying the burden of the CLS debt simply for the prestige of the name. Question: why do you say Vandy blows Emory out of the Water?

I personally believe, when biglaw/PI/LRAP doesn't materialize and you end up with no job through the school, the prestige is going to help you more than ever (when you are mass mailing resumes and trying to get a job on your own).

[Non-Chalant1]

BK187, thanks for your input. It would seem that choosing a school in the area you wish to practice, in my case, the SE, especially if biglaw/ PI/LRAP dont materialize, with $$ is a better choice than carrying the burden of the CLS debt simply for the prestige of the name. Question: why do you say Vandy blows Emory out of the Water?

Places better in basically everything.

[bk1]

BK187, thanks for your input. It would seem that choosing a school in the area you wish to practice, in my case, the SE, especially if biglaw/ PI/LRAP dont materialize, with $$ is a better choice than carrying the burden of the CLS debt simply for the prestige of the name. Question: why do you say Vandy blows Emory out of the Water?

Places better in basically everything.

Pretty much this.

Vandy has upwards of 40-50%ish biglaw/Article III placement (which is slightly below the lower T14 and on par with USC/UCLA/UT) and people use those positions as a metric for employment prospects because they are roughly the most sought after and prestigious jobs. Emory has more like 20%ish placement in those areas (on par with schools like WUSTL/Illinois/W&M/etc).

Also, Vandy is well regarded throughout the south (though its primary markets are TN and NYC) so if you have ties to a southern market then you will likely have a better shot at prestigious employment in that market from Vandy than you would from Emory (which is regarded less highly and has less reach).

[delusional]

I weighed a similar question, and I essentially ruled out Columbia, although I'm still contemplating Penn and another school. Penn seems to have employment numbers that approach Columbia's and the debt at CLS is going to be immense. Unless you are the one guy in the history of Columbia to care about PI, it will be tough to handle that debt even with a biglaw salary - that was the dealbreaker for me. I can't see why someone would plan for debt that would be difficult in the best-case scenario.

[drummerboy]

thanks

[sonervous88]

thanks guys! i'm going to take a better look at columbia's lrap program. i really appreciate all of your input. i think the debt at columbia will just ruin the next few years for me. but we'll see. please let me know if you have any other advice. this has been very helpful!

[Non-Chalant1]

I weighed a similar question, and I essentially ruled out Columbia, although I'm still contemplating Penn and another school. Penn seems to have employment numbers that approach Columbia's and the debt at CLS is going to be immense. Unless you are the one guy in the history of Columbia to care about PI, it will be tough to handle that debt even with a biglaw salary - that was the dealbreaker for me. I can't see why someone would plan for debt that would be difficult in the best-case scenario.

A lot of us are interested in PI actually.

[delusional]

I weighed a similar question, and I essentially ruled out Columbia, although I'm still contemplating Penn and another school. Penn seems to have employment numbers that approach Columbia's and the debt at CLS is going to be immense. Unless you are the one guy in the history of Columbia to care about PI, it will be tough to handle that debt even with a biglaw salary - that was the dealbreaker for me. I can't see why someone would plan for debt that would be difficult in the best-case scenario.

A lot of us are interested in PI actually.

Well, apparently most people at Columbia end up resisting the urge.

[Non-Chalant1]

I weighed a similar question, and I essentially ruled out Columbia, although I'm still contemplating Penn and another school. Penn seems to have employment numbers that approach Columbia's and the debt at CLS is going to be immense. Unless you are the one guy in the history of Columbia to care about PI, it will be tough to handle that debt even with a biglaw salary - that was the dealbreaker for me. I can't see why someone would plan for debt that would be difficult in the best-case scenario.

A lot of us are interested in PI actually.

Well, apparently most people at Columbia end up resisting the urge.

Like at every other law school?

[writingbuff]

This thread is relevant to my interests. I had a similar choice myself. Actually, pretty much identical.

I decided on UPenn. One major factor in my decision came from talking with recent law school grads. They all emphasized the FREEDOM that comes with little/no debt. I have a friend who has been mentoring me through the law admissions process. He's a HYS grad and has been doing PI since graduating. He took out massive debt and has been using his school's LRAP. But recently he has been contemplating a career change, but can't look at many jobs he is interested in (legal journalism, legal writing instructor, etc) because he would no longer qualify for LRAP if he took those jobs. He says the restriction on his choices really sucks. His is just one example but it's really been influential for me.

So my thought is before relying too much on LRAP, be REALLY sure you're going to be OK doing qualifying work for as long as necessary.