Yet Another CCN Topic Forum

[capt_slow]

Cooley, HTH

[Pulsar]

If you want Columbia, just go to Columbia, as long as they give you comparable aid to NYU - it's a steal at $80K debt. You're in a fortunate position to have so much cash on hand for this.

I'm sorry I haven't responded to your PM in depth yet, it's finals time but Ill get around to it tonight. Suzanne Goldberg is a gem though and would be a perfect mentor for your interests. She was my Civ Pro prof and it was my best class first semester.

You may be pleasantly surprised by your CLS grant. And if your relationship means anything to you then it's easily worth staying nearby.

Yes, the fact that OP has the ability to drop $200k cash on this obviously makes a $300k degree a steal.

FFS.

Yea, I mean, I said that. I pointed out OP was in a fortunate position. It's still a remarkably good outcome. In fact, better than mine when I was choosing between law schools ceteris paribus - before I knew I could count on the summers of SA earnings, I was looking at $140,000 debt at graduation; and yea if my parents could have helped me/could help me now it would be a lot less, but it is what it is. Remind me, what was the point of your post.

The fact that one can more easily pay for something does not suddenly mean that the cost is less, or that one should ignore that cost.

[smaug_]

Have you spoken to admissions at CLS about your deadlines/aid package? I get the impression that they can't do everything (the admissions folks being more flexible/available than the people who actually do the aid stuff) but they might be able to help you out if you call them on Monday and express your concerns. (i.e. "I want to come to Columbia but am worried about leaving money at NYU/Chicago on the table.")

Regarding the importance of JGL/the Gender and Sexuality Clinic, I think they're neat and Columbia obviously tries to do stuff in that area. I'm not sure it is worth the extra cash just for that, but I also think the QoL is/would be higher here than at Chicago or NYU. Students there can disagree. Not really something you can prove and it's something that's really hard to put a price tag on. (Though again, I think that price tag would be less than 60k.)

[Kimikho]

Have you spoken to admissions at CLS about your deadlines/aid package? I get the impression that they can't do everything (the admissions folks being more flexible/available than the people who actually do the aid stuff) but they might be able to help you out if you call them on Monday and express your concerns. (i.e. "I want to come to Columbia but am worried about leaving money at NYU/Chicago on the table.")

Regarding the importance of JGL/the Gender and Sexuality Clinic, I think they're neat and Columbia obviously tries to do stuff in that area. I'm not sure it is worth the extra cash just for that, but I also think the QoL is/would be higher here than at Chicago or NYU. Students there can disagree. Not really something you can prove and it's something that's really hard to put a price tag on. (Though again, I think that price tag would be less than 60k.)

I have spoken with CLS...they told me to ask for an extension from NYU

Thanks for your input though! I've heard that about CLS vs. Chicago, but I've heard mixed things about CLS vs. NYU, which makes me think they are pretty similar in QoL.

About the money--it's been considered thoroughly. The money is in a 529. For employment outcomes/my goals, these are the schools I'm looking at, and all of them involve liquidating the 529 account. Before I really understood how expensive law school was, I was hoping I could give my siblings a portion of that since they wasted theirs at LACs. I still might do it if my sister wants to go to med school, which is a big draw for Chicago, and a substantial reason for why I'm not fighting HLS's waitlist very hard. Definitely shows that law schools need more need-based grants.

[mandyjay11]

Well, I think need based grants are for those in actual need and with the money you have on hand to pay, you probably don't seem like the prime candidate for those grants.

I think you're in a good position, though! Good luck with your decision.

[zen]

I'll leave figuring your life out to people smarter than I am, but having gone to NYU for undergrad with friends at Columbia, I can tell you that the difference in quality of life between the two schools is pretty minimal. It probably largely boils down to when you want to go out and have fun, if you are at Columbia, it takes longer to get there since you'll be living way up in Columbia land as opposed to the East Village .

[Mal Reynolds]

On second thought go to CLS. Please.

[koalacity]

ITT: Mal Reynolds makes the hard sell for anywhere but Chicago, Dean P to be perplexed by the historically low yield for the c/o 2017.

[Mal Reynolds]

ITT: Mal Reynolds makes the hard sell for anywhere but Chicago, Dean P to be perplexed by the historically low yield for the c/o 2017.

I want everyone to go to Chicago. Except Scoobers.

[redbull12]

Whatever school you choose will be very lucky to have you. Pick Chicago.

[lawschool22]

The fact that the money is in a 529 plan makes this different than if she was just liquidating personal savings or something. It sounds like the money can either be used for her law school or sister's med school. In this situation I think taking the 529 cash into account makes sense since she isn't personally giving up her own funds to do this.

That said I think it's hard to make a true call on this because we don't know Columbia's offer yet. I do think you should deposit at NYU though. Columbia could come in with a crappy offer and in that case you would be glad to have an NYC option.

I would think you could used 529 funds for deposits, so I don't think it will be prohibitively expensive for you to pay two or even three deposits.

[NYSprague]

Is your question whether you should deposit at NYU while you wait for Columbia? You are really over thinking this. You didn't like NYU, should probably be in New York if you want to stay with your SO and are waiting on Columbia.

Just pay the deposit.

Don't worry about saving money for your siblings. They used their share of the money. You don't need to take care of them. They can get money for medical school and there are many options to repay that debt. I'm not sure why your family will only help you if you get in HYS, but that is none of my business.

I don't know you so this is just general advice, you need to calm down a little about this whole process.

[NYSprague]

Well, I think need based grants are for those in actual need and with the money you have on hand to pay, you probably don't seem like the prime candidate for those grants.

I think you're in a good position, though! Good luck with your decision.

Excellent point.

[Kimikho]

Well, I think need based grants are for those in actual need and with the money you have on hand to pay, you probably don't seem like the prime candidate for those grants.

I think you're in a good position, though! Good luck with your decision.

Excellent point.

General observation seems to say this isn't entirely the case.

Thanks everyone! This was all super helpful.

[Otunga]

Given the relatively low debt totals at NYU and Columbia, and the fact that SO will be in NYC for three years, I vote for either one of them over Chicago. It's not like Chicago is 50-100k cheaper debt-wise or something. I don't believe I would want to pick a school from NYU/Columbia for you. Personally, I would pick NYU simply because it's less expensive, it's good for biglaw, and presumably, you should be able to do gender advocacy whether or not they have a specific clinic for it. It's up to you whether "fit" is worth 27k. It's tough to answer that as a stranger on a forum.

[midwest17]

Given the relatively low debt totals at NYU and Columbia, and the fact that SO will be in NYC for three years, I vote for either one of them over Chicago. It's not like Chicago is 50-100k cheaper debt-wise or something. I don't believe I would want to pick a school from NYU/Columbia for you. Personally, I would pick NYU simply because it's less expensive, it's good for biglaw, and presumably, you should be able to do gender advocacy whether or not they have a specific clinic for it. It's up to you whether "fit" is worth 27k. It's tough to answer that as a stranger on a forum.

Chicago is >$50k cheaper than either of the Columbia estimates, although they are just estimates.

[Otunga]

Given the relatively low debt totals at NYU and Columbia, and the fact that SO will be in NYC for three years, I vote for either one of them over Chicago. It's not like Chicago is 50-100k cheaper debt-wise or something. I don't believe I would want to pick a school from NYU/Columbia for you. Personally, I would pick NYU simply because it's less expensive, it's good for biglaw, and presumably, you should be able to do gender advocacy whether or not they have a specific clinic for it. It's up to you whether "fit" is worth 27k. It's tough to answer that as a stranger on a forum.

Chicago is >$50k cheaper than either of the Columbia estimates, although they are just estimates.

Right. But with counting the SO as a consideration, and it's serious with SO, I would still vote NYU. 40k extra for that, particularly at a school like NYU, is reasonable.

[chizzy]

Given the relatively low debt totals at NYU and Columbia, and the fact that SO will be in NYC for three years, I vote for either one of them over Chicago. It's not like Chicago is 50-100k cheaper debt-wise or something. I don't believe I would want to pick a school from NYU/Columbia for you. Personally, I would pick NYU simply because it's less expensive, it's good for biglaw, and presumably, you should be able to do gender advocacy whether or not they have a specific clinic for it. It's up to you whether "fit" is worth 27k. It's tough to answer that as a stranger on a forum.

Chicago is >$50k cheaper than either of the Columbia estimates, although they are just estimates.

Right. But with counting the SO as a consideration, and it's serious with SO, I would still vote NYU. 40k extra for that, particularly at a school like NYU, is reasonable.

yeah OP should definitely consider the SO in the decision if its serious. You should consider how you are able to manage the long distance relationship your 1L year and if it would affect your studies emotionally.

[Kimikho]

Given the relatively low debt totals at NYU and Columbia, and the fact that SO will be in NYC for three years, I vote for either one of them over Chicago. It's not like Chicago is 50-100k cheaper debt-wise or something. I don't believe I would want to pick a school from NYU/Columbia for you. Personally, I would pick NYU simply because it's less expensive, it's good for biglaw, and presumably, you should be able to do gender advocacy whether or not they have a specific clinic for it. It's up to you whether "fit" is worth 27k. It's tough to answer that as a stranger on a forum.

Chicago is >$50k cheaper than either of the Columbia estimates, although they are just estimates.

Right. But with counting the SO as a consideration, and it's serious with SO, I would still vote NYU. 40k extra for that, particularly at a school like NYU, is reasonable.

yeah OP should definitely consider the SO in the decision if its serious. You should consider how you are able to manage the long distance relationship your 1L year and if it would affect your studies emotionally.

Considering how much being long distance has effected our grades this year, it is a large part of the consideration.

[Otunga]

Considering how much being long distance has effected our grades this year, it is a large part of the consideration.

Although, the fact that you've done long distance helps the Chicago cause.

Not that it's worth subjecting yourself to that for 40k. Granted, the point is arguable.

[chizzy]

i think you should choose between NYU or columbia and hope that columbia pulls through with a good grant. If it affected your grade this year, dont take chances that it wont affect you for the next 3 years (im talking from my own personal experience here so i know how it feels). But if you think both of you can work it out, then you can put chicago in the equation

[Crowing]

I would go live with the SO. Long distance sucks.

[tlsapp2017]

I voted for Columbia. It seems like that's where you really want to go, which is what I think ultimately matters the most in this case. If your SO is at NYU, you'd still be able to live together and generally be in the same place, so I don't think that factor should sway you towards NYU over Columbia (whereas it makes Chicago much more difficult to justify).

Good Luck!

[skers]

Every other reason but the SO isn't worth nearly $40k. It's pretty personal whether or not you can do long distance, but be prepared for the inevitable break-up.

[barrelofmonkeys]

Considering how much being long distance has effected our grades this year, it is a large part of the consideration.