Vandy vs. Michigan for southeastern law Forum

[Tls2016]

Yes if you are willing to go anywhere for biglaw with your family go to Michigan I guess. I'm not sure you have thought through living in NYC or NJ on a biglaw salary with massive debt (because the cost difference is large compared to the south.) But that's your best shot at biglaw because of the size of the market. So Michigan.

[Generally]

Yes if you are willing to go anywhere for biglaw with your family go to Michigan I guess. I'm not sure you have thought through living in NYC or NJ on a biglaw salary with massive debt (because the cost difference is large compared to the south.) But that's your best shot at biglaw because of the size of the market. So Michigan.

Well I won't have massive debt at Michigan, and there are other big law places like Texas, Chicago, DC.

[Generally]

My NYC firm hires only like top 10% out of vandy...but they take around median or below median from UVA/Mich.

Well damn that is scary...

[Tls2016]

Yes if you are willing to go anywhere for biglaw with your family go to Michigan I guess. I'm not sure you have thought through living in NYC or NJ on a biglaw salary with massive debt (because the cost difference is large compared to the south.) But that's your best shot at biglaw because of the size of the market. So Michigan.

Well I won't have massive debt at Michigan, and there are other big law places like Texas, Chicago, DC.

I couldn't tell what your cost of attendance will be at Michigan. I assumed it would be 6 figures of debt.

I know there are other biglaw markets but be careful assuming you may be competitive for them. I only know NYC biglaw and it is the largest and least ties sensitive market.

DC biglaw generally requires tippy top grades and Texas generally require ties, not to mention Oil and Gas is suffering now, no idea where it will be after your 1L year.

You won't be able to bid on all these areas at OCI and be successful. You may be able to mass mail and get something in Texas or Chicago. I don't know how difficult that will be.

Good luck.

[fliptrip]

COA @ Michigan w/$120k discount and fully financed other costs: ~$122k. Could be significantly lower if spouse's working can cover other non-tuition costs. With that happening your Michigan COA is ~$55k (and probably less, but GULC's calc doesn't allow for falling tuition that you'll have because of in-state status).

Your Vandy COA is actually going to be slightly higher, but quite possibly worth it. At $110k and fully financed non-tuition costs: $157k. If spouse covers the non-tuition stuff: $61k.

If UVA is really at sticker, there's is just no way. You've got better options.

[Generally]

COA @ Michigan w/$120k discount and fully financed other costs: ~$122k. Could be significantly lower if spouse's working can cover other non-tuition costs. With that happening your Michigan COA is ~$55k (and probably less, but GULC's calc doesn't allow for falling tuition that you'll have because of in-state status).

Your Vandy COA is actually going to be slightly higher, but quite possibly worth it. At $110k and fully financed non-tuition costs: $157k. If spouse covers the non-tuition stuff: $61k.

If UVA is really at sticker, there's is just no way. You've got better options.

O no UVA is gone at sticker sadly, its just Mich and Vandy now really.

[cron1834]

Mich hands down. Network and do 1L summer in the market you want, and bid NYC at OCI as a fallback.

[Aeon]

With those scholarship numbers, I'd echo the responses of others in this thread: Michigan is the way to go.

[Generally]

Michigan seems to be winning in peoples opinions here. Is there any advantage to Vanderbilt besides getting to live where I like and already have a life established? Does Vanderbilt offer the edge if I really only wanted Atlanta or Nashville? I think there are a few Nash firms that have associate pay around $110k for first year. That would be a good outcome in my opinion.

[UVAIce]

Apologies if this has already been brought up, but have you tried negotiating for more scholarship money?

[Generally]

Apologies if this has already been brought up, but have you tried negotiating for more scholarship money?

No response yet, but I have a hard time thinking they will jump from $0 to over $100k, which it would take to make them an option. Shame, I absolutely loved UVA.

[Tls2016]

Apologies if this has already been brought up, but have you tried negotiating for more scholarship money?

UVa has drawn a hard line against negotiating. Spivey said they gave out a lot of Dillards and also deferred a number of people because they over enrolled last year.

No idea about Michigan or Vanderbilt re negotiating. But if OP wants biglaw anywhere and not just the south isn't Michigan best?

[baal hadad]

Try to negotiate w vandy but Michigan is cheaper so I'd go there

FYI Atl bug law is grades obsessed now, so is dc

I'd go to mich that way I could keep other options open in like nyc

No school is good for getting Jobs in "the southeast" as a whole unless you have preexisting ties to specific places in the south tho Texas has been better about that recently and maybe some of the Birmingham firms are willing to take a flyer for a 1L trier sa on someone from a prestigious school but my guess is you're probably not itching to work in Birmingham

[CTT]

I went to school a few years back, but I'll tell you right now (as someone with extremely strong Atlanta ties--stronger than yours) the rank you'd need to get Atlanta from UVA/Michigan really isn't that different from what you'd need to get it from Vanderbilt. Quite frankly, I think you'd be surprised at just how close Vandy is seen by Atlanta firms to UVA/Duke (f your ties to Atlanta are TRULY strong then Michigan is basically the same school as UVA for the big ATL firms,). If you can save 50K going to Vandy I'd do it.

Just my 2 cents.

However, there is going to be a massive difference for biglaw outside of the SE at Vandy vs. UVA/Michigan.

My NYC firm hires only like top 10% out of vandy...but they take around median or below median from UVA/Mich.

Just want to add that this difference will exist in DC (which obviously isn't really SE, but seeing as you mentioned it . . .).

[wons]

Michigan seems to be winning in peoples opinions here. Is there any advantage to Vanderbilt besides getting to live where I like and already have a life established? Does Vanderbilt offer the edge if I really only wanted Atlanta or Nashville? I think there are a few Nash firms that have associate pay around $110k for first year. That would be a good outcome in my opinion.

Michigan is a better school with Vanderbilt with more attractive candidates for firms. Everywhere. If you already have established ties to the region, all things being equal, you go the cost-adjusted best school you get into. It gives you the best chance at getting a job you'll be happy with.

But note - for you, all other things may not be equal. Would going to Michigan disrupt your marriage or your wife's career? Only you know the answer to that. Plenty of folks give up the best opportunity they have for family / spousal satisfaction. It's not irrational or stupid.