Yell at me and tell me to pick UVA (Dillard) over H (off WL) Forum

[cotiger]

So I see that TLS hasn't rid the world of 0L bigdumb yet

Don't attack the OP for asking a legitimate question in the on-topic forums. It's not an easy decision, especially once you are in that position.

I dunno, IMO it's a pretty simple decision unless you've got prestige blinders on. And if you've got that, why even ask? Just go to Harvard.

Clearly cotiger didn't actually read anything I wrote (or the title of the post). I know that UVA is the responsible decision. It just helps to have confirmation from other people that I'm doing the right thing (especially when non-law people in my life don't understand why I would possibly turn down Harvard). I really didn't think it would be a hard decision to say no to Harvard if I got in off the wait list without receiving financial aid information (I also didn't think it likely at all that I would get in, so maybe I just underestimated how difficult it would actually be), but it's definitely difficult (again, especially when non-law people think/tell me I'd be crazy not to go to Harvard).

I literally did what your title requested: yell at you and tell you to pick UVA.

How else can I be of service?

[NYSprague]

^^^^
Odds that OP goes to Harvard anyway?
This free money to go to one of the best law school in the country seems insufficient. I do think they will offer it to someone else if OP turns it down. So there's that. It won't be wasted.

[banjo]

You'll stop caring about your school's prestige like five or six minutes after orientation starts. In fact, I feel dumb for ever caring about things like that. Unless you have an incredible employment-related reason to go to HLS, UVA is the easy choice.

[xylocarp]

It looks like about 3 people get a Dillard every year.

(sry for not helping, OP) Is this true? I thought there were more for some reason

[truckstop]

^^^^
Odds that OP goes to Harvard anyway?
This free money to go to one of the best law school in the country seems insufficient. I do think they will offer it to someone else if OP turns it down. So there's that. It won't be wasted.

0%.

I'm going to stick with UVA.

Sometimes people just need support in their decisions. I very much appreciate everyone who took the time to reassure me that UVA is the right decision for my situation.

[truckstop]

It looks like about 3 people get a Dillard every year.

(sry for not helping, OP) Is this true? I thought there were more for some reason

There are definitely more. I don't know if there's a fixed number each year, but there are more than 3 for the Class of 2017.

[NYSprague]

^^^^
Odds that OP goes to Harvard anyway?
This free money to go to one of the best law school in the country seems insufficient. I do think they will offer it to someone else if OP turns it down. So there's that. It won't be wasted.

0%.

I'm going to stick with UVA.

Sometimes people just need support in their decisions. I very much appreciate everyone who took the time to reassure me that UVA is the right decision for my situation.

Sweet.
You did say to yell at you. Sarcasm is a form of yelling.
I'm very happy for you OP. You have won the law school lottery. It really is a fantastic outcome for you.

[jingosaur]

^^^^
Odds that OP goes to Harvard anyway?
This free money to go to one of the best law school in the country seems insufficient. I do think they will offer it to someone else if OP turns it down. So there's that. It won't be wasted.

0%.

I'm going to stick with UVA.

Sometimes people just need support in their decisions. I very much appreciate everyone who took the time to reassure me that UVA is the right decision for my situation.

Good choice. The only thing that I really picked up from the "is it worth it to take the money or go to the better school" debates with these kinds of options is that most people don't regret the decision that they make regardless of which one they choose as long as they're comfortable with it at the time of the decision. Good luck!

[JCougar]

UVA, especially because you want to do PI/Government work. Funding for this kind of work is dwindling these days, and even with a Harvard degree, you're not going to make a lot of money. LRAP/IBR/PSLF is very stressful, because you have to keep your job for 10 years to get any forgiveness. We could have another market crash and PI funding could dry up again (it's already pretty dry). We could also have the Tea Party win over the House and Senate, and basically shut down government hiring for a few years.

Good PI jobs are even more selective than Bigalw, so normally I'd just say Harvard...but most people don't have the fall-back option of going to UVA for free. Do it.

[ymmv]

^^^^
Odds that OP goes to Harvard anyway?
This free money to go to one of the best law school in the country seems insufficient. I do think they will offer it to someone else if OP turns it down. So there's that. It won't be wasted.

0%.

I'm going to stick with UVA.

Sometimes people just need support in their decisions. I very much appreciate everyone who took the time to reassure me that UVA is the right decision for my situation.

Good choice.
As another congratulatory anecdote: one of the happiest, most successful (and debt-free) dudes at my school turned down the whole holy trinity for a full ride here, and I believe him when he says he has zero regrets about his decision and immense relief that he didn't give into family pressure to go HYS.

[cotiger]

^^^^
Odds that OP goes to Harvard anyway?
This free money to go to one of the best law school in the country seems insufficient. I do think they will offer it to someone else if OP turns it down. So there's that. It won't be wasted.

0%.

I'm going to stick with UVA.

Sometimes people just need support in their decisions. I very much appreciate everyone who took the time to reassure me that UVA is the right decision for my situation.

Good call.

Sorry if I came off a bit harsh. There was one guy on here who decided to sit out and reapply next year after getting a Dillard just because he didn't get into YHS. The siren song of the Harvard name can be quite strong for some people.

[CicerBRo]

You'll stop caring about your school's prestige like five or six minutes after orientation starts. In fact, I feel dumb for ever caring about things like that. Unless you have an incredible employment-related reason to go to HLS, UVA is the easy choice.

Yup. As someone who goes to HLS, let me echo banjo: If prestige is a factor in your decision, you're doing it wrong. $300,000 is nothing to scoff at, and by the way (as you probably know), you will probably end up paying MORE than that since you are underestimating CoL in Boston.

Look, Harvard is a great place. I've loved it here. But is it $300,000 better than UVA? Unless you want to work at Wachtell or land a clerkship with someone who only accepts HYS grads (and those people are rare), then the answer is no.

Edit: I see you decided to make the smart choice and go to UVA for free. Good choice, and best wishes!

[jbagelboy]

You'll stop caring about your school's prestige like five or six minutes after orientation starts. In fact, I feel dumb for ever caring about things like that. Unless you have an incredible employment-related reason to go to HLS, UVA is the easy choice.

Yea, this.

UVA. Harvard will feel cool for like 10 days. Free UVA degree will feel cool for 10+ years.

[jbagelboy]

^^^^
Odds that OP goes to Harvard anyway?
This free money to go to one of the best law school in the country seems insufficient. I do think they will offer it to someone else if OP turns it down. So there's that. It won't be wasted.

0%.

I'm going to stick with UVA.

Sometimes people just need support in their decisions. I very much appreciate everyone who took the time to reassure me that UVA is the right decision for my situation.

Good call.

Sorry if I came off a bit harsh. There was one guy on here who decided to sit out and reapply next year after getting a Dillard just because he didn't get into YHS. The siren song of the Harvard name can be quite strong for some people.

I thought he/she eventually went to UVa

[NYSprague]

It looks like about 3 people get a Dillard every year.

(sry for not helping, OP) Is this true? I thought there were more for some reason

There are definitely more. I don't know if there's a fixed number each year, but there are more than 3 for the Class of 2017.

I found a press release that shows 11 Dillard for class of 2016. So my guess of 3 was very low.

[Trig]

^^^^
Odds that OP goes to Harvard anyway?
This free money to go to one of the best law school in the country seems insufficient. I do think they will offer it to someone else if OP turns it down. So there's that. It won't be wasted.

0%.

I'm going to stick with UVA.

Sometimes people just need support in their decisions. I very much appreciate everyone who took the time to reassure me that UVA is the right decision for my situation.

Good call.

Sorry if I came off a bit harsh. There was one guy on here who decided to sit out and reapply next year after getting a Dillard just because he didn't get into YHS. The siren song of the Harvard name can be quite strong for some people.

I thought he/she eventually went to UVa

100% positive I saw him/her withdraw from UVa in the UVa waitlist thread and/or applicants thread.

[xylocarp]

It looks like about 3 people get a Dillard every year.

(sry for not helping, OP) Is this true? I thought there were more for some reason

There are definitely more. I don't know if there's a fixed number each year, but there are more than 3 for the Class of 2017.

I found a press release that shows 11 Dillard for class of 2016. So my guess of 3 was very low.

Thank you both for the info!

[Mack.Hambleton]

Good call.

Sorry if I came off a bit harsh. There was one guy on here who decided to sit out and reapply next year after getting a Dillard just because he didn't get into YHS. The siren song of the Harvard name can be quite strong for some people.

I thought he/she eventually went to UVa

100% positive I saw him/her withdraw from UVa in the UVa waitlist thread and/or applicants thread.

I was planning on going but withdrew to get work experience and to take time off regardless (but not because of muh prestige)

[truckstop]

Thanks again to everyone for all your help. Sincerely.

This thread was for final reassurance, but I think I definitely would have made a different, probably worse/less responsible choice somewhere along the way without the input of the people who've already made these kinds of decisions. Y'all are great.

[paayter]

Retake, ED UVA

I can't tell if you're kidding or if you misunderstood what I wrote under COA. I'll hope for kidding.

You can't possibly be serious.

I know it's completely ridiculous. I just need the reassurance before I say no to Harvard. It's harder to do than I expected before getting the call.

Edit: If I really wanted to humble brag, I'd do it on Facebook/wouldn't do it anonymously. I'm just actually stressed out and want to know that I'm doing the right thing.

you can always keep your harvard acceptance letter lol. dude...congrats man. humblebrag jerk lol!

[hawk5]

I completely understand why it would be difficult to turn down Harvard, but you should listen to the practicing attorneys. Enjoy your free T14 Degree.

I have two other thoughts regarding being a Dillard Scholar and legal employment while reading through this, but this is just speculation (0L here). Please correct me if i'm wrong.

Can't you put Dillard Scholar on your resume? I would think putting that down would indicate to legal employers that you could have gone to higher ranked schools, but made a financial decision to take a full ride and they would understand why you made that decision. It could be a great talking point for an interview.

Also, wouldn't the ten Dillard Scholars receive some tangible benefit in terms of institutional support, like phone calls for a COA clerkship? I just think there could be some benefit to be one of a select few massive scholarship recipients than another face in the 564 person crowd at Harvard Law. I would think one of these major scholarship recipients typically performs better than an average student at their school.

[MistakenGenius]

Post removed.

[jbagelboy]

This is why I think TLS has gone way too far in the direction of debt phobia in the last couple years. Sure, the Dillard is a very nice option, no doubt about that. But to call the OP an idiot because he's considering Harvard? Really? I'd wager the majority of the people attacking the OP were never good enough to have these options in the first place, and since you aren't able to empathize with the OP, you're not contributing to the conversation by attacking him. It's a hard decision, one that you can only understand if you've faced the same.

OP, I think both options are excellent. In my mind, UVA is one of the weaker T14s, but to go there for free is an incredible deal. If you're extremely debt averse, sure, you have less chance of getting these goals of yours, but you'll do it with good backup options and low debt. Harvard meanwhile is Harvard, and their name will open far more doors in your lifetime, though you will have to balance debt for a few years.

OP, I had a choice between full-ride and a better school with max-need based aid (still over 100k), I took the name and don't regret it. Honestly, I think both options are very good. You don't see people whining that Harvard Law ruined their life. At the same time, you don't see people whining about a T14 with no debt. Both options are going to set you up for a nice life. I'd take Harvard in your situation, but it's a decision you need to come to on your own.

Also, nice job nabbing the Dillard and Harvard with "lower" numbers. Very nice.

Also, hawk, sure, you can put your scholarship on your resume, but it's not going to make any difference at all.

Lol nah dude. You're placing way too high a premium as an 0L on the name of the school. I agree he's not an "idiot" for considering Harvard and people on tls exaggerate their opinions but Dillard is definitely the right call. Take it from the current students and practicing attorneys; the "opens doors" line is almost entirely 0L mysticism and grows old very quickly. The UVa and Harvard young associates and clerks are lumped together as elite schools; the defining feature between the student who went to Harvard for law school and virginia with dillard would be their debt balance, not the name of their school.

[BruceWayne]

^ Exactly. Although Harvard is somewhat of a special case, 0Ls do not understand just how much this website overvalues school name--especially in comparison to massive student loan debt.

[jbagelboy]

also MG: you cannot reasonably assert that y = h or that "max need based aid" = "sticker debt" so your circumstances aren't on point