T6 (no $) vs. state school ($$) Forum

[ohnoyoudidn't]

I was actually taken off guard to recently be accepted at Chicago, and now I'm trying to make what I think is a pretty touch decision. I know I want to work in the state I live in now, with my state school offering my a scholarship and coupled with some support my parents have agreed to give me for law school I will have approximately 40k of debt if I don't count working in the summers. However, I could attend Chicago and graduate with approximately 110-120K of debt when I graduate. My state school is T30ish and does quite well, but the idea of turning down Chicago seems difficult as well. Anybody had a similar dilemna?

[Helmholtz]

If you know what state you want to practice in, and you're getting some good money from the best school in the state, I would just go there. I don't really see the point of going that much farther in debt when you get be at the state school building up a network in that state and going for relatively nothing, cost-wise.

[98234872348]

I can't imagine turning down Chicago in this situation, but, to each is own.

[09042014]

Unless your state school is UVA, Michigan, or Upenn I would take t6.

Rancid anti Penn trolling

[ohnoyoudidn't]

I can't imagine turning down Chicago in this situation, but, to each is own.

I'm just worried that if I go to Chicago I'm going to take 80K more in debt end up in the same job that I would have gotten if I went to my state school.

[homestyle28]

I'm in similiar spot. In at tOSU and Northwestern...no word on funding yet, but presuming there will be a decent disparity. Also want public sector job and not biglaw, so definitely leaning toward OSU. 40k in debt is soo much more manageable than 100k+.

[09042014]

I can't imagine turning down Chicago in this situation, but, to each is own.

I'm just worried that if I go to Chicago I'm going to take 80K more in debt end up in the same job that I would have gotten if I went to my state school.

If you end up in the top 10% of your state school this might happen. But you can finish a lot lower at Chicago and still get that job.

[MF248]

Unless your state school is UVA, Michigan, or Upenn I would take t6.

Rancid anti Penn trolling

Penn is a state school these days?

[Helmholtz]

I can't imagine turning down Chicago in this situation, but, to each is own.

I'm just worried that if I go to Chicago I'm going to take 80K more in debt end up in the same job that I would have gotten if I went to my state school.

If you end up in the top 10% of your state school this might happen. But you can finish a lot lower at Chicago and still get that job.

I think it depends on the state school. I know people who went to T14 schools and had to fight hard against the locals to get the same jobs they were getting. Keep in mind, this wasn't a primary market, which is what a lot of T14ers are going for.

[09042014]

Unless your state school is UVA, Michigan, or Upenn I would take t6.

Rancid anti Penn trolling

Penn is a state school these days?

I was joking of course. I thought the Penn State joke is fucked out.

[puppleberry finn]

Unless your state school is UVA, Michigan, or Upenn I would take t6.

Rancid anti Penn trolling

u mad northwesTTTern ?

[98234872348]

I'm in similiar spot. In at tOSU and Northwestern...no word on funding yet, but presuming there will be a decent disparity. Also want public sector job and not biglaw, so definitely leaning toward OSU. 40k in debt is soo much more manageable than 100k+.

I think in this position I would take OSU.

[09042014]

I can't imagine turning down Chicago in this situation, but, to each is own.

I'm just worried that if I go to Chicago I'm going to take 80K more in debt end up in the same job that I would have gotten if I went to my state school.

If you end up in the top 10% of your state school this might happen. But you can finish a lot lower at Chicago and still get that job.

I think it depends on the state school. I know people who went to T14 schools and had to fight hard against the locals to get the same jobs they were getting. Keep in mind, this wasn't a primary market, which is what a lot of T14ers are going for.

Good point. I think OP should try to find some lawyers at big firms in his market of choice and ask them.

[kittenmittons]

If you know what state you want to practice in, and you're getting some good money from the best school in the state, I would just go there. I don't really see the point of going that much farther in debt when you get be at the state school building up a network in that state and going for relatively nothing, cost-wise.

This is what I plan to do

[09042014]

Unless your state school is UVA, Michigan, or Upenn I would take t6.

Rancid anti Penn trolling

u mad northwesTTTern ?

NorthwesTTTern Illinois University.

[kittenmittons]

Unless your state school is UVA, Michigan, or Upenn I would take t6.

Rancid anti Penn trolling

u mad northwesTTTern ?

NorthwesTTTern Illinois University.

NorthwesTTTern College of Sacajawea University School of Law

[homestyle28]

I'm in similiar spot. In at tOSU and Northwestern...no word on funding yet, but presuming there will be a decent disparity. Also want public sector job and not biglaw, so definitely leaning toward OSU. 40k in debt is soo much more manageable than 100k+.

I think in this position I would take OSU.

Yeah, not to mention northwestern = big move = sell house for loss (after improvements) + wife has to job search instead of making $

But being a TLS faithful lurker, it IS hard to turn down t-14

[MF248]

Oops -- I didn't see the anti-penn trolling note in fine print.

[rayiner]

If your goal is biglaw, then the T6, no doubt. Hiring within the T14 is down dramatically, but many firms have just straight-up stopped hiring from T30 schools. Moreover, remember that it's a lot easier to lateral from big-market biglaw to your desired small market after a few years then to get into small market biglaw after missing out on it completely.

[09042014]

I'm in similiar spot. In at tOSU and Northwestern...no word on funding yet, but presuming there will be a decent disparity. Also want public sector job and not biglaw, so definitely leaning toward OSU. 40k in debt is soo much more manageable than 100k+.

I think in this position I would take OSU.

Yeah, not to mention northwestern = big move = sell house for loss (after improvements) + wife has to job search instead of making $

But being a TLS faithful lurker, it IS hard to turn down t-14

I would take OSU in that situation, and I'm about to spend a quarter mil on Northwestern.

I have a 1L friend at OSU and she likes it.

[Helmholtz]

I'm in similiar spot. In at tOSU and Northwestern...no word on funding yet, but presuming there will be a decent disparity. Also want public sector job and not biglaw, so definitely leaning toward OSU. 40k in debt is soo much more manageable than 100k+.

I think in this position I would take OSU.

Yeah, not to mention northwestern = big move = sell house for loss (after improvements) + wife has to job search instead of making $

But being a TLS faithful lurker, it IS hard to turn down t-14

I know people who went to NU and came back to Ohio, I would recommend OSU for your goals. Even full tuition for Ohio residents is something like $20-25k/yr at OSU, you'll almost certainly be better off doing that, I probably don't need to tell you the strong reputation OSU has in Ohio.

[NayBoer]

Another thread zombified by the Bitter Pessimism virus.

I'd think Chicago would have greater opportunities and geographic spread if you ever decide to shop around, and a better shot at market salary. You'd be relying on hometown connection to overcome the local folks.

[saltoftheearth]

if it's UWashington, go there

but if you were me... Chicago

[ToTransferOrNot]

I transferred from Wisconsin to Chicago. It's worth it, and you're not even looking at the same level of debt increase that I was looking at. Furthermore, I already had the whole top 10% thing locked down. I sometimes regret doing Chicago ED, but I never regret transferring (it pulled through an OCI SA gig, which is more than some of the people at the top of Wisconsin's class can say.)

Go to Chicago.

[Shaggier1]

If you know what state you want to practice in, and you're getting some good money from the best school in the state, I would just go there. I don't really see the point of going that much farther in debt when you get be at the state school building up a network in that state and going for relatively nothing, cost-wise.

Could not agree more. Take the money and run.