trialjunky wrote:If you can take a step in Florida and NOT see some kind of Gator license plate, flag, sweat shirt...literally, you can't get away from it. They call Florida Gator Nation for a reason. I've worked or spoken in depth with people from several biglaw jobs in Florida and UF reigns supreme. If you're not T14 than you might as well be gator. So, if you're certain you want to work in FLA it's the way to go.
I agree with what you for the most part, but I'd add Vanderbilt and Emory, well known regional players, for FL hiring, especially if you can demonstrate a connection to the state. If is definintely not T-14>UF>all else. Would Emory or Vandy be worth sticker over in-state at UF? Probably not, especially considering that market in FL is only around $110k to $125k. Are they also going to give you a boost above UF grads, expecially if you are already from/can demonstrate a connection to FL? Yup. How do I know? Family members and family friends who worked biglaw, state govt., and federal govt.
One of my family members works at a federal office and has final say over all the hiring there (don't want to say which office; don't want to out myself). I asked specifically about Vanderbilt and Emory, and he/she assured me the boost was there. The #3 person at the office is a Vandy grad, another friend is a Vandy grad there, and I can name at least one Emory grad I know off the top of my head. UF grads, comparatively, are underrepresented.
Not a lot of Vandy and Emory (and T14) self-select to the state, which makes UF seem more prominent, but trust me on this one. Emory at sticker? UF by a country mile. Emory w/$$ vs. UF in-state? I'd take Emory any day.