Convince me I'm crazy -- turning down $$ at T14s for BU Forum

[Informative]

This is either flame, or yes, you are crazy. BU is a great school, but it shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as the T14.

1. You want to work and live in Boston. (any T14 is going to get you a good job in boston, probably a better one. BC places better in Boston than BU.)
2. You want to work in law for only 7-10 years. (This doesn't effect law school choice as much as you would think.)
3. You have a full-ride offer from BU, which is probably going to place in Boston nearly (if not) as well most T14s. (not true. You must place in the top 1/3 at BU to get biglaw, and be law review to get a job at Ropes/Goodwin/Skadden, etc.)
4. You have visited BU and came away feeling good (if not great) about the school. (Have you visited the school? Ugly campus, horrible facilities (that is not a library) and a reputation of cut throat students)

[fortissimo]

This is either flame, or yes, you are crazy. BU is a great school, but it shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as the T14.

1. You want to work and live in Boston. (any T14 is going to get you a good job in boston, probably a better one. BC places better in Boston than BU.)
2. You want to work in law for only 7-10 years. (This doesn't effect law school choice as much as you would think.)
3. You have a full-ride offer from BU, which is probably going to place in Boston nearly (if not) as well most T14s. (not true. You must place in the top 1/3 at BU to get biglaw, and be law review to get a job at Ropes/Goodwin/Skadden, etc.)
4. You have visited BU and came away feeling good (if not great) about the school. (Have you visited the school? Ugly campus, horrible facilities (that is not a library) and a reputation of cut throat students)

I agree the OP is nuts (given that the BU law students I know IRL are pretty much all jobless right now) but she's only doing it to stay with her boyfriend despite what she says, so whatevs. LONG DISTANCE ISN'T THAT HARD PEOPLE.

[woeisme]

I think if I were you I'd take the Presidential Scholarship at Cornell (that's what it is, right?) It's a lot of money for a T14 and it places very well in Boston with lots of Boston firms coming to OCI. Well, maybe not this year, but in general. University of Chicago would be a very tempting second choice. In fact, if it were me (so not if I were YOU, but I were in your position with my preferences), that's what I'd choose. I think it makes sense to eliminate Duke from consideration at this point. Visit UC, Cornell, and BU if you're able.

I don't think that BU is a crazy decision at all given what you've said. I do, however, think it's the incorrect one. I just feel like you'll always wonder what doors you've closed for yourself by not choosing T14. If this doesn't strike a chord for you, it's probably a good indication that BU is the right choice for you.

[flyingpanda]

I certainly don't have the big T14 scholarships you have, but I also turned down schools with significantly higher rankings in order to take a T30 full ride. You should know what's best in your situation than anyone else. I say go for it.

? According to LSN you didn't

Anyways, if OP is going to come in here and try to be convinced otherwise of a plan she already wants to make, it's not going to happen.

[khanvalescent]

my plan atm is to work 7-10 years after LS graduation

Why invest 3 years of time and money (though you won't pay for school, there is still the opportunity cost of not working) for such a brief legal career? Will a law degree be absolutely necessary for (what appears to be) nebulous plans after that?

The logic exhibited in your post does not seem commensurate with a person who can not only get into U Chicago, but get in with a considerable scholarship.

[fortissimo]

The logic exhibited in your post does not seem commensurate with a person who can not only get into U Chicago, but get in with a considerable scholarship.

Her boyfriend is going to Boston. The heart knows no logic.

[20160810]

Eh, do what makes you happy. I see nothing wrong with this as long as you're not going to be bitter if you don't end up at the top of your class. Do not assume that because you got into T14 X that you will dominate the class at T1 Y.

[Rock Chalk]

.

[lancerlot]

I do wonder your true motive for going to law school if you say you only want to practice 7-10 yrs and not looking for BIG MONEY!!

BUT, congratz on your offers If I'm in your shoe, I'd pick whichever your heart feels right (Boston) + you get to live with your love + you love the city. BU is not that bad of a school anyway....

[motiontodismiss]

Va or Chicago. Period.

[fortissimo]

I do wonder your true motive for going to law school if you say you only want to practice 7-10 yrs and not looking for BIG MONEY!!

BUT, congratz on your offers If I'm in your shoe, I'd pick whichever your heart feels right (Boston) + you get to live with your love + you love the city. BU is not that bad of a school anyway....

Thanks for that vote of confidence. "It's not THAT bad..."

[Son of Cicero]

I agree the OP is nuts (given that the BU law students I know IRL are pretty much all jobless right now) but she's only doing it to stay with her boyfriend despite what she says, so whatevs. LONG DISTANCE ISN'T THAT HARD PEOPLE.

Aren't you the poster who admitted to repeatedly cheating on a half-witted long-distance boyfriend?

[fortissimo]

I agree the OP is nuts (given that the BU law students I know IRL are pretty much all jobless right now) but she's only doing it to stay with her boyfriend despite what she says, so whatevs. LONG DISTANCE ISN'T THAT HARD PEOPLE.

Aren't you the poster who admitted to repeatedly cheating on a half-witted long-distance boyfriend?

Which boyfriend?

[09042014]

I agree the OP is nuts (given that the BU law students I know IRL are pretty much all jobless right now) but she's only doing it to stay with her boyfriend despite what she says, so whatevs. LONG DISTANCE ISN'T THAT HARD PEOPLE.

Aren't you the poster who admitted to repeatedly cheating on a half-witted long-distance boyfriend?

Which boyfriend?

LOL

[JOThompson]

I would visit those schools, you may be pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere of those programs/cities.

You're not crazy for considering BU. Personal happiness is often underrated on TLS. You'll still have a chance at BU and the debt won't be crippling, thus allowing you to raise a family and try other career paths. If I was in your position, Cornell would be my second choice based on $$$.

[Son of Cicero]

I agree the OP is nuts (given that the BU law students I know IRL are pretty much all jobless right now) but she's only doing it to stay with her boyfriend despite what she says, so whatevs. LONG DISTANCE ISN'T THAT HARD PEOPLE.

Aren't you the poster who admitted to repeatedly cheating on a half-witted long-distance boyfriend?

Which boyfriend?

The one whose illegitimate kids would always talk about how they couldn't wait for your illegitimate kids to be their step-siblings.

[jlk86]

.

[fortissimo]

You're not crazy, & if you want to feel comfortable with your decision, stop reading this site immediately. As of now, I'm like 95% turning down a 30k/year award from a T14 for a full-tuition named scholarship program at a strong regional T30 in my target market. I know things should be somewhat better by the time we go through OCI, but even good grades at a T14 are no guarantee anymore. .

Turning down 90k at a t-14? FLAME.

[jlk86]

.

[nawktasy]

In most cases, going to the top school is probably the right choice especially with an attractive offer, but it's not the best decision for everyone's situation universally.

Hojotoho, the thundering footsteps of a phat girl. Much love!

[Drummingreg]

Do you actually want big law?
Do you want to have options after law school?
If so, Go to Chicago.
If not, go to BU.
/thread

[fortissimo]

You're not crazy, & if you want to feel comfortable with your decision, stop reading this site immediately. As of now, I'm like 95% turning down a 30k/year award from a T14 for a full-tuition named scholarship program at a strong regional T30 in my target market. I know things should be somewhat better by the time we go through OCI, but even good grades at a T14 are no guarantee anymore. .

Turning down 90k at a t-14? FLAME.

Exactly my point. In case you weren't aware, in real life outside of the TLS vacuum, people make major life decisions based on location preferences & personal happiness all the time. It's really not incredibly hard to believe that someone might come to the conclusion that chasing rankings is not the most important consideration in making their own decision. Obviously it matters a great deal, but BU is not some tier 4 shithole. If she doesn't want to move to Ithaca, Charlottesville, or Chicago, & thinks BU is compatible with both her career & personal goals, it's a perfectly justifiable position & shouldn't be criticized just because it doesn't follow the prestige whoring 0L groupthink that goes on here. In most cases, going to the top school is probably the right choice especially with an attractive offer, but it's not the best decision for everyone's situation universally.

I am not a 0L. I am in law school. I was being semi-facetious, as I don't know what school nor market you are talking about, but I think for the OP's situation, it's a huge mistake. The employment prospects are pretty vast between t-14 and BU. But...I think 90k (or 60-120k for OP's situation) is a substantial amount of money too. You will go into debt, but your job options will be greater and you won't be taking on that much debt either since you have over a half ride. As for personal happiness...You're not moving to a third world country, you're moving to Chicago, insert X city/town. If anything you come off as spoiled, self-entitled, and annoying if you can't "put up" with 3 years of living in "omg" Chicago for much better job prospects.