Top Law Schools

Suprised to not find any recent threads comparing. Anyways 50k at uchicago. 20k at Columbia. Not sure what I want to do after, possibly ip. Main concern is that if I ever quit biglaw the Columbia name would be much better than uchicago.

Thoughts?

I'm in a similar situation, so I'm glad you posted this. Do you have a good idea of whether you'd rather live in NY or Chicago after law school? Both schools are of course nationally well known, but the prestige associated with one or the other varies based on what region you're in.

liljerry wrote:Suprised to not find any recent threads comparing. Anyways 50k at uchicago. 20k at Columbia. Not sure what I want to do after, possibly ip. Main concern is that if I ever quit biglaw the Columbia name would be much better than uchicago.

Thoughts?

As long as whatever you are doing is still law/academia (legal or otherwise) related the Chicago name will hold weight for you. Outside of that realm Columbia's name is probably going to be better simply for lay prestige, you've gotta decide of that's important to you. I think the scholarship amounts you have received are close enough (even when Columbia's higher COL is factored in) that you should pick whichever school you like. I hope you like Chicago (I'm going there).

The important thing is that you don't really have a bad choice unless you think you won't be happy at one of the schools.

Good luck

Edit: Check out this thread if you want some insight from a U of C alum doing something outside of biglaw. I think he posted in the thread that he had it set to email him if the thread is updated so you may even be able to resurrect it.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =4&t=95433

Do you want to work in NYC or Chicago?

Isn't Columbia a better school for IP?

spondee wrote:Isn't Columbia a better school for IP?

I'm pretty sure it is but if you are patent bar eligible and going to a school ranked that highly (either of them I mean), would it matter? Also, would it come more into play if you are interested in soft IP, because if that's case Columbia may be a better choice.

VISIT!

I went to both and got totally different vibes at both ASWs. I cannot stress the importance of visiting after I did and I think once you do visit, you'll have a much clearer decision on your hands.

liljerry wrote:Suprised to not find any recent threads comparing. Anyways 50k at uchicago. 20k at Columbia. Not sure what I want to do after, possibly ip. Main concern is that if I ever quit biglaw the Columbia name would be much better than uchicago.

Thoughts?

...

spondee wrote:Isn't Columbia a better school for IP?

I think a school's region comes more into play than a school's ranking for a certain type of law. I work for the IP group at a biglaw firm. Most of the heavy hitters are Harvard guys and many of the associates & other partners are from top schools that are more regional (like CLS & U of C). I'm not sure about smaller firms that exclusively practice IP law, though, they could be different.

blue5385 wrote:

spondee wrote:Isn't Columbia a better school for IP?

I think a school's region comes more into play than a school's ranking for a certain type of law. I work for the IP group at a biglaw firm. Most of the heavy hitters are Harvard guys and many of the associates & other partners are from top schools that are more regional (like CLS & U of C). I'm not sure about smaller firms that exclusively practice IP law, though, they could be different.

I don't mean to hijack but how is that IP group doing? (I'm curious about the performance of IP groups in GP firms during the recession) Also, what city if you don't mind.

jerjon2 wrote:

blue5385 wrote:

spondee wrote:Isn't Columbia a better school for IP?

I think a school's region comes more into play than a school's ranking for a certain type of law. I work for the IP group at a biglaw firm. Most of the heavy hitters are Harvard guys and many of the associates & other partners are from top schools that are more regional (like CLS & U of C). I'm not sure about smaller firms that exclusively practice IP law, though, they could be different.

I don't mean to hijack but how is that IP group doing? (I'm curious about the performance of IP groups in GP firms during the recession) Also, what city if you don't mind.

I'd rather hold off on giving more detailed info until my cycle is completely over (still waiting on one more school), but I will say that our group is extremely busy (overworked and understaffed ATM...we really need to hire more people all around).

blue5385 wrote:

jerjon2 wrote:

blue5385 wrote:

spondee wrote:Isn't Columbia a better school for IP?

I think a school's region comes more into play than a school's ranking for a certain type of law. I work for the IP group at a biglaw firm. Most of the heavy hitters are Harvard guys and many of the associates & other partners are from top schools that are more regional (like CLS & U of C). I'm not sure about smaller firms that exclusively practice IP law, though, they could be different.

I don't mean to hijack but how is that IP group doing? (I'm curious about the performance of IP groups in GP firms during the recession) Also, what city if you don't mind.

I'd rather hold off on giving more detailed info until my cycle is completely over (still waiting on one more school), but I will say that our group is extremely busy (overworked and understaffed ATM...we really need to hire more people all around).

I understand your apprehension. That is helpful nonetheless. Can you say primary or secondary market?

Thanks either way.

Edit: Also, good luck on your last school.