Top Law Schools

*****BU 45K + Seat Deposit Paid ($750) + 1 Time $10k Housing Grant
BC 60K

I like Boston University better and it is higher ranked. Although, even with it's slightly higher rank, it appears that BC may actually have better firm placement numbers, and if they aren't better, the two are at least comparable. I have until tomorrow to reach a decision, thoughts? Maybe if some current law students could weigh in--how important is fit? I realize my debt will be slightly lower at BC, but I feel as if I might be happier at BU and I feel like that might translate into higher grades..




Oh, and I would like to add, SCHOLARSHIP NEGOTIATION WORKS!!!!!!! I've gone from 0:30k to 60k:30k to 60k:45k and now 60K:45K+10k

BC for the sports, more money, and the prestige of telling your snobbish neighbors that you attend the "Jesuit Ivy."

I'd say the extra money makes BC a no-brainer-- except of course if you're absolutely in love with BU. Have you visited BC? The ranking means almost nothing, especially since they fluctuate constantly. Employment prospects are going to be almost identical.

The obvious question is why do you feel that you would be happier at Boston University?
Interesting to read that you were waitlisted at Boston College before being admitted with very substantial grants/scholarship.

Follow the money, IMO. Go with BC.

.

Big Tuna wrote:I say BU... BC is kind of off in the middle of a suburban neighborhood with not much around, whereas BU is right in the heart of Boston. The job prospects are roughly the same and 15k isn't that big of a difference if you like BU more and will likely have a better time going to BU for three years than BC. BC Law isn't even at the main BC campus which is a big drawback in my opinion.

BU is not in the heart of Boston. It's in Allston. Try living downtown. I've lived in downtown Boston for many years and I always laugh when I hear someone mention BU as being in the heart of the city, or downtown for that matter.

Also, you could always live in Allston/Brighton/Cleveland Circle and take a 20 minute commute to BC. This gives you the best of both worlds and is precisely what I'll be doing.

BU, because you like it better and think you'd be happier there. Not to mention it is ranked slightly higher.

$15k is a pretty nominal difference over the course of 3 years.

JWicker10 wrote:BU, because you like it better and think you'd be happier there. Not to mention it is ranked slightly higher.

$15k is a pretty nominal difference over the course of 3 years.

But 15k with interest isn't.

tram988 wrote:

JWicker10 wrote:BU, because you like it better and think you'd be happier there. Not to mention it is ranked slightly higher.

$15k is a pretty nominal difference over the course of 3 years.

But 15k with interest isn't.

On a 10 year loan we are talking about < 200/month.

BU is ranked higher and OP said he greatly preferred BU to BC. $5k/year to be at a place you're much happier at/is higher ranked is well worth it.

$15k is nothing over the course of a lifetime of earnings.

OP, FYI Tram is attending BC next year-biased advice imho.

JWicker10 wrote:

tram988 wrote:

JWicker10 wrote:BU, because you like it better and think you'd be happier there. Not to mention it is ranked slightly higher.

$15k is a pretty nominal difference over the course of 3 years.

But 15k with interest isn't.

On a 10 year loan we are talking about < 200/month.

BU is ranked higher and OP said he greatly preferred BU to BC. $5k/year to be at a place you're much happier at/is higher ranked is well worth it.

$15k is nothing over the course of a lifetime of earnings.

OP, FYI Tram is attending BC next year-biased advice imho.

I've already disclosed my BC vested interest. I told him to go to BU if that is where he is happier but to keep in mind he will be paying for it. The ranking is negligible and vacillates.

<200 a month can still be significant for some people depending on their goals my friend.

tram988 wrote:

JWicker10 wrote:

tram988 wrote:

JWicker10 wrote:BU, because you like it better and think you'd be happier there. Not to mention it is ranked slightly higher.

$15k is a pretty nominal difference over the course of 3 years.

But 15k with interest isn't.

On a 10 year loan we are talking about < 200/month.

BU is ranked higher and OP said he greatly preferred BU to BC. $5k/year to be at a place you're much happier at/is higher ranked is well worth it.

$15k is nothing over the course of a lifetime of earnings.

OP, FYI Tram is attending BC next year-biased advice imho.

I've already disclosed my BC vested interest. I told him to go to BU if that is where he is happier but to keep in mind he will be paying for it. The ranking is negligible.

Touche, the cost is negligible as well.

My perception has always been that BC is more mid Tier 1 where as BU is knocking on the door or is (depending on the year) top 20.

JWicker10 wrote:

Touche, the cost is negligible as well.

Not necessarily negligible. Not to mention if he visits BC and ends up liking it just as much as BU he could end up saving some cash. But like I said, if you visit BC and conclude it's not for you, take BU.

That is where you are wrong JWicker10. BU has been the lower tier one and has only recently, since 2001 become a top 30 school. BC was ranked #19 many years ago and has been a top 30 school since 1987. See this chart: http://prelawhandbook.com/law_school_ra ... _1987_1999

I'll say it again though, the ranking is negligible and vacillates. Worry about employment stats which are almost identical. Follow the money babbby or if it's worth the extra 15k for your general happiness go to BU. I hope to see you this fall though!

tram988 wrote:That is where you are wrong JWicker10. BU has been the lower tier one and has only recently, since 2001 become a top 30 school. BC was ranked #19 many years ago and has been a top 30 school since 1987. See this chart: http://prelawhandbook.com/law_school_ra ... _1987_1999

This is a retarded argument. It's ridiculous to listen to your justification of why you think
BC is better, obviously you do, you're going there, and that's fine. Maybe BC is better for you than BU, but OP has already clearly and articulately outlined that he prefers BU.

The last TEN years BU has been better, I'd say that's a fairly significant amount of time and plenty of time to change the hiring perceptions of partners.

My entire point was that $15k shouldn't be enough to sway OP if he prefers BU as much as he claims to. That's it.

Fact of the matter, BU is also ranked higher. Granted, the ranking is about as significant as the $15k in terms of how much it should play into OP's decision.

Fair enough?

I think so too.

Choose what feels right to you between those two OP.

Cupidity wrote:BU 45K + Seat Deposit Paid ($750)
BC 60K

I like Boston University better and it is higher ranked. Although, even with it's slightly higher rank, it appears that BC may actually have better firm placement numbers, and if they aren't better, the two are at least comparable. I have until tomorrow to reach a decision, thoughts? Maybe if some current law students could weigh in--how important is fit? I realize my debt will be slightly lower at BC, but I feel as if I might be happier at BU and I feel like that might translate into higher grades..

the rankings doesn't matter. if this was my choice to make, i would go with bc....from the most recent data they place marginally better into biglaw than bu and the gave you more money. but i wouldn't knock you for just going to where you felt you liked the most. the difference between the job placement of the two and the 15k isn't so great that you would be missing too much by going to bu instead of bc. it would be okay to go where you feel most comfortable since they're pretty similar.

Oh, and I would like to add, SCHOLARSHIP NEGOTIATION WORKS!!!!!!! I've gone from 0:30k to 60k:30k to 60k:45k and now 60K:45K+10k

See top for updated info.

Cupidity wrote:Oh, and I would like to add, SCHOLARSHIP NEGOTIATION WORKS!!!!!!! I've gone from 0:30k to 60k:30k to 60k:45k and now 60K:45K+10k

See top for updated info.

Congrats, there ya go.

Given the update and the fact that you prefer BU i say that it's a no-brainer: BU

Follow your heart. BU.

I also change my vote to BU. Congrats on the mad negotiation skills!

Where do you want to work? BC is supposed to place better in Boston, BU elsewhere.

I think OP should go where his/her heart is and pick BU. I remember OP telling me how great a time he/she had at the accepted students day, and how great the faculty was. I don't hear those same rave faculty reviews about BC. Plus, without a car, BC is pretty far from the heart of Boston. BU most certainly isn't downtown, but it is right in the outskirts of the city and it only takes 15 minutes or so to be in the main part of the city. BC tends to be a far more localized school, with many more students from Boston, who will likely stay in Boston. Compare that to BU, which places about half of its class outside of New England. I would say that, if OP is absolutely set on Boston for the long-haul, BC's alumni network in the city can't be beat. But barring that situation, id go with BU.

Cupidity wrote:Oh, and I would like to add, SCHOLARSHIP NEGOTIATION WORKS!!!!!!! I've gone from 0:30k to 60k:30k to 60k:45k and now 60K:45K+10k

You, sir, are my hero for this.