UVa (90k) vs. Michigan (45k) Forum

[r6_philly]

Really happy to have received 2 merit offers so far, trying to do a head to head comparison.

UVa 30k/year, Michigan 15k/year.

Goal: IP/tech law, in CA if possible. I have 10+ years of WE in the field I want to specialize in, with a lot of exposure/experience to legal work - from the tech point of view. Not interested in NYC.

I do have Berkeley as an option (as well as Penn) but no merit offers yet, so I am trying to work with what I know for certain.

I am guessing UVa wins, but would like some varying opinions. Thoughts?

[Excellence = a Habit]

Really happy to have received 2 merit offers so far, trying to do a head to head comparison.

UVa 30k/year, Michigan 15k/year.

Goal: IP/tech law, in CA if possible. I have 10+ years of WE in the field I want to specialize in, with a lot of exposure/experience to legal work - from the tech point of view. Not interested in NYC.

I do have Berkeley as an option (as well as Penn) but no merit offers yet, so I am trying to work with what I know for certain.

I am guessing UVa wins, but would like some varying opinions. Thoughts?

Do you know COA at each school? I know C-ville is supposed to be cheap and AA isn't bad either, but factoring in COA could put UVa ahead by even more than the scholly does. (BTW, congrats on both schollies!)

[r6_philly]

Do you know COA at each school? I know C-ville is supposed to be cheap and AA isn't bad either, but factoring in COA could put UVa ahead by even more than the scholly does. (BTW, congrats on both schollies!)

Thanks! It's awesome to not think about 250k in loans no matter how confident I may be about the future.

I don't know Ann Arbor that well, but I do know Charlottesville is pretty cheap. I think cost of living should be pretty close, so around $50k should be the difference between the two. Michigan probably has better placement in CA, but is it $50k better?

[4102011]

From their websites, Mich's tuition is $47,600.00 & COL is $17,750.00 (health insurance $1,812.00). UVA's is $47,500 & $20,200 (health insurance $2,150).

Surprisingly enough, I made a spreadsheet about all of this with my scholly info If I were you, I'd go UVA just because it's wayyy more than what UMich is giving you. But if you visit & hate UVA or something, then is probably not worth going there.

[r6_philly]

From their websites, Mich's tuition is $47,600.00 & COL is $17,750.00 (health insurance $1,812.00). UVA's is $47,500 & $20,200 (health insurance $2,150).

Surprisingly enough, I made a spreadsheet about all of this with my scholly info If I were you, I'd go UVA just because it's wayyy more than what UMich is giving you. But if you visit & hate UVA or something, then is probably not worth going there.

I do plan to visit both. I would be one of the oldest person at UVa, so I need to see that for myself. Also offers from other schools will of course make it complicated.

I am actually making a very complex spreadsheet for comparing schools. I will share once I am done, I may actually make it into a webapp if it turns out as useful as I think it will be.

[dr123]

Do you know COA at each school? I know C-ville is supposed to be cheap and AA isn't bad either, but factoring in COA could put UVa ahead by even more than the scholly does. (BTW, congrats on both schollies!)

Thanks! It's awesome to not think about 250k in loans no matter how confident I may be about the future.

I don't know Ann Arbor that well, but I do know Charlottesville is pretty cheap. I think cost of living should be pretty close, so around $50k should be the difference between the two. Michigan probably has better placement in CA, but is it $50k better?

Rent in Ann Arbor's cheap cheap cheap, most of friends in A2 with one bedroom apts pay around 400-450 a month. I was living in a pretty nice house in a2 for a few months and it was only 200/month per person. Just don't be fooled by the housing that's advertised towards students those places are always extremely overpriced

[northwood]

I would personally hold off on making a decision until you have visited each school, and completed your spreadsheet. Look it over, compare the notes on the spreadsheet to how you felt on each campus. You might realize that you like one of them better. Personally, if you like one over the other- thats the winner.

There is no wrong choice. You have done well, sir

[r6_philly]

I would personally hold off on making a decision until you have visited each school, and completed your spreadsheet. Look it over, compare the notes on the spreadsheet to how you felt on each campus. You might realize that you like one of them better. Personally, if you like one over the other- thats the winner.

There is no wrong choice. You have done well, sir

Thanks! I am not trying to make a decision right now (not for another 3 month). Just want to hear some opinions. I know they are peer schools, and only I would be able to know if I like one over the other and whether or not that justifies the additional cost. With personal preference removed, is it reasonable to assume the quality and opportunities offered by each school are not that much different as to justify a extra year of tuition?

[r6_philly]

Rent in Ann Arbor's cheap cheap cheap, most of friends in A2 with one bedroom apts pay around 400-450 a month. I was living in a pretty nice house in a2 for a few months and it was only 200/month per person. Just don't be fooled by the housing that's advertised towards students those places are always extremely overpriced

Thanks for the heads up. I am looking to rent a 3BR+ house because I have a family. I think prices are pretty comparable at both locales.

[northwood]

look into the school systems. If one is better than the other, thats where I would go.

[r6_philly]

look into the school systems. If one is better than the other, thats where I would go.

True that! That's next on the agenda. I do know either place is an update from my district now. BTW my wife will have inputs on those issues, I am only allowed to compare schools! lol

[dr123]

Rent in Ann Arbor's cheap cheap cheap, most of friends in A2 with one bedroom apts pay around 400-450 a month. I was living in a pretty nice house in a2 for a few months and it was only 200/month per person. Just don't be fooled by the housing that's advertised towards students those places are always extremely overpriced

Thanks for the heads up. I am looking to rent a 3BR+ house because I have a family. I think prices are pretty comparable at both locales.

look into the south side, its moderatley close to the LS, inexpensive, and extremely family friendly

[northwood]

You do know that if your wife hates one school, you cannot choose that one.



gdane

[r6_philly]

You do know that if your wife hates one school, you cannot choose that one.

haha that's why I am gathering information to make an effective presentation on where I want to attend.

She loves Stanford, so it's an uphill battle.

[r6_philly]

look into the south side, its moderatley close to the LS, inexpensive, and extremely family friendly

Cool, I will check out the houses. Are there any areas I should avoid?

[Knock]

My vote:

[dr123]

kkk;po

[r6_philly]

My vote:

Well I am not presumptuous enough to put that on the poll, but you know where our hearts are.

[quakeroats]

I would personally hold off on making a decision until you have visited each school, and completed your spreadsheet. Look it over, compare the notes on the spreadsheet to how you felt on each campus. You might realize that you like one of them better. Personally, if you like one over the other- thats the winner.

There is no wrong choice. You have done well, sir

There is a wrong choice and its name is Michigan. Unless you want to end up in the Midwest, UVA is the better choice.

[09042014]

Mich probably has slightly more access to CA firms. But with the Loyola Patent Interview Program, and SFIPLA (the SanFran patent fair), I'd be shocked if was 50K worth of difference.

[AreJay711]

Mich probably has slightly more access to CA firms. But with the Loyola Patent Interview Program, and SFIPLA (the SanFran patent fair), I'd be shocked if was 50K worth of difference.

This. I didn't really care much for UVA but I'd be there with that large a difference.

[Law Sauce]

For IP, short of stanford, I'd go to Berkeley.

I'm sure that you already know this r6, but just get them to match. I think that you you could do it.
http://www.law.berkeley.edu/6957.htm

[r6_philly]

For IP, short of stanford, I'd go to Berkeley.

I'm sure that you already know this r6, but just get them to match. I think that you you could do it.
http://www.law.berkeley.edu/6957.htm

I am waiting on scholarship notifications at Boalt. Even if they match 90k, UVa will still be quite a bit cheaper, especially if I can't establish residency. I will of course try, but in the mean time I am trying to compare the other options in case Boalt ends up being sticker or close to it. You never know about these things obviously, I only want to get excited about what's definite.

[09042014]

For IP, short of stanford, I'd go to Berkeley.

I'm sure that you already know this r6, but just get them to match. I think that you you could do it.
http://www.law.berkeley.edu/6957.htm

Not if you are looking at 90K from UVa, and zero from Berkeley.

That matching programs is mostly myth. Boalt gives out subpar merit aid.

Also subtle anti Northwestern Trolling Boalt, very subtle.

[r6_philly]

Mich probably has slightly more access to CA firms. But with the Loyola Patent Interview Program, and SFIPLA (the SanFran patent fair), I'd be shocked if was 50K worth of difference.

This. I didn't really care much for UVA but I'd be there with that large a difference.

Thanks guys. This is my guess as well. I appreciate you saying so, since I don't really know much about Michigan and what it offers at this point.