UNC for free or Penn sticker? Forum

[qed2011]

I'm looking to do either a JD/Master's in Bioethics (Penn) or JD/MPH (UNC).

UNC's public health school is number 2 in the country, and I currently have a free way of going (see below) to the law school. I could also live debt-free in Chapel Hill (I'm in-state). I could finish the JD/MPH in 4 years.

I was just accepted to Penn, which is my first choice. Their bioethics program is amazing. I could finish both in 3 years. Penn's campus/program appeals to me more. However, looking at ~250k of debt vs. no debt is really scaring me.

I know I want to do health law, although I am undecided whether I'd like to do Biglaw firms or gov/policy stuff more.

I'll be graduating UG debt-free. My UG is a similar institution to Penn (private research university in questionable urban neighborhood).

(edited for clarity)

[Moral_Midgetry]

I'm not calling you a liar but I was under the impression that scholarship offers at UNC have not gone out yet. I'm a little confused.

[qed2011]

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[Moral_Midgetry]

Sorry, should clarify (I'm new).

They haven't gone out yet. I'd be paying in-state tuition, but with my stats I am almost definitely receiving some scholly money (sorry if that sounds haughty? I'm way above both 75% margins). My parents, because they would like me to stay close to home, have volunteered to pay for the rest of it. No such offer for Penn.

I figured something along those lines. Go with no debt.

[johnnyutah]

No debt is hard to turn down.

[MrKappus]

If you're OK w/ living in the South, hard to see how UNC isn't TCR.

[qed2011]

I'm totally fine with living in the South for the next 3-4 years (and Chapel Hill is more the "South"). But I'm pretty sure I don't want to live there forever, which is what I'm worried about with a UNC JD.

[Moral_Midgetry]

UNC has some reach on i95 and a strong alumni network. With some leg work you can make it to DC or less likely to NY.

[soullesswonder]

Hmm...four years in Chapel Hill for free, or pay $250k for the privilege of living in Philly for three years. Is there a question in there?

In all seriousness, go to UNC. Your upside is more limited, but aside from the opportunity cost of work there is literally no downside. It wouldn't be the dumbest thing in the world to go to Penn, but you'd have to have the stones of a riverboat gambler.

[qed2011]

Thanks, everyone. I realize that I have one of the best (stupidest? snobbiest?) problems there could be. I know in my head that UNC should be the choice, but I'm in love with the idea of Penn (and-yes!-Philly). 250k in love? Probably not.

Just as an experiment: if I wasn't getting scholarship money/parent help and was paying UNC (in-state) sticker at roughly 120k for 4 years, would I still be right to turn down Penn? (That is, if the difference was 130k instead of 250k).

[Fresh]

Just as an experiment: if I wasn't getting scholarship money/parent help and was paying UNC (in-state) sticker at roughly 100k for 4 years, would I still be right to turn down Penn?

Given an inch and taking a _____________ ?
Lol no need to speculate on this question unless it's the actual scenario, in which case a bunch more questions would need to be asked.

edited for grammar

[DeeCee]

Questions like this make me want to tell you to go to Penn.

[qed2011]

Questions like this make me want to tell you to go to Penn.

Why, is that your version of hell? Point taken.

[johnnyutah]

Just as an experiment: if I wasn't getting scholarship money/parent help and was paying UNC (in-state) sticker at roughly 120k for 4 years, would I still be right to turn down Penn? (That is, if the difference was 130k instead of 250k).

TLS need not reach this question on the facts before us.

[DeeCee]

Questions like this make me want to tell you to go to Penn.

Why, is that your version of hell? Point taken.

No, I'm actually applying to both. However, when you have an option to go to a good school for free versus a little better school for 200k, I think there is no question what you should do, which is to go for free.

but, if you go to Penn I have a better shot at UNC, my top choice so please consider it.

[qed2011]

Questions like this make me want to tell you to go to Penn.

Why, is that your version of hell? Point taken.

No, I'm actually applying to both. However, when you have an option to go to a good school for free versus a little better school for 200k, I think there is no question what you should do, which is to go for free.

but, if you go to Penn I have a better shot at UNC, my top choice so please consider it.

Aren't TLSers supposed to be the ultimate prestige whores? #7 v. #28 doesn't seem to be a matter of "a little better." Not that that changes the financial situation. Best of luck to you at UNC!

[soullesswonder]

Just as an experiment: if I wasn't getting scholarship money/parent help and was paying UNC (in-state) sticker at roughly 120k for 4 years, would I still be right to turn down Penn? (That is, if the difference was 130k instead of 250k).

TLS need not reach this question on the facts before us.

Screw judicial restraint

I'd still go to UNC on the hypothetical. I'm pretty sure that as a 4-year joint degree candidate you'd get to go through OCI twice, which would somewhat offset the significantly lower probability of landing a high paying legal job out of UNC - and of course, you'd still be taking on only half the debt.

[DeeCee]

Questions like this make me want to tell you to go to Penn.

Why, is that your version of hell? Point taken.

No, I'm actually applying to both. However, when you have an option to go to a good school for free versus a little better school for 200k, I think there is no question what you should do, which is to go for free.

but, if you go to Penn I have a better shot at UNC, my top choice so please consider it.

Aren't TLSers supposed to be the ultimate prestige whores? #7 v. #28 doesn't seem to be a matter of "a little better." Not that that changes the financial situation. Best of luck to you at UNC!

Both are great schools with great programs. I can honestly say I will weigh whatever schools I get into versus UNC because you cannot beat the in-state tuition (I'm in-state, too).