Top Law Schools

I have some money saved up so the following amounts are for loans I'd have to borrow:

Northwestern - sticker (180k debt)
Boston College - 15k/year scholly (105k debt)
Iowa - full tuition scholly (20k debt)

I am open to work in any mid-size or large legal market. Big law would obviously be nice for a few years, but I am also interested in clerkships.

Primary focus is a good job that will allow me to manage my debt repayment. Thoughts on the above schools? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Iowa doesn't seem like a bad option for you. I think you can get rid of BC.

How limited are Iowa's job opportunities?

If you only want firms or clerking you basically forced your hand. Go to NW.

Iowa probably has more clerkships set up with Iowa alumni in the state and close by than Northwestern does. Northwestern's clerkships would be more badass, most likely, but your odds of actually getting one out of Northwestern are quite slim. Take the option where you're not royally screwed by debt.

It's tough, although understandable in your situation, to turn down Northwestern. The quandry, of course, is that your post law school options will be both limited & expanded if you attend Iowa on a full tuition & fees scholarship---limited by OCI opportunities & expanded by freedom from debt.

P.S. I voted for Northwestern, but I would select NU over any other Top 14 law school except for Stanford or Yale.

Do you mind living and working in iowa for most of the rest of your career?

Is this the full ride scholly at Iowa with the top 1/3 stipulation? That's pretty important info to include.

Are there stipulations on Iowa's scholarship?

JOBS - While I would like to work for a firm or clerk during my summers in law school and after graduation, I am still undecided on what specific area of law I will practice. As a result, I may move in another direction and am looking to attend the school that will provide me with opportunities and still be an intelligent financial investment.

IOWA - I don't want to live and work in Iowa after graduating, and the scholarship is full tuition the first year (no stip), full tuition the second and third years as long as I work at least 10 hours/wk in a research assistant position they provide.

If you don't want to work in iowa I wouldn't go to iowa. And, of course nu is far better for big firms and the better clerk positions. You have to decide if the money is with it.

Try to grab more money from BC by leveraging Iowa's offer.

At what cost difference (discount) do you think BC becomes a better option than NU?

Do you think BC would be likely to increase its offer with information about an Iowa full ride? How soon should I approach this?

BC with a full tuition & fees scholarship becomes a better option than NU at sticker price. I doubt that BC will pay attention to an Iowa scholarship option simply because many applicants will pay full tuition to attend BC law due to its location. But, you'll never know unless you try.

P.S. Last USNews showed BC's acceptance rate at 20% versus 44% for Iowa. Location matters, apparently.

Do you think the NU acceptance would help get more money from BC? Should I mention it along with the Iowa scholly or just mention one or the other?

In my opinion, Boston College doesn't need to "buy" students since so many well qualified applicants want to live in the Boston area. Make a polite inquiry & see what happens. Be open & honest.

Try leveraging both Iowa and NW against BC. I think if you could get BC's debt under 6 figures it may be worth considering over NW at 180k.

What do you think the total economic value difference is in attending Northwestern vs. BC?

I wouldn't pass up T14 for a mere 15/year scholarship. Though Iowa is tempting.

Is this even being asked seriously? NU is the clear and only choice.

There are a number of questions asked by people in similar situations where they are deciding between T-14 and a 20-30 with $. I think the poll and discussions in this thread indicate that the question is indeed a serious one. I would value your reasoning behind why NU is the clear and only choice.