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cholza00 wrote:I have to be in the ATL area, this is non-negotiable. So the question is...what is the better decision?
My SO has an excellent job, so there will be no Cost of Living Expenses.

Emory (75k scholarship) - 55k total debt
UGA (7,500k scholarship + in-state) - 25k total debt

I would like to work in the state of Georgia (probably ATL) in a mid-size firm or in-house counsel, and eventually do government or PI work.
I may get some form of need based aid from these schools, my income was pretty low last year. (I think my FAFSA score was around 2000) I was wondering if anyone had any insight into that side of things for either of these schools? Is Emory worth the extra 30k?

normally i would uga> emory on costs alone, but 55k is so small, I would go for emory, personally.

Why waste 30k more for a toss-up? You'll be fine in ATL with UG or Emory, regardless. Take the low tuition and marginal difference, UGA hands-down.

Different environments & different class compositions. Visit both & your decision should be much easier. If, after visiting, you consider both equally attractive, then Georgia is the better option unless your SO is working in Atlanta.

Athens is a better place to spend three years in my opinion.

CanadianWolf wrote:Different environments & different class compositions. Visit both & your decision should be much easier. If, after visiting, you consider both equally attractive, then Georgia is the better option unless your SO is working in Atlanta.

I guess I should clarify a little...my SO is working in Atlanta... so the commute (from where we'd live) would be about 1-1:25hr to UGA or 30-40min to Emory. I am a few years out of undergrad so a little bit older environment would be all right. I am still pretty young though, so the other way wouldn't be that bad either. ha. I am also very curious about the financial aid I could expect from either school? That could be a deciding factor...

2L Emory student here.

For Georgia, Emory and UGA are a toss-up. I would argue that Emory might have a slight advantage in Atlanta, but UGA places better throughout the state. Either way, going to Emory or UGA puts you in a great position to work in Georgia.

Given the somewhat marginal cost in difference, I suggest you think about where you want to spend 3 years. Athens as a college town is fun. But Atlanta as a big city has more networking and internship opportunities. Emory has a great field placement program where you can do legal internships during the year for credit ( http://www.law.emory.edu/academics/acad ... lines.html) Also the ability to meet big-city lawyers during your lunch break is a huge advantage Emory has over Athens. Many of my friends have gotten jobs by hustling and networking in Atlanta, made easier by the fact they go to school in Atlanta.

wait - you are thinking about commuting an hour and a half to athens every day ? Thats 3 hours of your day in traffic, not to mention if you ever want to go home/class in the early morning you will be hitting gnarly traffic....

I have heard that you get better connections with a UGa law degree, but Emory prestige is pretty big in Georgia...

Sandro wrote:wait - you are thinking about commuting an hour and a half to athens every day ? Thats 3 hours of your day in traffic, not to mention if you ever want to go home/class in the early morning you will be hitting gnarly traffic....

I used to commute from Athens to Atlanta every day for work. It took two hours to get there every morning and over an hour and a half to get home. This was from downtown Atlanta to my apartment located about three miles from downtown Athens. I would think that the commute the opposite way may be easier, but one thing you can never count on is smooth traffic in Atlanta. I will tell you now, it kills your soul. I was so exhausted every day when I got home that I became a zombie.

jrose5 wrote:I have heard that you get better connections with a UGa law degree, but Emory prestige is pretty big in Georgia...

Emory undergrad has prestige to the educated. Uneducated people do not know what Emory is. I am from the middle of nowhere in Georgia, and no one ever talked about Emory. I had never even heard of the school until I was looking at colleges.

UGA Law, however, is considered prestigious in Georgia on par with Emory Law, from what I have heard/seen/read. Hiring partners at bigger firms may think differently, but that is the general consensus as far as lay prestige and even small firm partners that I have spoken to.

treeey86 wrote:2L Emory student here.

For Georgia, Emory and UGA are a toss-up. I would argue that Emory might have a slight advantage in Atlanta, but UGA places better throughout the state. Either way, going to Emory or UGA puts you in a great position to work in Georgia.

Given the somewhat marginal cost in difference, I suggest you think about where you want to spend 3 years. Athens as a college town is fun. But Atlanta as a big city has more networking and internship opportunities. Emory has a great field placement program where you can do legal internships during the year for credit ( http://www.law.emory.edu/academics/acad ... lines.html) Also the ability to meet big-city lawyers during your lunch break is a huge advantage Emory has over Athens. Many of my friends have gotten jobs by hustling and networking in Atlanta, made easier by the fact they go to school in Atlanta.

30k extra is not what i would describe as a marginal cost in difference. thats about 250-350 dollars a month for 10 years. That said, i still vote emory. you dont want to drive 1 and half hours a day.

Emory if the shorter commute is worth 10k/year to you. UGA if the 10k/year is worth more to you than the shorter commute.

I would take Emory and the shorter commute in this situation.

bk187 wrote:Emory if the shorter commute is worth 10k/year to you. UGA if the 10k/year is worth more to you than the shorter commute.

I would take Emory and the shorter commute in this situation.

I agree with bk on this. I think that the half commute may be worth the extra money. I also think it will allow you to perform better in school and help you pay that extra debt off when you graduate. That daily drive between Athens and Atlanta has a way of breaking people haha

treeey86 wrote:2L Emory student here.

For Georgia, Emory and UGA are a toss-up. I would argue that Emory might have a slight advantage in Atlanta, but UGA places better throughout the state. Either way, going to Emory or UGA puts you in a great position to work in Georgia.

Given the somewhat marginal cost in difference, I suggest you think about where you want to spend 3 years. Athens as a college town is fun. But Atlanta as a big city has more networking and internship opportunities. Emory has a great field placement program where you can do legal internships during the year for credit ( http://www.law.emory.edu/academics/acad ... lines.html) Also the ability to meet big-city lawyers during your lunch break is a huge advantage Emory has over Athens. Many of my friends have gotten jobs by hustling and networking in Atlanta, made easier by the fact they go to school in Atlanta.

Specifically speaking, where else in Georgia is there a decent legal market?

1.) you're not gonna get need-based aid from either, forget about it.

2.) for the love of god please do not try to live in atlanta and attend school in athens. you would have an easier time commuting to auburn.

That commute is going to be a killer. Honestly I think UGA is the smarter choice but I would heavily suggest finding an apartment close by. Emory places better outside the state so if you're ever thinking of leaving Emory will give you a better shot but in-state they are the same.

JerrySeinfeld wrote:

treeey86 wrote:2L Emory student here.

For Georgia, Emory and UGA are a toss-up. I would argue that Emory might have a slight advantage in Atlanta, but UGA places better throughout the state. Either way, going to Emory or UGA puts you in a great position to work in Georgia.

Given the somewhat marginal cost in difference, I suggest you think about where you want to spend 3 years. Athens as a college town is fun. But Atlanta as a big city has more networking and internship opportunities. Emory has a great field placement program where you can do legal internships during the year for credit ( http://www.law.emory.edu/academics/acad ... lines.html) Also the ability to meet big-city lawyers during your lunch break is a huge advantage Emory has over Athens. Many of my friends have gotten jobs by hustling and networking in Atlanta, made easier by the fact they go to school in Atlanta.

Specifically speaking, where else in Georgia is there a decent legal market?

If you are not looking for biglaw, a UGA Law degree can secure you a spot in Savannah, Macon, Augusta, Americus, Valdosta, etc., and can possibly even reach down to Jacksonville. I am currently working for a small firm in Athens where all (about 10) of the attorneys went to UGA Law.

I think the commute to Athens will be too big of a waste of time. Law school will be very demanding and time consuming.

Do not commute 3 hours per day.
$55k is still a very manageable amount of debt.
Go to Emory.

Sandro wrote:wait - you are thinking about commuting an hour and a half to athens every day ? Thats 3 hours of your day in traffic, not to mention if you ever want to go home/class in the early morning you will be hitting gnarly traffic....

Exactly!

binghamtonalum wrote:Why waste 30k more for a toss-up? You'll be fine in ATL with UG or Emory, regardless. Take the low tuition and marginal difference, UGA hands-down.

C/O 2010 NLJ 250 Placement
Emory= 20%.
UGA= 10%.

This is huge. Its not a waste of 30k.