UF or FSU? Forum

[Bill Cosby]

It's getting closer and closer to time to make a final decision, so which way should I go?

I really enjoyed my tour of FSU and left with a much better impression that I had coming it. It seems like a great learning environment and the 15k one-year scholarship offer certainly doesn't hurt matter.

On the other hand, UF is clearly the superior school in terms of placement and I definitely like Gainesville better just driving around. I'm also interested in tax law, which UF has a good program for. I'm just not sure I can justify paying sticker with that offer from FSU sitting out there.

I'm an out-of-state (though hoping to reclassify as in-state for 2L and 3L), if that makes any difference.

[Bill Cosby]

I see a few people have voted, but no one is posted. Anyone care to share their reasoning?

[mez06]

Tax Law = UF. And this is coming from a Seminole UG

[wesker]

tallahassee is a miserable place to spend 3 years

[mez06]

tallahassee is a miserable place to spend 3 years

A comment of ignorance.

[FeelTheHeat]

tallahassee is a miserable place to spend 3 years

Gainesville sucks. See what I did there?

Anyways, its a lifestyle choice, man. Not a big enough difference outside of tax law to definitively say one school over the other. This subject has been discussed a LOT on TLS, if you do a little bit of research you'll find it has been covered in depth with far more relevant discussion than the junk above.

[Slevin Kelevra 2011]

Miami an option?

[Bill Cosby]

Miami an option?

Not one I'm seriously considering. Even if I can keep the scholarship all three years, higher tuition and higher COL makes it roughly the same as UF at sticker. UF > Miami, so yeah...

[legalmo]

Is there any way you can negotiate with UF using the 15k scholarship? Maybe if they give you something, even if they don't match FSU's offer, you'll be more inclined. It sounds like you want to go to UF more but are trying to be financially responsible (good for you btw). FWIW I hear Gainesville is quite cheap (relative to Miami, at least) and pretty fun. Can't really speak about Tallahassee though.

Good luck!

[Bless]

You have a tough choice on your hands, especially because you're coming from OOS.

There is no black & white answer. Both place excellently in Fla. Go with your instincts. Based on what you're telling us, it sounds like that would be FSU. I'm an FSU alumn and have a friend at FSU law. If you have any questions about the school, feel free to ask.

[Bill Cosby]

Thanks for the offer, Bless, and for the kind words, legalmo.

Alternatively, should I be considering Georgia State (w/ in-state tuition) more seriously?

[trialjunky]

IF you're seriously interested in tax then there is no real choice...UF.

[Bless]

IF you're seriously interested in tax then there is no real choice...UF.

This is true.

[aznsensation1]

i'm a UF undergrad right now, and can tell you Gainesville is cheaper than Tally in terms of rent (unless you expect to live just north of the stadium - which is unnecessary honestly)

as for the rest, i'd definitely say UF for their tax law. they also just opened up a new mock courtroom (kindly donated by mr. levin - thanks for the $80 million), which is amazing.

im also currently trying to decide between uf and fsu (fsu offered more $$, which weighs the ball slightly to their court) but its a tough call...

[Sandro]

If you are OOS wouldnt it make sense to go to FSU ? Have fun trying to network in Gainesville as opposed to the state capitol. With both of these schools you wont be drowning in offers thrown at your feet and will have to put in work to get jobs.

[FSUAlumniAtlanta]

Both are great schools if you are wanting to practice in Georgia or Florida. Your interest in tax should have little or no bearing on what school to attend. This is because if you plan to specialize in tax, you will inevitable pursue an LLM. Where you receive an LLM from DOES matter -- and UF is the clear choice. However, no law firm looking to hire someone to handle tax matters will care that you received your JD from Florida (or Florida State). It only matters where the LLM is from. Anyone who disputes that has never practiced law.

In my opinion (and everyone will have one), the primary factors should be (when comparing very similar schools such as UF and FSU) be limited to 1) your comfort level with the schools, 2) costs, and 3) which football team you prefer. Seriously, when it comes to job prospects and opportunities in general, UF and FSU are equals.

As for UM and Georgia State. Both great schools, but not as good as UF and FSU. (With the caveat that Georgia State may be a viable option is wanting to work in Atlanta, especially given the very cheap tuition).

Best of luck.

[leidice]

...

[kwais]

To say that it doesn't matter where you go for tax because of the LLM when UF is #2 for Tax in the entire country is ridiculous. Many of the most cited profs in all of tax teach at UF. Study with them.

[Mickey Quicknumbers]

Yeah, but FSU only looks cool from like one angle. So you have to think that too.

[FuManChusco]

To say that it doesn't matter where you go for tax because of the LLM when UF is #2 for Tax in the entire country is ridiculous. Many of the most cited profs in all of tax teach at UF. Study with them.

yeah, specialty rankings don't matter much, but for a tax LLM the obvious answer is UF.

[leidice]

...

[FSUAlumniAtlanta]

Not to get involved in a pissing contest, but like I said -- anyone who disputes that where you go to get your pre-LLM law degree has not practiced law.

When -- and IF -- someone wants to pursue a tax LLM, then where you go matters. As an aside, if you do well at any Top 100 law school, you can get any LLM in the nation (i.e., NYU, UF, Georgetown).

I have friends who went to UF law (and obviously friends at FSU Law) -- and both groups had a good experience.

[FuManChusco]

Not to get involved in a pissing contest, but like I said -- anyone who disputes that where you go to get your pre-LLM law degree has not practiced law.

When -- and IF -- someone wants to pursue a tax LLM, then where you go matters. As an aside, if you do well at any Top 100 law school, you can get any LLM in the nation (i.e., NYU, UF, Georgetown).

I have friends who went to UF law (and obviously friends at FSU Law) -- and both groups had a good experience.

I was under the impression you could do a joint JD/LLM if you went to Florida. I know some schools offer this. what you say is true though.

[Bill Cosby]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm waiting to hear back about scholarship offers before making a final call.

[northwood]

OP- have you visited both schools? If you did, which one did you like/ feel most comfortable at? I would go to whatever school you like the best. If its a tie- wait for the final numbers to be available to you, and go to the one thats least expensive. Both are great choices, while UF has an edge in the state job wise. IF you are a state resident, then you will have state tuition at both.