NYU sticker vs Northwestern $$$ Forum

[TUP]

With deposit deadlines approaching, I'm trying to eliminate some of my options.

I currently have sticker at NYU or $90k at Northwestern.

I have savings to cover living expenses in Chicago and probably NYC (if not, this is offset somewhat by Northwestern's higher tuition/fees). I will be looking at ~$160k debt from NYU or ~$70k debt from Northwestern not accounting for any 2L earnings or NYU's 1L public interest funding.

I go back and forth on big law vs PI/gov, and would like to keep both options open (especially big gov like DOJ or SEC). While big law chances seem comparable between the two, NYU seems to have quite the advantage for PI/gov.

Other than the cheaper CoL, I'd prefer NYC to Chicago, although I've only been to NYC and Chicago as a tourist. I also have an interest in the DC and California markets, but I'm not sure either do better than the other there.

Do I go after ranking or $$$?

Edited: Bumping this again ... what if my goal is district clerkship > big law lit > USAO? I realize the odds are low anywhere, but does NYU significantly increase the chances over Northwestern? Short of that, I'm interested in a few different federal orgs, but left that out of the OP as I realize it's subject to change during law school.

[bdubs]

There seemed to be quite a number of people in this spot at the Northwestern ASW. I think for you it sounds like NYU is TCR, it leaves you much more career flexibility (DC and CA), is in the city you prefer, and (I think) has a better LRAP if you decide to go down the PI/gov route.

[HeavenWood]

There seemed to be quite a number of people in this spot at the Northwestern ASW. I think for you it sounds like NYU is TCR, it leaves you much more flexibility, is in the city you prefer, and (I think) has a better LRAP if you decide to go down the PI/gov route.

On the other hand, if you can't stomach 160k in debt, Northwestern wouldn't cripple your career goals either. It all depends on how debt averse you are.

[CanadianWolf]

Northwestern.

[ahduth]

I'm excited to be laying money down at NYU, but... Northwestern. 90k will feed you for a long time.

[AppsAbound]

Northwestern. Great job prospects, great people, and if you don't live downtown chicago, lower costs of living.

[Moxie]

NYU is better for NYC and PI, but 90k is a huge difference in cost. I'd vote Northwestern, because you'd be closing few doors relative to the difference of 90k.

[thecilent]

If you want to work in nyc, then nyu. If you want chi or some other ttt location, then nu

[TUP]

Any other opinions?

[bk1]

If you're set on PI/gov or CA/DC then I think I'd lean NYU. I feel that NYU's prestige will help you in those areas and could be worth the cost.

For NYC/Chi biglaw I don't think NYU is worth the additional cost.

[TUP]

Bumping this again ... what if my goal is district clerkship > big law lit > USAO? I realize the odds are low anywhere, but does NYU significantly increase the chances over Northwestern? Short of that, I'm interested in a few different federal orgs, but left that out of the OP as I realize it's subject to change during law school.

[09042014]

Bumping this again ... what if my goal is district clerkship > big law lit > USAO? I realize the odds are low anywhere, but does NYU significantly increase the chances over Northwestern? Short of that, I'm interested in a few different federal orgs, but left that out of the OP as I realize it's subject to change during law school.

NYU and NU are actually pretty even in clerking. Columbia and NYU's lead in big lag, doesn't carry over into clerking.

NYU's better for big law, but nowhere near 90K better.

I'm not sure about federal gigs, I'm not sure there is a huge amount of data on that. NYU's normal PI rep is mostly for non prophets right? I don't think it apply for Fed Gov.

NYU isn't worth 90K over NW.

[bk1]

NYU's normal PI rep is mostly for non prophets right? I don't think it apply for Fed Gov.

NYU's LRAP covers: (2) for a government agency, nonprofit organization, or international non-governmental organization

[09042014]

NYU's normal PI rep is mostly for non prophets right? I don't think it apply for Fed Gov.

NYU's LRAP covers: (2) for a government agency, nonprofit organization, or international non-governmental organization

I know LRAP covers it. I'm saying that their public interest reputation is mostly about placing into non profit groups, and that there probably isn't a huge bump over CC in government hiring.

I think it's weird to lump PI in with government. They are too different.

Also nobody called me out for using "non prophet" in my first post. I'm a retard.

[flexityflex86]

I think it all depends on how badly OP wants NY.

[TUP]

Northwestern is still winning the poll. My preference for NYC over Chicago is mostly due to weather. Other than that, I don't really have a preference, and it seems like Chicago would have a higher QOL. I've only been to each once or twice and briefly.

I'm actually still considering the two LA schools with $$$ due to weather, but in this economy it seems prudent to follow job prospects.

[bk1]

NYU's normal PI rep is mostly for non prophets right? I don't think it apply for Fed Gov.

NYU's LRAP covers: (2) for a government agency, nonprofit organization, or international non-governmental organization

I know LRAP covers it. I'm saying that their public interest reputation is mostly about placing into non profit groups, and that there probably isn't a huge bump over CC in government hiring.

I think it's weird to lump PI in with government. They are too different.

Also nobody called me out for using "non prophet" in my first post. I'm a retard.

You made a typo, I completely misread your statement. I'd say it's wash. I didn't realize you were saying NYU's reputation and not NYU's LRAP.

As for gov, NYU (and not sure if this is due to self selection) seems to be middle of the pack in the T14 for gov percentage placement (behind GULC/Yale/Berkeley/Virginia), but NU seems to be at the back of the pack.