Columbia with $30K vs. Northwestern with $75K Forum

[jman77]

So I have to decide whether or not to deposit at Northwestern tomorrow. I am still considering one other school, but that option is contingent on some things happening (not too optimistic at this point).

I would like to practice in Southern California after law school. I am also pretty debt averse. In addition to the difference in scholarships, I figure cost of living would be lower in Chicago compared to NYC. However, I seem to be under the impression that it would be easier for me to get back to SoCal from CLS.

Edit: I have visited both schools and liked CLS better. I also liked NYC better than Chicago (the fact that it was raining and foggy in Chicago during the ASW might have had something to do with that). I probably will end up in Big Law for awhile (I don't have much choice on this matter) regardless of which school I attend. But again, I am pretty debt averse. Is the difference in COA enough to justify picking NW over CLS?

I would appreciate your votes and more importantly, your thoughts. Thanks!

[camelcrema]

We met at Columbia's ASW, so really the only reason I voted CLS is because I think you want to be there

[lakerfanimal]

I envy your position. I have 90k from Northwestern and 0 from Columbia, same deposit deadline tomorrow. This kept me up for maybe an hour last night, but every single factor for me besides money swings in Columbia's favor. Literally every single factor. Think about the factors that favor CLS for you, and ask yourself is that worth 45k to you? (not just 45k now, but also 45k over your whole life because that's how long you'll have this degree, assuming you don't transfer)

[jtemp320]

I picked CLS with a much larger $ gap between the two...Was it a good decision? We shall see...

[sgtgrumbles]

This is a no-brainer. Columbia all the way.

[jman77]

lakerfanimal: Did you try to negotiate with CLS? That's how I got the $30K, using my Northwestern offer, ironically. I did not have any other offers to leverage since I got WL'd pretty much everywhere between CLS and Northwestern. Still waiting to hear from NYU.

jtemp: I know, you turned down the Wigmore. Hehe. Gutsy move, man.

[bk1]

If you're actually debt averse you should go to a worse school with a larger scholarship.

Since you don't actually seem to be truly debt averse (seriously, the most debt averse option you are considering is going to leave you in nearly 150k debt?) I think you should take CLS considering you prefer it for various reasons and 150k debt at NU is still soulcrushing.

[jman77]

I probably understand the rationale for those who voted for CLS. Would any of those who voted for Northwestern mind sharing their reasons?

[sgtgrumbles]

I probably understand the rationale for those who voted for CLS. Would any of those who voted for Northwestern mind sharing their reasons?

They saw a poll and like clicking buttons.

Edit: Columbia definitely has more prestige and thus a wider reach, making SoCal more attainable. Columbia will give you a far better chance at biglaw, so you don't have to bite your nails about being in the top 25%. Columbia has a location you prefer. If you had 100k or more from NU you might have a tough decision on your hands. As it is all signs point to Columbia as the better option.

[jman77]

If you're actually debt averse you should go to a worse school with a larger scholarship.

Since you don't actually seem to be truly debt averse (seriously, the most debt averse option you are considering is going to leave you in nearly 150k debt?) I think you should take CLS considering you prefer it for various reasons and 150k debt at NU is still soulcrushing.

I do have a full scholly at WUSTL and $89K from Vandy, but almost everyone I've spoken with, including actual practicing lawyers, have advised me those schools are still not worth it considering my objectives. I wish I had some better options at lower schools, but my cycle has really been a weird one.

[WhirledWorld]

.

[jman77]

I probably understand the rationale for those who voted for CLS. Would any of those who voted for Northwestern mind sharing their reasons?

They saw a poll and like clicking buttons.

Edit: Columbia definitely has more prestige and thus a wider reach, making SoCal more attainable. Columbia will give you a far better chance at biglaw, so you don't have to bite your nails about being in the top 25%. Columbia has a location you prefer. If you had 100k or more from NU you might have a tough decision on your hands. As it is all signs point to Columbia as the better option.

Makes sense. I see from your LSN profile that you also got money from NU. I assume you've written that option off since you have NYU?

[Dany]

I probably understand the rationale for those who voted for CLS. Would any of those who voted for Northwestern mind sharing their reasons?

They saw a poll and like clicking buttons.

This. These polls are generally useless.

OP, I'd pick Columbia.

[bk1]

I do have a full scholly at WUSTL and $89K from Vandy, but almost everyone I've spoken with, including actual practicing lawyers, have advised me those schools are still not worth it considering my objectives. I wish I had some better options at lower schools, but my cycle has really been a weird one.

This is true, but saying you are debt averse (at least in my opinion) doesn't mean anything unless you have an option that is 100-120k debt or less. Above that and you are pretty much forced into biglaw/LRAP or bust.

Since you want SoCal and don't have an appreciable scholarship offer from UCLA/USC I say take CLS but realize that the debt you are forsaking your debt aversion for your SoCal desire.

[lakerfanimal]

lakerfanimal: Did you try to negotiate with CLS? That's how I got the $30K, using my Northwestern offer, ironically. I did not have any other offers to leverage since I got WL'd pretty much everywhere between CLS and Northwestern. Still waiting to hear from NYU.

jtemp: I know, you turned down the Wigmore. Hehe. Gutsy move, man.

Yeah I sent them offers from Duke and Cornell and I got 0 from CLS. Was yours need based? My EFC is more than 10k so I think that may have hurt me.

[jman77]

lakerfanimal: Did you try to negotiate with CLS? That's how I got the $30K, using my Northwestern offer, ironically. I did not have any other offers to leverage since I got WL'd pretty much everywhere between CLS and Northwestern. Still waiting to hear from NYU.

jtemp: I know, you turned down the Wigmore. Hehe. Gutsy move, man.

Yeah I sent them offers from Duke and Cornell and I got 0 from CLS. Was yours need based? My EFC is more than 10k so I think that may have hurt me.

Not 100% sure, but their letter said it was a scholarship (actually, 2 separate ones - I negotiated their initial offer). That's actually another factor that draws me to CLS: they have been very responsive and positive to my negotiations; Northwestern just flat out said no, although they did explain the rationale.

[lakerfanimal]

lakerfanimal: Did you try to negotiate with CLS? That's how I got the $30K, using my Northwestern offer, ironically. I did not have any other offers to leverage since I got WL'd pretty much everywhere between CLS and Northwestern. Still waiting to hear from NYU.

jtemp: I know, you turned down the Wigmore. Hehe. Gutsy move, man.

Yeah I sent them offers from Duke and Cornell and I got 0 from CLS. Was yours need based? My EFC is more than 10k so I think that may have hurt me.

Not 100% sure, but their letter said it was a scholarship (actually, 2 separate ones - I negotiated their initial offer). That's actually another factor that draws me to CLS: they have been very responsive and positive to my negotiations; Northwestern just flat out said no, although they did explain the rationale.

Wth haha. NW has been a lot nicer in terms of financial aid to me than CLS has been. Weird...

[jman77]

I do have a full scholly at WUSTL and $89K from Vandy, but almost everyone I've spoken with, including actual practicing lawyers, have advised me those schools are still not worth it considering my objectives. I wish I had some better options at lower schools, but my cycle has really been a weird one.

This is true, but saying you are debt averse (at least in my opinion) doesn't mean anything unless you have an option that is 100-120k debt or less. Above that and you are pretty much forced into biglaw/LRAP or bust.

Since you want SoCal and don't have an appreciable scholarship offer from UCLA/USC I say take CLS but realize that the debt you are forsaking your debt aversion for your SoCal desire.

The weird thing is that I got WL'd at USC and got the exact same money from UCLA that CLS has offered.

[bk1]

The weird thing is that I got WL'd at USC and got the exact same money from UCLA that CLS has offered.

Nothing came from haggling with UCLA or LOCI+haggling with USC?

I'm assuming you tried since you did it with CLS.

[jman77]

The weird thing is that I got WL'd at USC and got the exact same money from UCLA that CLS has offered.

Nothing came from haggling with UCLA or LOCI+haggling with USC?

I'm assuming you tried since you did it with CLS.

Just got WL'd at USC Monday, still considering whether to do the video LOCI thing. Believe me, I have tried with UCLA. They have been very responsive, just not positive.

[jman77]

So I've decided not to deposit at Northwestern today. Thank you too all who weighed in.

[Dany]

So I've decided not to deposit at Northwestern today. Thank you too all who weighed in.

Congrats on making the decision! Enjoy Columbia/NYC. (I'd have made the same call.)

[ahduth]

The weird thing is that I got WL'd at USC and got the exact same money from UCLA that CLS has offered.

Nothing came from haggling with UCLA or LOCI+haggling with USC?

I'm assuming you tried since you did it with CLS.

Really? UCLA is... confusing.

[jman77]

So I've decided not to deposit at Northwestern today. Thank you too all who weighed in.

Congrats on making the decision! Enjoy Columbia/NYC. (I'd have made the same call.)

Thanks! I initially regretted letting that money go in the immediate aftermath, but now I'm very happy with my decision.

[dakatz]

I'm very debt averse, but a difference in 45K? I'd pick Columbia.

Edit: And it looks like you would as well. Congrats on your choice.