[Please delete] Forum

[WhirledWorld]

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[sonervous88]

UVA offered me 35k per year, or 105k total. Penn offered me $74,420 over three years in a merit/financial need package. They were going to offer me a 75k Wilson, but offered me this instead. It works in my favor by front-loading the debt (15.5k as a 1L, 12.5k as a 2L, 8k as a 3L), meaning less interest. Penn also offered me an additional 7500k in low interest rate (5%) loans (at least the first year, I think renewable per year).

Penn's tuition is maybe a grand higher; Penn housing might be $100-300/mo more from what I can tell.

I'm wondering if Penn is worth the extra ~30k.

Other considerations:
• GF lives in NJ, near NYC, though she might find a job in DC.
• I'd prefer Philly to Charlottesville, though not strongly
• I think either places about equally, but I'd like to move back to the Midwest eventually
• My career plans are biglaw, lateral transfer into a more relaxed firm or into in-house.

I feel like Penn isn't worth the 30k, but I'm unsure and open to advice.

this is a very personal choice. i'm going to upenn so i think you should go to upenn too lol that being said you can't go wrong. good luck!

[WhirledWorld]

Bump.

[Aberzombie1892]

I don't like UVA's preselect OCI. I know it's not a big deal, but it would be a deal breaker for me (in comparison to UPenn's lottery).

Realistically, it's up to you. I wouldn't plan on DC from either. I'm fairly certain that UPenn has more strength in the northeast in general than UVA, but I could be wrong.

I would go with UPenn.

[Dany]

I feel like Penn isn't worth the 30k, but I'm unsure and open to advice.

I'd agree with this and say go to UVA. If you really loved Penn and/or hated UVA, Penn certainly wouldn't be a bad choice, but as it is I'd just take the extra $30k and enjoy UVA.

[WhirledWorld]

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[Aberzombie1892]

I don't like UVA's preselect OCI. I know it's not a big deal, but it would be a deal breaker for me (in comparison to UPenn's lottery).

Realistically, it's up to you. I wouldn't plan on DC from either. I'm fairly certain that UPenn has more strength in the northeast in general than UVA, but I could be wrong.

I would go with UPenn.

I don't get what the problem with the preselect OCI is – doesn't it prevent you from wasting your time with employers who wouldn't hire you anyways and slot you into jobs that are the best fit for where you're at?

Yes, but the most desirable candidates would likely take slots from individuals that had really good shots with certain firms and were it not for the most desirable candidates taking their slots, those candidates would likely get the job.

I agree that you don't want to waste time though.

[005618502]

I don't like UVA's preselect OCI. I know it's not a big deal, but it would be a deal breaker for me (in comparison to UPenn's lottery).

Realistically, it's up to you. I wouldn't plan on DC from either. I'm fairly certain that UPenn has more strength in the northeast in general than UVA, but I could be wrong.

I would go with UPenn.

I don't get what the problem with the preselect OCI is – doesn't it prevent you from wasting your time with employers who wouldn't hire you anyways and slot you into jobs that are the best fit for where you're at?

Yes. People who actually go to the school (from what I have heard and who I have spoken with at ASW) do not mind the system at all.

Though this decision should just be preference. I dont think the difference in $$ is that big of a deal here. I would chose which ever you like the most upon visiting (i guess that would be Penn) and which places the best where you want to live (though between these 2 I would guess its self selection).

^^wow that didnt help at all haha sorry

[005618502]

Just curious... 171, 3.9 I would expect there to be a CCN and maybe even HYS acceptance somewhere.... have you narrowed it down already or....

[WhirledWorld]

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[Dany]

Yeah, I certainly think either of these options is better than CCN sticker.

[WhirledWorld]

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[trudat15]

I picked UVa because more money for peer schools, esp if you dont really have a huge preference.
Also - Doesnt front loading debt actually work against your best interests (interest accrues while you are in school, unless all your loans are subsidized).

[WhirledWorld]

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[vanwinkle]

Given your personal reasons, I say go to Penn.

[HeavenWood]

Given your personal reasons, I say go to Penn.

Being close to your SO and living in an environment you enjoy could be worth 30k over three years. But keep in mind that Penn's COL is significantly higher as well. It wouldn't be crazy for you to pick Penn, but I can certainly understand your trepidation.

[CanadianWolf]

Because your significant other may find a job in or near WashD.C., this seems like a draw. Visit both & decide based on your needs & preferences since your SO seems flexible.

[Law Sauce]

Penn has a smaller class size and you seem to like philly, And low interest is nice. I'd say penn.

[WhirledWorld]

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[WhirledWorld]

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[Law Sauce]

Ignore the money difference, which school do you want to go to? go to that one.

[dpk711]

Given your slight preference I'd say come to Penn. See you in the fall.

[WhirledWorld]

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[bfaiken]

Ignore the money difference, which school do you want to go to? go to that one.

How could I ignore $40,000? I mean, I like Philly better than Charlottesville, and if my GF doesn't find a job in DC, Penn will be way closer to her, but in the long run it's still $40k.

FWIW, I chose UVA over Penn (though the difference was larger - about 75k total). My choice was mostly about fit - UVA's ASW was great and just felt natural. I actually have my master's from Penn and enjoyed my time in Philly as well, so I'm not down on it as well.

I think the choice for you really comes down to your gf. I don't know how big a factor that is for you. If this is your future wife (and by that I mean you've discussed it, gone ring shopping, etc) then you probably need to go to Penn. If this is someone you care about but you're just not at that point yet, I wouldn't let it sway your decision (hard as that might be). In terms of job prospects, they're both very similar and I don't think either gives you a big edge over the other, unless you really want the Philly market (which you don't).