Columbia ($115k) v. Mich ($60k) v. TX (>$20k) Forum

[awahoya]

Columbia ($115k) v. Mich ($60k) v. TX (>$20k)
These numbers are all CoA.

I’m currently in my second year out of undergrad teaching English in Japan. My legal work experience is minimal, but I’m extremely interested in the international programs at Columbia (and at Michigan too). I know a little about Texas’ offerings, but am less excited about them regardless.

Having gone to school in DC, I have a number of friends/connections there and in NYC. I’m from Austin, and would love to spend some time there, but my interests (international businesses, firms, and govt.) lie in DC/NYC.

I’d like to work on the east coast (read: DC/NY) or abroad. I’m not obsessed with the idea of BigLaw, but would like a reasonable way to pay off the debt that I incur. I could see myself working super hard in LS to get a BL job, then heading into govt. (if possible), an NGO, or business after a few years (what’s the avg. burnout rate for biglaw associates, something like 3 years?).

I would love the opportunity to clerk, but am likewise not obsessed with the idea. Academia holds little interest for me.

It seems like from the perspective of networking/academics that Columbia would be a solid choice, and it’s long been one of my top choices (with NYU). Michigan is an appealing option, but I’ve never been to Ann Arbor, have no connections to it, and to be honest, am a bit turned off by the idea of the cold (yes, NYC is freezing as well, but I feel worth it).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[WhirledWorld]

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[Dany]

I'd definitely go to Columbia. That's a great COA for a T6 school, and I think it'll be best for your goals.

[jtemp320]

You know what I think...

[awahoya]

Thanks for the responses!!! That's very much the direction I'm leaning!

[adt231]

I'd go with Columbia if I were you. 55k extra to pay for Columbia over Michigan is a lot, but with much smaller than normal COAs its not as big of a deal (i.e. if you were looking at 175k vs 120k, I think the choice would be much harder). If you suck at law school for whatever reason, you probably can land A small firm job SOMEWHERE and pay off your loans eventually (this is not the case with higher COAs). The extra pay offs and you being happy at Columbia/in NYC seems to be worth the extra cost here.

[awahoya]

I'd go with Columbia if I were you. 55k extra to pay for Columbia over Michigan is a lot, but with much smaller than normal COAs its not as big of a deal (i.e. if you were looking at 175k vs 120k, I think the choice would be much harder). If you suck at law school for whatever reason, you probably can land A small firm job SOMEWHERE and pay off your loans eventually (this is not the case with higher COAs). The extra pay offs and you being happy at Columbia/in NYC seems to be worth the extra cost here.

Agreed, thanks!


Have deposited at Columbia. Thank you all for your help!