UCLA or GW Forum

[Jumborific]

Here's the situation. I have been accepted at BU, BC, UCLA, and GW, and withdrew from the Boston schools. I am fortunate in that I will not be assuming any debt in paying for law school.

I am interested long term in federal criminal prosecution and eventually running for office in my home state of Colorado, but would be open to doing BigLaw or In House stuff in LA, Denver, or Boston for a few years out of school to make some dough. Have narrowed it down to GW and UCLA based on school's reputations.

My grandparents live in LA, and my girlfriend of four years (and someday perhaps more than that) will be in med school in Seattle, so at this point I'm leaning UCLA. I have enough good contacts to return to CO later on. Thoughts?



(this is all unless I get in off the wait lists at Harvard or Columbia in which case all bets are off)

[bk1]

If you want to work in LA, Denver, or Boston why are you even considering a regional school in DC? Why isn't UC Boulder (ideally with a decent scholarship) an option if Denver is the primary place you want to be?

Of these two, since you are okay with LA and don't want to DC, it is pretty obviously UCLA.

[Jumborific]

I don't want to go to CU, because I grew up in Boulder, and based on the research I have done and the attorneys I have talked to, CU just isn't on the same level as some of the other schools on my list. I applied there and was accepted, but that was a safety.

[bk1]

I don't want to go to CU, because I grew up in Boulder, and based on the research I have done and the attorneys I have talked to, CU just isn't on the same level as some of the other schools on my list. I applied there and was accepted, but that was a safety.

In general it isn't. However since we are talking specifically about employment in Denver, CU is a good option for that. UCLA and GW are not worth sticker so if you could keep your debt down to 100k or less by going to CU, that would be a much better option than UCLA at sticker.

[sch0123]

With debt not an issue, I'd choose UCLA. If you were waitlisted at Columbia and Harvard, though, I'm surprised you don't have any T-14 options.

[fingersxd]

I don't want to go to CU, because I grew up in Boulder, and based on the research I have done and the attorneys I have talked to, CU just isn't on the same level as some of the other schools on my list. I applied there and was accepted, but that was a safety.

In general it isn't. However since we are talking specifically about employment in Denver, CU is a good option for that. UCLA and GW are not worth sticker so if you could keep your debt down to 100k or less by going to CU, that would be a much better option than UCLA at sticker.

OP noted that debt is not an issue for him (sugar-momma? ha-ah) That said, UCLA is likely the way to go. But it's strange that you would get rid of the Boston schools if you had an interest in being in Boston, but would keep GW despite not having any interest in being in DC.

[dpk711]

UCLA.

[bk1]

OP noted that debt is not an issue for him (sugar-momma? ha-ah) That said, UCLA is likely the way to go. But it's strange that you would get rid of the Boston schools if you had an interest in being in Boston, but would keep GW despite not having any interest in being in DC.

I realize now that I missed that. I think I just say "sticker" in the poll title and assumed OP was paying full boat.

It begs the question how is debt not an issue? If it is parentals or other family members covering the cost then sure take UCLA, but if it is being paid for with personal savings then getting a scholarship means keeping that savings and using it for other things. So which is it?

[Jumborific]

I want to respond to a couple good points raised

a) my folks are paying

b) no other t-14 options because I was 3.9/164 and applied in late January. I got into UCLA off of wait-list

c) as for why I withdrew at Boston schools, Boston is a city I like, but I have been there for 5 years already, having attended Tufts. So what I meant was, if I have been practicing for a few years and I get engaged or something and my girlfriend tries to go there to do her residency or something, I could see going back, but it's not a goal of mine at this point.

All good counsel. Muchos Thankyous

[bk1]

Since your folks are paying and you're a 3.9/164 with a January app I think, assuming they would be willing to pay next year, that you should retake/reapply with an ED to the lower T14 school of your choice. Unless you think you've capped out at 164. The difference between UCLA and a lower T14 is huge and I think it is definitely worth giving it a shot. A lower T14 will make it easier for you to get LA, Denver, and Boston as opposed to UCLA which will most likely end you up in LA.

[sch0123]

I want to respond to a couple good points raised

a) my folks are paying

b) no other t-14 options because I was 3.9/164 and applied in late January. I got into UCLA off of wait-list

c) as for why I withdrew at Boston schools, Boston is a city I like, but I have been there for 5 years already, having attended Tufts. So what I meant was, if I have been practicing for a few years and I get engaged or something and my girlfriend tries to go there to do her residency or something, I could see going back, but it's not a goal of mine at this point.

All good counsel. Muchos Thankyous

I'd go to UCLA if you have your heart set on enrolling in law school this fall. That said, if you can wait a year and reapply, I'd study properly, retake the LSAT, and submit all my apps in October. If you get a 167, you have a decent shot at Berkeley I'd think. If somehow you get a 170, you'll be a viable applicant at every school in the country (minus Yale).

[fingersxd]

I'd go to UCLA if you have your heart set on enrolling in law school this fall. That said, if you can wait a year and reapply, I'd study properly, retake the LSAT, and submit all my apps in October. If you get a 167, you have a decent shot at Berkeley I'd think. If somehow you get a 170, you'll be a viable applicant at every school in the country (minus Yale).

+1.

Increasing your LSAT by just a few points would give you much better opportunities academically and eventually professionally. Also, you can pretty much count on receiving some sort of scholarship (even if it isn't all that substantial). Even though your parents are paying, I bet they'd appreciate having to pay 30k+ less!

[TheFutureLawyer]

Since your folks are paying and you're a 3.9/164 with a January app I think, assuming they would be willing to pay next year, that you should retake/reapply with an ED to the lower T14 school of your choice. Unless you think you've capped out at 164. The difference between UCLA and a lower T14 is huge and I think it is definitely worth giving it a shot. A lower T14 will make it easier for you to get LA, Denver, and Boston as opposed to UCLA which will most likely end you up in LA.

+1

Also want to say that the three people (so far) who have chosen GW sticker over UCLA sticker are not worth listening to.