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I've been accepted to UIowa and Ohio State and I am on several waitlists: Minnesota, Notre Dame, Indiana - Bloomington, William & Mary, Washington & Lee, Emory, U Wisconsin, & Wake Forest.

Was also accepted to UCBoulder, UMaryland, UHouston but I withdrew from all.

I am thinking about committing to either UIowa or OSU but can't decide. OSU has nationally ranked programs in Dispute Resolution and Legal Writing but it's overall rank is 35, compared to UIowa - 27. Also, the average starting private salary is lower at UIowa.

I wouldn't mind living in either place, I'm just wondering how important absolute rank is.

No difference. choose which state you like better/school that leaves you with less debt.

I would choose Ohio State. Better name rec. and more options.

9/10 times, Ohio State is a better choice than Iowa.

The difference in rank doesn't matter here.

I'd pick OSU because of the scholarship and Ohio has a few decent cities in which to live and practice. But in fairness, I don't really know anything about Iowa.

Do you think I'm going to be regionally-bound regardless of which school I pick?

kevinbacon wrote:Do you think I'm going to be regionally-bound regardless of which school I pick?

Neither of them even travel far enough to get to Chicago. I wouldn't pay sticker, or near sticker for either.

UIowa hasn't offered me anything yet. OSU would be only living expenses. Thinking about committing to OSU then waiting it on the 7-8 waitlists I'm on...

kevinbacon wrote:UIowa hasn't offered me anything yet. OSU would be only living expenses. Thinking about committing to OSU then waiting it on the 7-8 waitlists I'm on...

You have full tuition scholarship to OSU, or are you in-state with parents helping out? Either way, if you only have to pay living expenses it seems like OSU is definitely the way to go.

Scholarships covering all of tuition and my parents are going to be helping out with living so, I figure that going to OSU and graduating debt free is better than having to take out loans, even if they are minimal, to go to UIowa.

I'm still going to stick it out on my waitlists though, Minnesota and Notre Dame especially.

kevinbacon wrote:I've been accepted to UIowa and Ohio State and I am on several waitlists: Minnesota, Notre Dame, Indiana - Bloomington, William & Mary, Washington & Lee, Emory, U Wisconsin, & Wake Forest.
...
I wouldn't mind living in either place, I'm just wondering how important absolute rank is.

Where do you want to work?
And what would be your total cost at both?

I want to work in a city/urban setting. Not really sure of much more than that.

Total costs:

OSU - 12K per yr
UIowa - 35K per yr

OSU.
Columbus is a pretty decent city.
And the cost differences are pretty huge.

OSU is your best option no doubt.

The diff. in ranking means nothing. The diff. in average salary, well.. those statistics are completely and utterly unreliable. IA gets firms to come to OCI that are largely from IA and MN. Also from IL, MO, KS, WI, NE, SD. Different region than OSU is in. Because region is unimportant for you, OSU for the win, because of the lower cost.

Went to a UIowa Admitted Students/Alumni event last night and met the Dean. Rank seems negligible at this point, but I definitely enjoyed talking with the former students. The price difference is pretty severe but I am waiting on an award package/financial aid from UIowa.

Although, Columbus looks cooler every day...

Definitely still on the fence. All of your comments are appreciated though and I am trying to break away from the influence of the USNWR!

kevinbacon wrote:Do you think I'm going to be regionally-bound regardless of which school I pick?

I think the general consensus is you have to assume that going in, but if you do really well then you won't be regionally-bound. So, go to Ohio State with that cheap COA, work your ass off, and finish near the top of your class!