BU (150k) or Fordham (193k) for NY? Forum

[NYC Law]

Long time lurker here.

Title says it all, should I go to BU or Fordham if I really want NYC big law?
Fordham is only about 20,000 more than BU due to some scholarship money.

This seems like a no-brainer for Fordham, but I can't help but be a little swayed by all the good press BU gets, the somewhat higher prestige, and increased job opportunities elsewhere in the country. But I think I would really like my first legal job to be in New York City.

Thank you in advance

ETA: The second I made a final decision on Fordham I get an email from BU offering $10k a year. This makes things more difficult

ETA II: Fordham upped it to $7.5k

[Cupidity]

I'm the biggest BU proponent on this site, and I say this is a no brainer. Forham 100%

[Slevin Kelevra 2011]

Fordham.

[danquayle]

I'm the biggest BU proponent on this site, and I say this is a no brainer. Forham 100%

But BU is 8 spots higher on the US News!!!

[jpSartre]

neither youre paying too much

[FF55]

I am making a similar decision, but my COA's are lower:

BU ($135k COA)
Fordham ($174k COA)

Strongly prefer NYC, but a $40k difference is tough to stomach, though perhaps not as tough to stomach as 3+ years living in Boston.

[Cupidity]

I am making a similar decision, but my COA's are lower:

BU ($135k COA)
Fordham ($174k COA)

Strongly prefer NYC, but a $40k difference is tough to stomach, though perhaps not as tough to stomach as 3+ years living in Boston.

Why the boston hate?

[FF55]

Hard to describe -- I feel like all of its historical significance can be overpowering, as if the city is stuck in time. I also grew up near Boston, so maybe that is playing a role...?

But there's no doubt that BU is a strong school. Their faculty and staff are the best I've dealt with in this whole admissions game.

[Grizz]

neither youre paying too much

[NYC Law]

Just got a scholarship from BU ($10k/year). Does this change anything?

[BU2013]

Depends what "really" is. Are you certain you want NY, is anything else a distant second, if so, go to Fordham. However, if you wouldn't mind working somewhere else, BU is a better school, and now cheaper.

[2011Cycle]

Just got a scholarship from BU ($10k/year). Does this change anything?

No. For what you want, the number of NY OCI frtims at BU is one-fifth that of Fordham. The 603 bucks per month in loan payment over 10 years is not worth it. It's truly a binary choice. Either you are going to make 125 plus coming out of each or 40k. Why hedge on location for 11k/yr. pre-tax

[NYC Law]

Fordham just increased my scholarship too.

[fingersxd]

Just got a scholarship from BU ($10k/year). Does this change anything?

No. For what you want, the number of NY OCI frtims at BU is one-fifth that of Fordham. The 603 bucks per month in loan payment over 10 years is not worth it. It's truly a binary choice. Either you are going to make 125 plus coming out of each or 40k. Why hedge on location for 11k/yr. pre-tax

One-fifth? Doesn't sound quite right...

That said, if you are set on attending this year and absolutely HAVE to be in NYC, then Fordham is probably the best bet here (though I would squeeze every penny you can out of them).

However, I do agree with some previous posters that this much debt is A LOT for either school. I hate to say it, but would you consider retaking & reapplying? You could, at the very least, get a ton more $.

[blsingindisguise]

Fordham.

However I would add one thing in response to what was said upthread: don't confuse number of NYC firms attending OCI with chances at NYC biglaw. Remember that for a firm to send someone to an NYC school's OCI is a cab or subway ride and maybe a meal. To send a rep to Boston is a train ride and a hotel room. But many of those firms will still gladly interview BU kids with good grades if they send their resumes. Meanwhile, there will be years where a firm sends someone to Fordham without actually hiring anyone from Fordham.

Fordham's shot at NYC biglaw is better, but there's no way it's 5x better.

[NYC Law]

Fordham.

However I would add one thing in response to what was said upthread: don't confuse number of NYC firms attending OCI with chances at NYC biglaw. Remember that for a firm to send someone to an NYC school's OCI is a cab or subway ride and maybe a meal. To send a rep to Boston is a train ride and a hotel room. But many of those firms will still gladly interview BU kids with good grades if they send their resumes. Meanwhile, there will be years where a firm sends someone to Fordham without actually hiring anyone from Fordham.

Fordham's shot at NYC biglaw is better, but there's no way it's 5x better.

Yeah I agree with this.

I sent in my second deposit to ... Fordham. I just realized I don't actually have any desire to be in Boston, I was only considering it because I got wrapped up in marginal prestige differences. And the networking advantages of actually being in NYC during school can't be beat.

Not going to retake/reapply, I got really good results for my numbers and I don't want to jinx it. Fordham with a small scholarship isn't guaranteed financial suicide, it's just a big gamble.