BU vs Vandy vs UIUC Forum

[TheSteelKid]

So I just got into BU and Vandy off of the waitlist and they are quickly applying the pressure on me! I have gotten $10k/year from BU and they said they are serious about the possibility of increasing their offer. Their deposit is due tomorrow (Wednesday, June 1st)! Vanderbilt has offered me $8,000 a year and I will talk to them tomorrow about increasing their offer. Their deadline is Friday, June 3rd. I have received 35k/year from UIUC and really like Chicago but being that I am 24 I want to live in a city right now and am not particularly excited about Champaign, Illinois!

I would like to work in a big market whether it be Chicago, Boston, NYC, DC or LA/San Francisco. At any rate, I'm not really willing to take on a lot of debt. With a 3.25 and a 170 do you think I can get more $$ out of BU/ Vandy? Thanks for you attention!

[JamMasterJ]

is it 10K total or per year at BU, and is the 35K at Illinois total or per year? If it's total, I'd go Vandy easily, but if you can get like 15-20K/yr at BU, then I'd go there.

[Magnolia]

Vandy seems to place more weight on the GPA than the LSAT when giving out money, so you're not a strong candidate for a large scholarship. They also don't negotiate. It's worth a try to ask for more money, but it's unlikely that you'll get anything.

[TheSteelKid]

is it 10K total or per year at BU, and is the 35K at Illinois total or per year? If it's total, I'd go Vandy easily, but if you can get like 15-20K/yr at BU, then I'd go there.

I don't have any interest in being in the south so I'm wondering if that is a deal breaker for Vandy...I have to research them more, PRONTO!

[tothePAIN]

At those prices, Vanderbilt is TCR unless you definitely do not want to be in the South. Where do you want to practice?

[TheSteelKid]

At those prices, Vanderbilt is TCR unless you definitely do not want to be in the South. Where do you want to practice?

What does TCR mean??

And no, I have no intention on practicing south of Washington D.C., unless we are talking West Coast.

[TheSteelKid]

is it 10K total or per year at BU, and is the 35K at Illinois total or per year? If it's total, I'd go Vandy easily, but if you can get like 15-20K/yr at BU, then I'd go there.

sorry for the confusion! all the stated numbers are per year. 35k.year at illinois, 8k/year at vandy and 10k/year at BU

[Magnolia]

At those prices, Vanderbilt is TCR unless you definitely do not want to be in the South. Where do you want to practice?

What does TCR mean??

And no, I have no intention on practicing south of Washington D.C., unless we are talking West Coast.

The Credited Response.

No desire to work in the south + higher scholarship = BU

[tothePAIN]

At 35k / year, I'd actually say go to UIUC. Thats a 75k tuition difference + COL difference. We're talking 90k difference. If you're fine with the midwest, UIUC.

[JamMasterJ]

yeah, I think you need to go to Illinois unless BU gives you about 20K per

[TheSteelKid]

yeah, I think you need to go to Illinois unless BU gives you about 20K per

Im thinking 20k a year is my cutoff. If i can get that out of them, BU gets a great look from me.

Also, my UIUC scholly and Vandy scholly are both GUARANTEED. My BU scholly is subject to staying in good academic standing, which I presume to mean top half of the class.

[TheSteelKid]

At 35k / year, I'd actually say go to UIUC. Thats a 75k tuition difference + COL difference. We're talking 90k difference. If you're fine with the midwest, UIUC.

Fine with the midwest? Not necessarily. But id love to work in Chicago.

[tothePAIN]

Standard good academic standing is basically not failing out.

UIUC would be a bet on Chicago.

[thexfactor]

I think it is a tossup between vandy and UIUC. Is vandy worth 75k more? I would pay a little extra for a 10-15% higher biglaw chance. Unlike UIUC, Vandy also places well back east.

[coldshoulder]

Definitely Boston. It's a great school with decent scholly and your avoiding the south.

[thexfactor]

Definitely Boston. It's a great school with decent scholly and your avoiding the south.

You might also avoid a biglaw job at BU.lol
The cost of attending vandy and BU is basically the same. I would take vandy.

[coldshoulder]

Definitely Boston. It's a great school with decent scholly and your avoiding the south.

You might also avoid a biglaw job at BU.lol
The cost of attending vandy and BU is basically the same. I would take vandy.

Employment prospects from BU for biglaw in both Boston and nyc are fantastic. Look at their numbers. If he wants to avoid the south at all costs, vandy has more risk.

[thexfactor]

Definitely Boston. It's a great school with decent scholly and your avoiding the south.

You might also avoid a biglaw job at BU.lol
The cost of attending vandy and BU is basically the same. I would take vandy.

Employment prospects from BU for biglaw in both Boston and nyc are fantastic. Look at their numbers. If he wants to avoid the south at all costs, vandy has more risk.

long term NLJ250 rates +clerkship are better for vandy as compared to BU.

[skers]

Definitely Boston. It's a great school with decent scholly and your avoiding the south.

You might also avoid a biglaw job at BU.lol
The cost of attending vandy and BU is basically the same. I would take vandy.

Employment prospects from BU for biglaw in both Boston and nyc are fantastic. Look at their numbers. If he wants to avoid the south at all costs, vandy has more risk.

[Grizz]

How debt averse are you? With a sub 3.3, you're honestly lucky to get into Vandy and BU.

[coldshoulder]

Definitely Boston. It's a great school with decent scholly and your avoiding the south.

You might also avoid a biglaw job at BU.lol
The cost of attending vandy and BU is basically the same. I would take vandy.

Employment prospects from BU for biglaw in both Boston and nyc are fantastic. Look at their numbers. If he wants to avoid the south at all costs, vandy has more risk.

long term NLJ250 rates +clerkship are better for vandy as compared to BU.

Of course, but both schools are regional. Even without biglaw going to BU will more likely place the OP in a good job outside of the south. If he was okay with the possibility of southern employment, obviously vandy would be the better choice.

[Grizz]

Of course, but both schools are regional. Even without biglaw going to BU will more likely place the OP in a good job outside of the south. If he was okay with the possibility of southern employment, obviously vandy would be the better choice.

Yeah but at these prices, probably a better idea to maximize biglaw employment ANYWHERE.

[TheSteelKid]

Of course, but both schools are regional. Even without biglaw going to BU will more likely place the OP in a good job outside of the south. If he was okay with the possibility of southern employment, obviously vandy would be the better choice.

Yeah but at these prices, probably a better idea to maximize biglaw employment ANYWHERE.

There is definitely sense to this statement but i dont want a lot of debt and i dont want to be in the south! If vandy tells me they're not able to offer more $ its unlikely that i will go.

[TheSteelKid]

I think it is a tossup between vandy and UIUC. Is vandy worth 75k more? I would pay a little extra for a 10-15% higher biglaw chance. Unlike UIUC, Vandy also places well back east.

Why do people think vandy outplaces BU in biglaw when the nlj numbers say theyre the same?

[TheSteelKid]

So ive submitted my deposit to BU and am desperately hoping I receive more money. If not, it looks like Im UIUC bound. UIUC will only cost me 30k over 3 years but with only 10k a year it looks like BU will cost around 100k over three years....i need more $$!