UTexas Sticker (48k annual) vs. SMU w/ scholy (37k annual) Forum

[smithc2011]

So I was just offered admission to U Texas off the waitlist, and am weighing my options. After analyzing the expected COAs, it will probably be closer to $12,000 more a year (SMU's COA is more generous, perhaps unreasonably so), with a total expected indebtedness of 110k at SMU vs 146k UT Austin.

Thoughts?

[bk1]

Your thread title is confusing because the CoA's are per year.

I'd definitely take UT over SMU in this case.

[smithc2011]

whoops. can I change that title?
I'm thinking I probably will, it's just a big curveball to be thrown in the planning.

[bk1]

whoops. can I change that title?
I'm thinking I probably will, it's just a big curveball to be thrown in the planning.

Edit the first post and you can change the title.

[Aberzombie1892]

That's an interesting one. Certainly, Texas is better than SMU, but SMU isn't exactly a slouch in terms of Texas placement. I would say, if you want Dallas I would consider SMU - it's in Dallas, and you could work at firms in Dallas over the summer (and save yourself $$$ by not having to move over the summer).

If you want Houston, Austin, or NYC, go to Texas. However, Austin is very hard to get. So keep all of that in mind.

[smithc2011]

That's an interesting one. Certainly, Texas is better than SMU, but SMU isn't exactly a slouch in terms of Texas placement. I would say, if you want Dallas I would consider SMU - it's in Dallas, and you could work at firms in Dallas over the summer (and save yourself $$$ by not having to move over the summer).

If you want Houston, Austin, or NYC, go to Texas. However, Austin is very hard to get. So keep all of that in mind.

Right. I went to undergrad just outside of Austin, and love the area, but I realize it's going to be hard to find a job in Austin with the pay I'll want to get out from under that debt. I'm assuming Texas places significantly better in Big/Midlaw?
I'm thinking $$ terms more than softs. I feel like I can reasonably expect to make up the difference over 10 years in salary, but maybe that's naive.

[de5igual]

Cost difference is only $36K?

UT

[Aberzombie1892]

That's an interesting one. Certainly, Texas is better than SMU, but SMU isn't exactly a slouch in terms of Texas placement. I would say, if you want Dallas I would consider SMU - it's in Dallas, and you could work at firms in Dallas over the summer (and save yourself $$$ by not having to move over the summer).

If you want Houston, Austin, or NYC, go to Texas. However, Austin is very hard to get. So keep all of that in mind.

Right. I went to undergrad just outside of Austin, and love the area, but I realize it's going to be hard to find a job in Austin with the pay I'll want to get out from under that debt. I'm assuming Texas places significantly better in Big/Midlaw?
I'm thinking $$ terms more than softs. I feel like I can reasonably expect to make up the difference over 10 years in salary, but maybe that's naive.

Significantly better? "Noticeably better" is better than "significantly better." SMU generally has over half of its class making $100,000 or so and Texas has about half of its class making $130,000 or so. As I said, if you want Houston, Austin, or NYC, Texas is the way to go. If you want Dallas or any other Texas metropolitan area aside from Houston and Austin, SMU wouldn't be a bad choice.

In 2011, Texas placed 10% more in big law (NLJ 250) than SMU. Regardless, Texas' advantages really come into play outside of Texas (and in Houston). Be aware that both place very well in mid law in Texas (better than U of Houston/Baylor/every other Texas school). Pretty much, I would consider Dallas/texas areas that aren't Houston and austin versus Houston/Austin/NYC.

[bartleby]

Um...this shouldn't even be a question unless you absolutely hate Austin AND have a compelling reason to stay in Dallas (i.e. oil baroness fiancee won't let you go an hour away)

[bergg007]

There is no good reason to go to SMU over UT. One thing people continually fail to realize is that UT rules all of Texas. SMU is good and does place well in the Dallas area but every year SMU grads get passed over for big Brother UT. There is no question here. Texas all the way.

This is not a smack on SMU it is a fine school, but you are talking about a T-14(?) or a T-50


Hook 'em Horns!

[smithc2011]

yeah the more I think about it, the more this might become a "Hey SMU, more money please?" type situation.
which apparently is unlikely to work. It's probably just a psychological thing, with paying sticker. Thank god for in-state tuition.

Thanks for the input guys.

[Hannibal]

Go with SMU. Prestige doesn't matter, Glory Fades.

Not really. Just wanted the put that last part.

[Lord Randolph McDuff]

People say UT is better for Dallas than SMU but I would beg to differ. If you are top 25% at either school, you would rather be at SMU for Dallas biglaw. I have friends at SMU law (I live in San Antonio, lived in Dallas a few years back) and they all got market rate in Dallas. I know they talked about how easy it was to network.

Now I think if you are at the bottom of the classes you would rather be at UT. UT is all around far better for Texas than SMU, its just Texas has a lot of jobs and SMU is in a fine position as well.

[Bustang]

Absolutely UT. There shouldn't even be a discussion.


I would go to UT even if SMU was free.

[3ThrowAway99]

Absolutely UT. There shouldn't even be a discussion.

[Corwin]

UT without a doubt. SMU is a great regional school, but 36K simply isn't enough to warrant the difference between SMU and UT. If it was a full right at SMU, it would be a hard decision.