UCLA vs. Gtown vs. Cornell Forum

FlanAl · Post by **FlanAl** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:14 am

At this point all are at full price (I am a California resident though).

My first choice would be Southern California biglaw but since I will need any biglaw job period to pay off the debt I'm not going to be too picky about California.

I have strong California ties. I don't really like LA all that much though (but can deal with it).

My girlfriend of 6 years will be in New York for at least the next two years but the industry she works in is pretty NYC focussed so she might be there for longer.

Some brief thoughts on each school:
UCLA- got in a day after I went up for an interview. I didn't sugar coat my interview at all and was still accepted so I like that. I have a lot of friends in LA so I will be able to get away from law school if I need to. I'll be able to network in the market that I want to practice in way easier. I really like surfing and would be able to go pretty often. It is really far from my girlfriend. Living in LA is expensive. Its placement stats aren't all that great.

Gtown- Got pretty set to attend while I was waiting on ucla and cornell. It was really a "not the best option, but a great option" scenario. I really like the idea of being able to walk down the street to the supreme court and all the other stuff that DC has to offer in that regard. The massiveness, job stats and overall pessimism on TLS about it have me kinda wary though.

Cornell- Got in off reserve with no LOCI's or anything so it was a great confidence booster. Their placement stats are pretty good this year. I like the idea of having few distraction during 1L. Hate the idea of having few distraction for 2L and 3L. I spent undergrad in a pretty cold part of the word (scotland) but have never been anywhere like upstate NY. Like the Ivy prestige but feel like Cornell doesn't carry it as much as the other ones.

So this will be my last one of these kinds of posts. I really appreciate all the advice that I have gotten from TLS during my cycle and want to thank anyone who posts in this thread in advance!

Z3RO · Post by **Z3RO** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:54 am

What are your goals? Do you want PI or biglaw? I ask it that way, because those are gonna be your only financially viable choices out of these schools.

Orthodox wisdom says: if you want PI - Gtown. If you want biglaw - Cornell. If you really want to stay in Cali, stick with UCLA.

To be fair - I'm an 0L.

bk1 · Post by **bk1** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:06 am

Cornell. Best biglaw stats. Close to gf. NYC right after law school might even trump LA if your gf has to stay there.

woeisme · Post by **woeisme** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:10 pm

In your shoes ..

Cornell > UCLA > GULC.

WSJ_Law · Post by **WSJ_Law** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:19 pm

LOL. First of all, congrats on having nice options. This almost reminded me of an LSAT writing sample prompt. Secondly, for the reasons BK stated (as an exemplary writing sample framework), go to Cornell.

mrwarre85 · Post by **mrwarre85** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:22 pm

I want to get off the wait list at Cornell, but it sounds like Cornell is your best bet. Damnit.

Unless your SO and you really want to work in Southern Cal after school... Then maybe one of the other two..

FlanAl · Post by **FlanAl** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:25 pm

hey thanks for all the advice so far!

anyone know how I can add a poll retroactively?

bk1 · Post by **bk1** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:28 pm

FlanAl wrote:hey thanks for all the advice so far!

anyone know how I can add a poll retroactively?

Edit the OP. The poll creation stuff is at the bottom.

MC Southstar · Post by **MC Southstar** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:29 pm

Gecko of Doom · Post by **Gecko of Doom** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:19 pm

I'm confused. Your first choice is SoCal biglaw, but you don't really like LA? What are your other options in SoCal? It's not like there's a huge biglaw market in San Diego, is there?

Anyway, based on your situation and that of your girlfriend, I'd go with Cornell.

FlanAl · Post by **FlanAl** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 2:47 am

Gecko of Doom wrote:I'm confused. Your first choice is SoCal biglaw, but you don't really like LA? What are your other options in SoCal? It's not like there's a huge biglaw market in San Diego, is there?

Anyway, based on your situation and that of your girlfriend, I'd go with Cornell.

SD and Orange county are my first choice. Haha I definitely realize that they are small and hard to crack but yeah my first choice will be my toughest.

Curry · Post by **Curry** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:36 am

If you split your bidding between NY, LA, and OC, you are going to get killed at OCI at Cornell. You need to decide if getting a job in socal is worth more to you than increased ability to get a job anywhere. If it is, go to UCLA. If its not, go to Cornell.

ndirish2010 · Post by **ndirish2010** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:56 am

Cornell and focus on NYC.

CanadianWolf · Post by **CanadianWolf** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:04 am

Agree with Z3RO's post above.

If you are determined to live & work in Orange County or San Diego, then UCLA is your best option.

Cornell is an Ivy League school with a Big Ten culture. Competitive & somewhat intense law school environment among those aiming for NYC biglaw. Nobody will doubt your work ethic or qualifications with a Cornell Law degree, however.

FlanAl · Post by **FlanAl** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 12:32 pm

Curry wrote:If you split your bidding between NY, LA, and OC, you are going to get killed at OCI at Cornell. You need to decide if getting a job in socal is worth more to you than increased ability to get a job anywhere. If it is, go to UCLA. If its not, go to Cornell.

What if I split it between SD and NYC? Will I still get slaughtered? Thanks a ton for that insight I don't really know how the OCI process works so anymore insight on splitting bids would be really helpful

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