U of M ($$) or UW-Madison (???$) Forum

[metallaura]

University of Minnesota 3 year COA = $41,646 or UW-Madison which MIGHT give me a scholarship (they said all funds have been disbursed but if someone withdraws, they give that $ to new students so there is a possibility) I'm in-state so 3 year COA = $54,147 and only a possibility of scholarship.

Additional Info:

Wisconsin is where my family lives, but it would be cool to go to a new city (I've never lived outside of the state)
I want to go into one or more of the following: public interest law, criminal law, immigration, labor and employment, constitutional law
Either way I have not found a place to live
My U of M $750 deposit is due TOMORROW (7/20) by 4:00pm

OMG talk about a rock and a hard place! HELP TLS Thank you!

[minnbills]

Congrats on the great option! I'm hoping to have the same dilemma when I apply this fall.

Minneapolis is a great city, I don't think you can make a wrong decision here. I'm guessing that COA includes housing right?

[CanadianWolf]

COA probably does not include cost-of-living expenses, but OP should address this question soon. Tough choice. But, if you plan to practice in Wiscosin, then Madison is the better choice since you are not required to sit for the bar exam.

P.S. You have done well this cycle with a 160, although your GPA is strong.

P.P.S. After reading your lawschoolnumbers.com profile, I understand why Minneapolis-St. Paul might also be a great area for you. Tough call with no wrong decision. Congratulations !

[metallaura]

Congrats on the great option! I'm hoping to have the same dilemma when I apply this fall.

Minneapolis is a great city, I don't think you can make a wrong decision here. I'm guessing that COA includes housing right?

COA does not include the anything besides tuition. As far as housing goes, the rents are about the same in both areas.

[metallaura]

COA probably does not include cost-of-living expenses, but OP should address this question soon. Tough choice. But, if you plan to practice in Wiscosin, then Madison is the better choice since you are not required to sit for the bar exam.

P.S. You have done well this cycle with a 160, although your GPA is strong.

P.P.S. After reading your lawschoolnumbers.com profile, I understand why Minneapolis-St. Paul might also be a great area for you. Tough call with no wrong decision. Congratulations !

Thanks much What on my LSN profile made you think that? I know talk about a HARD LAST MINUTE decision. Yeah, and my 160 was the first and only time I took the LSAT. I SHOULD have retaken, I'm sure I would have gotten a few points higher which would have meant earlier acceptance, more $$ and therefore easier decisions.

[CanadianWolf]

Your profile notes that you are president of your university's LGTQB organization. The Twin Cities was recently rated as the most gay friendly city in America which prompted Jay Leno to point out that San Francisco is screaming "What do we have to do ?".

[Verity]

UMN, and it's not even close.

[bk1]

Want to work in MN => UM
Want to work in WI => UW

[Verity]

Want to work in MN anywhere other than WI => UM
Want to work in WI => UW

FTFY

[metallaura]

Your profile notes that you are president of your university's LGTQB organization. The Twin Cities was recently rated as the most gay friendly city in America which prompted Jay Leno to point out that San Francisco is screaming "What do we have to do ?".

Lol I didn't know that. Madison is also very LGBTQ friendly.

[firemed]

Is the cost listed for UM have a scholly with stipulations included?

[minnbills]

I went with MN.

While you don't have to take the bar in WI, supposedly the MN exam is really easy as 99% of UMN grads pass on the 1st try. I don't think their placement stats are all that different, though WI might have the edge in biglaw.

The lower COA makes UMN the winner IMO. Though make sure to add in the yearly fees and stuff. I'm not sure if WI charges a lot in fees but UMN kind of piles it on, so just be aware of that.

[loblaw]

I looked at both programs as well, and I would really go with Minnesota here.

[metallaura]

Thanks everyone . WI was my first choice but UMN really threw a wrench in those plans. (I didn't expect to get into UMN let alone such a great scholly) AHHH NEED MORE TIME TO THINK! :/

[firemed]

Thanks everyone . WI was my first choice but UMN really threw a wrench in those plans. (I didn't expect to get into UMN let alone such a great scholly) AHHH NEED MORE TIME TO THINK! :/

Seriously, is there a stipulation on GPA for the price you quoted for UMN? Because if there is I would go with UW hands down. But I ain't going to vote till I know one way or the other.

[metallaura]

Yeah, the GPA stipulation is 2.5

[firemed]

Yeah, the GPA stipulation is 2.5

Where is their curve set? Is that median, or below median?

[metallaura]

Yeah, the GPA stipulation is 2.5

Where is their curve set? Is that median, or below median?

http://www.law.umn.edu/careers/grades.html

Looks like 3.0 is mean.

http://www.law.umn.edu/uploads/76/ba/76 ... 0-2011.pdf

[Verity]

Go have a good time spending less money at a better school in a truly awesome city.

[metallaura]

Go have a good time spending less money at a better school in a truly awesome city.

Thanks, it's just that WI "MIGHT" give me a scholarship? What the heck is that. WI does things different than any other school (that I know of). They don't require a seat deposit (which is good for those accepted but NOT good for those on the waitlist) and they don't send out scholly info with admit letters. How are you supposed to make a decision?

That's what makes this such a hard decision.

Pros of WI:
Don't have to take the WI Bar
In-state tuition is guaranteed 18k
Might? get scholly? If I do it may cost less than MN
Close to family & friends
Great clinical programs
LOVE the city of Madison

Cons of WI
Tuition could skyrocket with the state budget issues and republican control of Madison
Lower ranked (but still Tier 1)
No guarantee of scholly, likely to cost more than MN w/out scholly

Pros of MN:
With in-state reciprocity + scholly = 13,882 per year with only 2.5 gpa requirement
Higher ranked
Great area
Chance to live outside of WI
Being away from family and friends may produce fewer distractions to study

Cons of MN
Would have to take the Bar wherever I decide to practice (likely MN or WI)
6 hour drive to visit family and friends (and my dog)
If I lose my scholly, I would be paying A LOT (but let's hope that doesn't happen)


I guess I have A LOT of research to do tonight since I have to decide by tomorrow! :/ Thanks again everyone!

[firemed]

Okay, that stipulation isn't bad at all. IMO: Go to MN, and take your dog with you.

[CanadianWolf]

Where do you want to live & work after law school ?

[Verity]

Go have a good time spending less money at a better school in a truly awesome city.

Thanks, it's just that WI "MIGHT" give me a scholarship? What the heck is that. WI does things different than any other school (that I know of). They don't require a seat deposit (which is good for those accepted but NOT good for those on the waitlist) and they don't send out scholly info with admit letters. How are you supposed to make a decision?

That's what makes this such a hard decision.

Pros of WI:
Don't have to take the WI Bar
In-state tuition is guaranteed 18k
Might? get scholly? If I do it may cost less than MN
Close to family & friends
Great clinical programs
LOVE the city of Madison

Cons of WI
Tuition could skyrocket with the state budget issues and republican control of Madison
Lower ranked (but still Tier 1)
No guarantee of scholly, likely to cost more than MN w/out scholly

Pros of MN:
With in-state reciprocity + scholly = 13,882 per year with only 2.5 gpa requirement
Higher ranked
Great area
Chance to live outside of WI
Being away from family and friends may produce fewer distractions to study

Cons of MN
Would have to take the Bar wherever I decide to practice (likely MN or WI)
6 hour drive to visit family and friends (and my dog)
If I lose my scholly, I would be paying A LOT (but let's hope that doesn't happen)


I guess I have A LOT of research to do tonight since I have to decide by tomorrow! :/ Thanks again everyone!

If you don't get a definite answer about the possible WI scholly by tomorrow, then don't list it as a pro.

Also, don't sweat the bar exam. It's a small obstacle in the grand scheme of things. The only other consideration is whether you'd be able to pass it, and frankly you shouldn't even feel comfortable practicing without knowing you can pass a bar exam.

And law school is competitive. Minimizing distractions is a plus. You'll have plenty of time to see family and friends on break and during the summer.

Lastly, Madison is great, but Twin Cities? F-ing awesome.

[CanadianWolf]

The difference is not that bar exams are easy, but that you could be a member of two bars for the "price" of one. Also, if you want to practice in Wisconsin, then it is borderline foolish not to attend Wisconsin, in my opinion.

[metallaura]

The difference is not that bar exams are easy, but that you could be a member of two bars for the "price" of one. Also, if you want to practice in Wisconsin, then it is borderline foolish not to attend Wisconsin, in my opinion.

Good point. Thanks