Penn vs. UVA Forum

[jared123]

I am considering applying ED to one or the other, and I'm having a tough time deciding which one to choose.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of each in comparison to each other? I know this is a broad question, but that is my purpose. I want to find out all information possible, so please feel free to answer in any form if it is applicable.

Thanks so much for the feedback. It really is greatly appreciated.

[desertlaw]

I think a search of the forum might give you some good results, but feel free to PM me about my experience at UVa. I never looked into Penn, but have loved my time at UVa.

[HeavenWood]

Penn = edge for NYC, UVA = edge for DC. Otherwise, it's pretty much a wash. Culturally speaking, the schools are a bit different. Both are quite collegial, but Penn leans nerdy, while UVA leans fratty.

Visit both campuses if you can. In the end though, you can't really make a wrong choice between the two.

[bk1]

Peer schools are peer.

[avemundi]

0L myself, so can't speak from first-hand experience, but I've been told by a Uva student that the Uva student body tends to be a more conservative compared to its peer schools (Michigan and Penn), so I guess that could be a factor to consider

[Odd Future Wolf Gang]

One is Jewish and the other is not.

Both are Public Ivys.

[senorhosh]

One is Jewish and the other is not.

Both are Public Ivys.

Isn't penn a Private Ivy?

[euskadi]

Penn is private and an actual Ivy.

[Seneca]

Penn is private and actually part of the Ivy League. UVA is public, but some consider it a "public Ivy" because of its academic reputation and other factors. UVA is in the ACC, which is athletically superior to the Ivy League, for whatever that's worth. Unfortunately, Penn is also in Philadelphia, but if you're okay with that, you really can't go wrong with either school, though the two are pretty different in terms of culture and location.

EDIT: Scooped by euskadi.

[run26.2]

One is Jewish and the other is not.

Both are Public Ivys.

Isn't penn a Private Ivy?

Penn is private and Virginia is not an Ivy. Not that "ivy" status matters for much of anything.

Also, I don't think UVA necessarily has an edge in DC. It is a harder market to crack from either school but I think a person with similar standing at either school would have an equal chance at a job there.

[bdubs]

Penn is smaller and has had a slight edge in job placement results (percentage and arguably prestige) for a few years.

The campus environments are quite different, as are the cities that they are located in. The academic differences are relatively minimal.

[Odd Future Wolf Gang]

UPenn State at Philadephia is a PUBLIC SCHOOL in the Big 10. It's the satellite campus of the main campus in State College, PA. You guys are all seriously misinformed.

[ihhwap1]

.

[HeavenWood]

One is Jewish and the other is not.

I somehow doubt there are a shortage of Jews at UVA.

[desertlaw]

There are plenty of times to practice law in an urban environment or big city. Most people don't regret 3 years of living in Charlottesville.

[HeavenWood]

Unfortunately, Penn is also in Philadelphia

QFknowingnothingaboutPhiladelphia

[joeshmo39]

I would seriously be afraid that when JoePa leaves, UPenn will really go downhill, he holds that place together. At this point he can't hold out much longer. Other relevant factors:

Penn is very urban, UVA is not.
Philly is a cool city, C-Ville is a cool town, one is a city one is a town.
UVA has a lower cost of living
Penn has Wharton which would be good for business, but I've heard the JD/MBA is a tough boat to row.
Penn places a lot in NYC whereas most UVA kids want DC (though I don't think the NYC job hunt was too bad).

[ahnhub]

Others have mentioned this, but it's important: Penn is in the middle of west Philadelphia. It's an urban, pretty run-down area of town. The immediate Penn campus is super-nice, but the surrounding area is not. Which actually would present some interesting advantages too, in terms of law, I guess--the clinics might get lots of urban issues?

Also, I'm not sure how much of a boost ED gives you at Penn, esp. if you're a splitter. I know UVA's ED gets talked about up and down this forum because they take in so many of their class from ED or in-state.

[Wholigan]

Others have mentioned this, but it's important: Penn is in the middle of west Philadelphia. It's an urban, pretty run-down area of town. The immediate Penn campus is super-nice, but the surrounding area is not. Which actually would present some interesting advantages too, in terms of law, I guess--the clinics might get lots of urban issues?

Also, I'm not sure how much of a boost ED gives you at Penn, esp. if you're a splitter. I know UVA's ED gets talked about up and down this forum because they take in so many of their class from ED or in-state.

Actually, the bolded is not true. Penn is in University City, which is on the edge of West Philly, not in the middle of West Philly. The difference may sound minor, but I don't think it is. Temple, for example, is on an island, surrounded by bad neighborhoods on all sides. Penn, on the other hand, is directly adjacent to (and within walking distance of) center city. You have to get almost a mile from the law school before you get into areas which can be legitimately described as "run-down", in my opinion.

[Grizz]

Peer schools are peer.

[HeavenWood]

Others have mentioned this, but it's important: Penn is in the middle of west Philadelphia. It's an urban, pretty run-down area of town. The immediate Penn campus is super-nice, but the surrounding area is not. Which actually would present some interesting advantages too, in terms of law, I guess--the clinics might get lots of urban issues?

Also, I'm not sure how much of a boost ED gives you at Penn, esp. if you're a splitter. I know UVA's ED gets talked about up and down this forum because they take in so many of their class from ED or in-state.

Actually, the bolded is not true. Penn is in University City, which is on the edge of West Philly, not in the middle of West Philly. The difference may sound minor, but I don't think it is. Temple, for example, is on an island, surrounded by bad neighborhoods on all sides. Penn, on the other hand, is directly adjacent to (and within walking distance of) center city. You have to get almost a mile from the law school before you get into areas which can be legitimately described as "run-down", in my opinion.

TCR. The areas of West Philadelphia surrounding Penn are starting to undergo a renaissance. It's becoming quite the hip place for young professionals as well as upper-middle class families.

[jared123]

Ok so it seems as though the job placement is pretty even and the major difference is simply location and culture.

Is there a difference in strengths in regards to specific areas of law?

[jake123]

Ok so it seems as though the job placement is pretty even and the major difference is simply location and culture.

Is there a difference in strengths in regards to specific areas of law?

I am interested in this as well. Also, what is the comparison in location job placement--NYC, DC, Chicago, West Coast, South?

THANKS!

[jim-green]

For science majors at Penn who want to do patent law, do a lot of patent law firms from DC recruit on campus? And what have the placement been like for patent law?

[HeavenWood]

Ok so it seems as though the job placement is pretty even and the major difference is simply location and culture.

Is there a difference in strengths in regards to specific areas of law?

I am interested in this as well. Also, what is the comparison in location job placement--NYC, DC, Chicago, West Coast, South?

THANKS!

Penn feeds more into NYC/DC than anywhere else, but those other regions aren't out of the question, provided you have ties. If you want the South, UVA has a definite advantage. If you want Chicago, you're better off going to Northwestern, if possible.