UCLA (90k) vs. NU (sticker) Forum

[cactuarX3]

Let me just put up a disclaimer that my cycle is not 100% over yet and I do plan to submit financial aid applications so I may not be ultimately faced with this choice. However, given that all my other options are likely to be WL/rejects at this point, I wanted to get some early opinions on what to do. Some factors in my decision:

1) I do want the supposed "national portability" of a T14 degree since I'm not sure yet where I want to work, but I'm not sure how true that remains these days and I'm not sure how un-portable a degree from UCLA is.
2) I do have a significant sum of $$$ saved up from WE that I can use to pay tuition to lessen the debt load (but not for all 3 years).
3) Biglaw is the goal.

Any input from TLS experts would be most appreciated!

[Grizz]

Were are you from, where do you have significant ties, and where do you want to work.

[cactuarX3]

Were are you from, where do you have significant ties, and where do you want to work.

From LA and lived in the bay area for 6-7 years. No legal industry ties anywhere though, but I do have professional ties in the bay area. As for where I want to work, no idea really. If I had to rank them then maybe NYC, Bay Area >> Chicago >> LA >>>>>> everywhere else. But honestly, no idea right now.

[bk1]

I think NU is definitely the far riskier choice, but if you want biglaw and NYC is one of your top choices (whereas LA is not), I would lean towards NU.

[MormonChristian]

I vote take UCLA and the money honey.

[Grizz]

I think NU is definitely the far riskier choice, but if you want biglaw and NYC is one of your top choices (whereas LA is not), I would lean towards NU.

Ya basically this, since you have ties to LA and the Bay Area you could feasibly target all of them through OCI, mass mailing, off-site interview fairs, etc. Good thing you have some savings which should offset the cost.

[cactuarX3]

I think NU is definitely the far riskier choice, but if you want biglaw and NYC is one of your top choices (whereas LA is not), I would lean towards NU.

Ya basically this, since you have ties to LA and the Bay Area you could feasibly target all of them through OCI, mass mailing, off-site interview fairs, etc. Good thing you have some savings which should offset the cost.

Thanks for the great feedback! I was wondering actually if ties = connections with lawyers? If that's the case, then I have no ties to anywhere really. If ties = professional contacts in general, then that I do have in the bay area in abundance.

[Grizz]

I think NU is definitely the far riskier choice, but if you want biglaw and NYC is one of your top choices (whereas LA is not), I would lean towards NU.

Ya basically this, since you have ties to LA and the Bay Area you could feasibly target all of them through OCI, mass mailing, off-site interview fairs, etc. Good thing you have some savings which should offset the cost.

Thanks for the great feedback! I was wondering actually if ties = connections with lawyers? If that's the case, then I have no ties to anywhere really. If ties = professional contacts in general, then that I do have in the bay area in abundance.

Ties is basically anything that connects you to a region, not just the legal community, though that's good too. They range from weak (a few of my buddies live in XYZ) to stronger (I went to college/worked in XYZ) to probably the strongest (I grew up in XYZ).

[RomaRomaRoma]

Would the consensus answer to this question change if OP got 90k to NU as well?

[cactuarX3]

Would the consensus answer to this question change of OP got 90k to NU as well?

Wouldn't this be great! Won't happen though...

[Killingly]

Would the consensus answer to this question change of OP got 90k to NU as well?

Wouldn't this be great! Won't happen though...

The answer is NYU!

[RomaRomaRoma]

I'm looking at a similar situation, so I'm interested in a more head-to-head comparison..

[Grizz]

I'm looking at a similar situation, so I'm interested in a more head-to-head comparison..

90k at UCLA and 90k at NU?

What do you want to do, where do you have personal ties, and where do you want to work

[cactuarX3]

Would the consensus answer to this question change of OP got 90k to NU as well?

Wouldn't this be great! Won't happen though...

The answer is NYU!

Killingly, I can always count on you for some NYU-related optimism!

[RomaRomaRoma]

Work in NY, strong ties to Bay Area, NY..

[Grizz]

Work in NY, strong ties to Bay Area, NY..

NU. UCLA isn't gonna help you much in NY.