Top Law Schools

I appreciate this is a rather cliche question, but there doesn't appear to be a very comprehensive/recent post along these lines. If I'm wrong, forgive me. In any event, how would people evaluate the differences between these two schools? They are obviously both very good and well reputed, but I am having trouble finding ways to differentiate them besides #4 and #6, which doesn't tell you a whole lot. Additionally, NYU's location is definitely better (in my opinion, at least). But that's really all I got. Thoughts?

Columbia is ivy, which doesn't matter, but that's still cool.

Go to Columbia because it's Columbia. If you have an overriding reason to do otherwise, then do that.

Columbia

.

They're essentially peer schools, and there is no objectively wrong choice. Columbia has the better name and some argue that Columbia places better outside of NYC. NYU probably has a better PI support system. In the end the differences are minor enough that you should probably just go to the ASW's and pick the school where you feel more comfortable. (Take the $$$ they throw at you into account of course.)

bee wrote:Do you have $ from one, both, or either?

Sticker at each, which is...fine.

Setting aside quality, is there a difference in lifestyle? Culture?

georgeconstanza wrote:

bee wrote:Do you have $ from one, both, or either?

Sticker at each, which is...fine.

Setting aside quality, is there a difference in lifestyle? Culture?

Just go visit.

.

georgeconstanza wrote:Setting aside quality, is there a difference in lifestyle? Culture?

I can really only speak for CLS. The culture is generally pretty laid back and noncompetitive (really). The neighborhood is very quiet and mostly dominated by the university. If you're looking to be in the heart of NYC at all times, you probably want NYU. That said, CLS is a short subway/cab ride from anywhere in the city.

The best thing you can do is visit both schools and see for yourself.

1) Go to ASD - find out which school you like better - if the difference is significant, you have your answer
2) Find out which school will give you more money - if the difference is significant, you have your answer
3) Get in to Harvard so that you don't have to make this decision

georgeconstanza wrote:I appreciate this is a rather cliche question, but there doesn't appear to be a very comprehensive/recent post along these lines. If I'm wrong, forgive me. In any event, how would people evaluate the differences between these two schools? They are obviously both very good and well reputed, but I am having trouble finding ways to differentiate them besides #4 and #6, which doesn't tell you a whole lot. Additionally, NYU's location is definitely better (in my opinion, at least). But that's really all I got. Thoughts?

wut?

are you fucking kidding me:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=174017

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=153412

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=169203

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 7&t=162295

Tons of moar thread if you would take the time to specify what you actually want to do, and if you don't know, there are a million more threads besides these that can help with that too.

Use these threads to gain some ground info then come back with a clarifying question (or go poast in the 1L CLS or NYU Taking Questions thread)

That, or don't lie/whine and say "there aren't any thread, recently." You don't need them to be recent within the last month. NYU/CLS don't change that much over a year or two.

Protip:
Step 1: Click 'Search Forum'
Step 2: Enter NYU v. CLS or CLS v. NYU or Columbia v. NYU or NYU v. Columbia
Step 3: Profit
Step 4: Return with good questions.

I beg to differ, there is a lot left to be said on this topic.

dixiecupdrinking wrote:I beg to differ, there is a lot left to be said on this topic.

Are you sure? I don't think any other topic besides HLS v. SLS has been discussed at greater lengths. Any other talking points that haven't already been addressed can essentially be boiled down into personal preference.

OP, visit both and go from there. That will probably lead you to your decision.

dixiecupdrinking wrote:I beg to differ, there is a lot left to be said on this topic.

lol, on the other hand, this thread could turn into http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=174017 in which case I'd be very interested in contributing my worthless insights.

An underrated search method is just to google site:top-law-schools.com columbia nyu

Lets be real here, if the cost is roughly the same, it's a question of preference. The offerings, unless you just HAVE to have a certain experience that you absolutely cannot create at one of the schools (which I doubt is anything, you can always do an externship or something), are going to be pretty much the same.

Even the "culture" is going to be the same. Some may argue otherwise, but the culture is largely a function of your attitude, where you select to spend your time and the people you befriend and take on as enemies.

Go to the school you want to for whatever reason it is, but don't think it's anything more than subjective. These are two incredible law schools and any differences are negligible in the objective sense.

For me, I'd choose Columbia because it is ivy and is ranked higher, and I admit it's a hollow and useless designation for what school to attend. If I wanted to live in another area, I'd do that and commute some. Just because your school is in one place doesn't mean you'll spend all of your time there unless you choose to. I just think I'd like to tell myself I go to Columbia Law rather than NYU Law (and because people will assume I didn't get into Columbia if I go to NYU). Again, arbitrary and hollow, but I think that's basically the type of reason it comes down to.

This board, however, will have long debates about minutiae. Take your pick.

handsonthewheel wrote:Even the "culture" is going to be the same. Some may argue otherwise, but the culture is largely a function of your attitude, where you select to spend your time and the people you befriend and take on as enemies.

CR. Both schools pick from the same group of overachievers. Both schools place overwhelmingly into biglaw. Both schools have renowned professors in major areas of the law. Both schools have about 400 students per class and there are going to be many different personalities represented within the class.

The differences between the two schools would only come into play for me if the COA from each school was equal. Even then it's mostly a Morningside Heights vs. Greenwich Village distinction. Also, if you have a very specific career path planned you school obviously go to the school that would help you the most in preparing for that path.

HTH if you pick CLS, you're a fucking idiot. Read about it here: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 23&t=99463

While NYU is a decent state school, there are tons of options beyond these two choices here in NYC. You're going into tons of debt. Be careful b4 you throw your life away!

and take on as enemies

Uh... Should I expect to be "taking on enemies" during my stay at law school?

Tadatsune wrote:

and take on as enemies

Uh... Should I expect to be "taking on enemies" during my stay at law school?

You'll understand what I mean when the time comes.

georgeconstanza wrote:

bee wrote:Do you have $ from one, both, or either?

Sticker at each, which is...fine.

Setting aside quality, is there a difference in lifestyle? Culture?

.

alex.feuerman wrote:I used to live in Nolita relatively near NYU. EVERYTHING is there. The hottest bars, clubs, restaurants, vintage stores, concert venues, espresso shops, like, EVERYTHING EVERYTHING is there. Is it gorgeous and beautiful and vibrant and full of people and life and laughter always.

Columbia is in Harlem, hope you like fast food and being mugged.

That said, even though I live in NYC I still don't know whether I would choose NYU or Columbia

Things wrong with this post:
1) Sincere use of the term "Nolita."

2) "hottest...clubs"

3) Suggestion that Harlem has a higher rate of petty crime than the W Village when, in fact, the opposite is true.

4) This thread is from February.

Seriously, OP, just use the search function since every possible difference imaginable has already been discussed 1000 times over.

It seems to me that if both are at sticker, than CLS is the clear choice. But NYU seems a lot more generous with merit-based aid, so if NYU offered $30K or more, I would seriously consider it over CLS.

Just realized this thread is from last Feb. I pity the fool who brings up dead old threads