UIUC ($$) vs. UCI ($$) vs. Cornell (Sticker) Forum

[gregucla10]

Let me preface this by saying that I am from, and prefer to end up working in Southern California. I think I should also note that my father is a practicing attorney, so I should have some of those good ol' "Southern California connections". With that in mind, what school (between the three of Illinois, UCI and Cornell) offers me the best chance at finding employment in San Diego/Orange County/Los Angeles/etc.? Any input would help!

..and the relevant scholly info:
UIUC - No stipulation for 50% ($22,260 per year, or $66,780 total).
UC Irvine - Maintain a 2.0 for $25,000 per year, or $75,000 total.
Cornell - Sticker (damn you, late application)

[rad lulz]

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[CanadianWolf]

OP: In answer to your question, UC-Irvine. Do you really think that Illinois or Cornell might place better than UCI in Southern California ?

[gregucla10]

Waitlisted at USC , and I went to UCLA for undergrad, so I'm looking for a change of scenery from Westwood. Good question though.

[benburns214]

I'd probably choose UC-Irvine... just because you want to work in Cali. But if you didnt care, then i'd choose Cornell.

[rad lulz]

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[Mr. Somebody]

You only "prefer" to work in Southern California. It doesn't sound like a must for you so I would take Cornell. Gives you more fallback options whereas you'll need to finish at the top of the class at UCI for anything good. With strong ties to SoCal you can probably go back there from Cornell without having to finish in the top 10% as well

[CanadianWolf]

I doubt that you'll need to finish in the top 10% at UCI to place well in Southern California. Cornell is the first or second most expensive law school in the country. Compare COA for each law school. If still undecided, then visit Cornell & consider making that journey many times over the next three years.

[goldenflash19]

What is your COL situation for Orange County? If your father or any other connection lives within a reasonable distance of UCI and you can stay for free, then it's not a terrible option. If you have to add Southern California rent on top of the tuition bill for UCI, then I'd be a bit more hesitant.

[gregucla10]

So it looks like I'll have to decide between Cornell and UCI then (I think I was just attracted to the combo of a high scholly and UIUC's Civil Litigation Clinic..). The COA (scholarship/rent included) is dramatically lower if I choose Irvine, but I don't have any undergrad debt.. hence one of the reasons why this decision, from my perspective, seems so tough. Cornell is the "better" school, but I guess the underlying question I have is whether my regional ties are strong enough to allow me to leave California for a couple of years, then come back and find employment. I'm sure I can find a post on here somewhere - but thanks everyone! Much appreciated

[rad lulz]

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[FinallyGoing]

So it looks like I'll have to decide between Cornell and UCI then (I think I was just attracted to the combo of a high scholly and UIUC's Civil Litigation Clinic..). The COA (scholarship/rent included) is dramatically lower if I choose Irvine, but I don't have any undergrad debt.. hence one of the reasons why this decision, from my perspective, seems so tough. Cornell is the "better" school, but I guess the underlying question I have is whether my regional ties are strong enough to allow me to leave California for a couple of years, then come back and find employment. I'm sure I can find a post on here somewhere - but thanks everyone! Much appreciated

No, the real question in re Cornell is whether you want to go to one of the most expensive lawl schools in America in an uncertain job market.

Big fan of UCI here...but if we are going to use "uncertainty" as the criterion here then we should be advising OP to go to Cornell. Sure UCI has a lot of hope/promise..but it's still pretty uncertain.

I am a 0L...and obviously not an expert in these matters but if I were you I'd go to Cornell.

[romothesavior]

Waitlisted at USC , and I went to UCLA for undergrad, so I'm looking for a change of scenery from Westwood. Good question though.

I know you're looking for a change of scenery, but law school isn't really the time for that due to the regional nature of legal hiring.

This. I would say its USC/UCLA or retake. UCI is probably a bad choice, and 200k+ for a law degree at a school thousands of miles away that places primarily into NYC seems silly.

[rad lulz]

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[Ludo!]

I would stay away from UIUC if you're deadset on going back to California. I was born and raised in Southern California. In fact I never lived anywhere else until going to Illinois for law school. But when I was applying for jobs I had much much better luck in Chicago than CA. Illinois is a very regional school.

[decaf735]

UCI is the pretty obvious choice here.

[handsonthewheel]

If I were you, I'd go to Cornell and be ok with NYC, and if CA worked out, cool.

But you probably can't change how you feel. If NYC ain't on your radar, go to UCI. Clerkships looked promising.