Mich (free) vs NW (mostly free) -- Need Advice Forum

[Kring345]

Hello everyone!

I'd really need some advice. Im having a hard time doing research because Im in Afghanistan, so I truly appreciate your input. I was accepted to Michigan, and it will be 100% free plus a $10k scholarship/stipend, and 100% free housing. I was HELD at Northwestern, and, if admitted, I would have to pay approximately $4-5,000 per year, but would have 100% free housing. *Im a veteran, so all of these numbers are based off of 2011-2012 GI Bill rates, which may change for 2012-13, but it’s all that I have to work off of

Im thinking about sending an email to Northwestern saying, “If accepted, I will most certainly attend.” I wouldn’t do this for another 2-4 weeks (after my H/S pipe dreams are likely squashed). But im thinking about it, especially if I get waitlisted.

I absolutely love both schools. But I havent lived in the same place for more than 9 months since 2003 and I'd like to attend a law school in a place where I don’t have to leave during the summers and after graduating. Im absolutely exhausted from moving around the world/country (VA, CA, Iraq, Afghanistan x 2, DC, PA, etc).

Would I be crazy to do this? I mean this both financially and in regards to job prospects. With Michigan, I would literally have 0 debt largely thanks to the 10k/yr scholarship. At NW, I’d have minimal debt (15k-ish). Again, my housing would be free at both schools. What about job prospects? My goal is biglaw and I dont really care where I live/work (east, midwest, west), and I only have ties to Philly and socal.

I really do think I’d be happy at either school. But I am being drawn to a school in a city that I can call home for the three years of law school and at least a few years after that.

Thank you for your time and advice.

[Bronck]

If you'd be happier at NU, I say go for it. 15k debt is virtually nothing -- you can pay that back in a year. It's not like NU's job prospects are very different from Mich's either.

[Chucky21]

If you like NU more and want to stay in the area for a while then it seems like your best bet. You could get biglaw in Chicago and likely would not have to move at all. If you go to Mich then you'll most likely have to move to biglaw markets in nyc or chicago etc. Hope this helps.

[smokeylarue]

15k difference is minimal and shouldn't factor in your decision. Both schools give you about the same shot at Big Law. Chicago sounds like its where you want to be. If you get in NW, enjoy.

[ralph_pootawn]

can't go wrong here. great options either way.

[Kring345]

Thank you all for the great advice. Made me feel a lot better.

Are the job prospects about equal? From what I gather, that is the case, especially given my WE. But anyone else care to comment?

Thank you all again.

[moneybagsphd]

Michigan. After reading NU's egregious TTT viewbook, I'm a bit biased.
Really, though, pick the school you'd be happier attending, and enjoy... They're both fantastic and (pretty much) peer schools.

[handsonthewheel]

I think Northwestern places a bit more into biglaw, which I think is going to be largely into Chicago, so if you are fine staying there, go with NW.

If you don't want to be in Chicago, then go to Michigan.

$15k isn't even worth thinking about and if Chicago is somewhere you'd want to be, I think the nod goes to NW here for the slightly better biglaw numbers. Also, as you mentioned, with Chicago you could just move and settle-in.

[83947368]

.

[JamMasterJ]

With that little debt, the decision is not a monetary one. If you get into NU, visit both (if possible) and go my feel

[soj]

If you won't have the opportunity to visit and don't feel strongly either way, why not pick Michigan for the 15K? Either way, you'll be fine.

[crumpetsandtea]

Michigan. After reading NU's egregious TTT viewbook, I'm a bit biased.
Really, though, pick the school you'd be happier attending, and enjoy... They're both fantastic and (pretty much) peer schools.

What do you mean by the bolded?

And Kring, you know I'm going to be biased here so I'll refrain from commenting But either way epic Michigan-NU TLS hangouts must be had!!

[CanadianWolf]

Because you want to stay put for summers & several years after completing law school, the answer is Northwestern if you are admitted. Otherwise, Michigan since you have actually been admitted.

[03121202698008]

Make sure you factor the cost of living. The BAH is nice but may not cover everything. Also, are your calculations for NU correct with the new country-wide cap for private schools? Not saying it isn't....I haven't really looked as Michigan is public.

[ScrabbleChamp]

Make sure you factor the cost of living. The BAH is nice but may not cover everything. Also, are your calculations for NU correct with the new country-wide cap for private schools? Not saying it isn't....I haven't really looked as Michigan is public.

This is definitely something you need to research. The new cap for private schools is $17500 for private schools, so unless NW provides an amazing Yellow Ribbon contribution, you are going to be out of pocket more than $5k/year. Also, keep in mind the new program only pays housing while you are in school and it is prorated based on how many days you are in school each month. For instance, I start May 29th, so I'll only get the housing allowance for 3 days in May.

[xcountryjunkie]

First off, thanks for your service!

Secondly, go where you'll be happiest (and that sounds like Northwestern). 15K isn't enough debt that's it's worth fretting over.

[ahnhub]

Northwestern offered a $15000 match for Yellow Ribbon last year, for up to 10 vets. So that would mean 30K total, covering 47500K in tuition. Assuming less than 10 vets attend in your class (which for a class of 225 or so is almost certainly the case, even in a year when a lot of vets are applying), it covers almost full tuition.

[IAFG]

The job prospects are pretty much identical: whichever school you go to, your grades and interviewing skills will determine how you do in terms of job offers. If you think you would do better with family around, or worse with that distraction, that might push you to one or the other.

[03121202698008]

Northwestern offered a $15000 match for Yellow Ribbon last year, for up to 10 vets. So that would mean 30K total, covering 47500K in tuition. Assuming less than 10 vets attend in your class (which for a class of 225 or so is almost certainly the case, even in a year when a lot of vets are applying), it covers almost full tuition.

Uh, at many schools the # cap is across all 3 classes, not just one. They have to pay that each year...

[IAFG]

Michigan. After reading NU's egregious TTT viewbook, I'm a bit biased.
Really, though, pick the school you'd be happier attending, and enjoy... They're both fantastic and (pretty much) peer schools.

The difference is UMich can fit everything good about attending UMich in a view book. It's a little harder to fit in the city of Chicago.

[ScrabbleChamp]

Northwestern offered a $15000 match for Yellow Ribbon last year, for up to 10 vets. So that would mean 30K total, covering 47500K in tuition. Assuming less than 10 vets attend in your class (which for a class of 225 or so is almost certainly the case, even in a year when a lot of vets are applying), it covers almost full tuition.

Uh, at many schools the # cap is across all 3 classes, not just one. They have to pay that each year...

Yeah... the number listed on the YRP site is school-wide, not just per class. So, it is possible that more than 10 vets that are YRP eligible attend.

OP: I would contact Northwestern directly and ask them what their YRP contribution will be for incoming students AND if they have any space available. If they don't have any space or the contribution is less than in years past, this may make the decision much easier for you.

[Doorkeeper]

I would vote Michigan, generally speaking in a comparison, but it sounds like you may favor Northwestern. I don't think that it's too big of a difference, so if you have a definite preference to living in Chicago, then go Northwestern. Visit each school and see how you feel.