Top Law Schools

I posted another poll earlier but things have changed. I'm now looking at UMN ($75k scholarship, 2.5GPA stip), WUSTL ($60k scholarship guaranteed, currently negotiating $), and Utah (in-state + $13k scholarship, 3.3GPA/top 50%-ish stip).
I am originally from Indiana/Michigan, all of my family still in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. I left for undergrad, moved back for a couple of years, then moved to Utah 3.5 years ago (so in-state tuition). I don't want to stay in Utah for the rest of my life, I'd rather get back to the Midwest. Are my ties to the Midwest region sufficient for Minn/StL even though I don't have ties to the states/cities in which UMN/WUSTL are located? Is it worth $100k+ for Midwest schools, or is Utah for much less money just as good?
Also: not really interested in Biglaw, more public interest focused so debt is a big concern.
Any thoughts?

Would it make any difference if the Utah scholarship was full tuition, or if the WUSTL scholarship were increased?

Anyone want to offer analysis on the advantages/disadvantages of being from the wider region, but not from the state/city in which UMN and WUSTL are located?

Go to Utah with less debt. I did not apply there, therefore, you will not be competition to me at WUSTL or UM. Withdraw from them and go to Utah.

Thanks for the input. Since I can't believe you're actually worried about me being competition at UMN/WUSTL, I'm going to assume you're only serious about the advice to go to Utah because of the debt factor

Did those who voted for Utah do so based solely on the numbers, or do you also think there is a realistic possibility of getting back to the Midwest with a Utah degree and Midwest ties? I'm a non-LDS lesbian, so while I like living in SLC for now, I'm not sure I want to be here permanently (maybe I should have said that in my original post).

go-the-bees wrote:Thanks for the input. Since I can't believe you're actually worried about me being competition at UMN/WUSTL, I'm going to assume you're only serious about the advice to go to Utah because of the debt factor

Did those who voted for Utah do so based solely on the numbers, or do you also think there is a realistic possibility of getting back to the Midwest with a Utah degree and Midwest ties? I'm a non-LDS lesbian, so while I like living in SLC for now, I'm not sure I want to be here permanently (maybe I should have said that in my original post).

Uh...do all your schools know you're a lesbian? That could go a long way in how much money you get. Please tell me you informed your schools...?!

In that case, Minnesota or WUSTL is your best bet. I think both have decent LRAP in addition to placing in cities where you will be more comfortable, namely, Chicago and Minneapolis.

Yes, the major theme of my PS was about my experience being a lesbian and overcoming adversity. I'm not sure if it made a difference in merit scholarships, though.

Huh, apparently. Maybe they have an abundance of lesbians this cycle? Who knows...? But I would definitely want to live in a nice city if I was gay. Look into their LRAP and see if that may mitigate your initial financial hit when paying for either WUSTL or Minnesota. F- Utah. You won't go anywhere outside the Mountain region, and won't break Denver.

Quality of life for a person of your persuasion, as if you don't already know, includes an environment as free from ignorance as possible. Good thing you didn't apply to Pepperdine!

Anyway, I would go to WUSTL or Minnesota. Look into LRAP!!!! It could change an initial investment of 100K into 30K down the road.