Columbia @ Assumed Sticker v. Cornell @ Almost Full Ride Forum

[crewbie13]

I've been searching through the older threads, and they seem to split down the middle on this. Is it any different this year, as Cornell becomes lower ranked/law school applicants drop/economy slightly rebounds?

FYI, I'm coming straight out of undergrad, no debt& interested in biglaw, but may want to strive for academia/clerkships/politics in the future; I certainly don't want to close any doors. I haven't heard back yet about financial aid from CLS, but I'm assuming it's minimal. Cornell is giving 48K a year. I like both schools & areas.

[kaiser]

I'd go with Cornell without a doubt. If it was CLS at sticker vs. Cornell with something like 1/3 or 1/2 tuition, then you at least have yourself a debate, but if you want a NY big firm job, you can very likely get it out of Cornell, and have MUCH less debt to boot.

[bernaldiaz]

What were your numbers? Were there any options somewhere in the middle of these two?

[071816]

Cornell without a doubt. You probably aren't getting academia anyway, Cornell will give you a great shot at NYC big law, and the minimal debt will allow you more leeway in case you decide that isn't what you want.

[monkey85]

Cornell without a doubt.

Agree with the above.

Although you won't be in NYC, you'll have all those post-lawl school BigLaw years to enjoy Manhattan. Enjoy the freedom and satisfaction of knowing you are getting a first rate law school education at minimal cost.

[bk1]

Cornell and it's not even close.

[crewbie13]

I have $22,500 a year to Michigan; I haven't heard back about financial aid from anywhere else, as I am a bit late in submitting the need access form. I have a 178/3.7 for what it's worth.

[chiwachiwa]

Did you apply late? Have you murdered someone? You should get at least 1 of HYS and merit aid at T6 with your numbers.

[aekea]

Did you apply late? Have you murdered someone? You should get at least 1 of HYS and merit aid at T6 with your numbers.

HYS is still going to be tough with a 3.7 GPA. S and Y have close to a 3.8 GPA floor and Harvard's is just around 3.7. OP certainly has a chance, but those are still reaches.

[CanadianWolf]

If you are seriously seeking guidance between attending Cornell with $48,000 per year scholarship aid versus Columbia at sticker, then you need to know that a significant part of the practice of law involves the use of common-sense.

P.S. Congratulations !

[ahnhub]

Cornell but wait to see what all of your options are. If you got into CCN I think you might get significant $$ at one of them.

[Napt]

Did you apply late? Have you murdered someone? You should get at least 1 of HYS and merit aid at T6 with your numbers.

HYS is still going to be tough with a 3.7 GPA. S and Y have close to a 3.8 GPA floor and Harvard's is just around 3.7. OP certainly has a chance, but those are still reaches.

Stanford's floor isn't 3.8, their median is 3.85 and their 25th is 3.72.

But yeah, 178/3.7 is a reach for HYS. Cornell is tcr for this guy's situation.

[rayiner]

These numbers should get you substantial money at CCN.

[aekea]

Did you apply late? Have you murdered someone? You should get at least 1 of HYS and merit aid at T6 with your numbers.

HYS is still going to be tough with a 3.7 GPA. S and Y have close to a 3.8 GPA floor and Harvard's is just around 3.7. OP certainly has a chance, but those are still reaches.

Stanford's floor isn't 3.8, their median is 3.85 and their 25th is 3.72.

But yeah, 178/3.7 is a reach for HYS. Cornell is tcr for this guy's situation.

As best I can tell, Stanford accepts some URMs or possibly non-traditional applicants with GPAs considerably below their floor which leads to the skewed stats. A non-URM who has relatively normal softs and a 178 LSAT needs a very high GPA to get in.

[buckilaw]

Have you considered working for a year? I went straight through from undergrad and I kind of regret not working for a bit. If you don't get substantial merit aid at any of CCN a year of work experience combined with a new (early) application might make sense. You also get the marginal benefit of boosting your gpa a bit for a shot a better shot at H.

[woeisme]

Cornell for sure.

[AntipodeanPhil]

Have you considered working for a year? I went straight through from undergrad and I kind of regret not working for a bit. If you don't get substantial merit aid at any of CCN a year of work experience combined with a new (early) application might make sense. You also get the marginal benefit of boosting your gpa a bit for a shot a better shot at H.

+ 1

If you're not willing to consider that, then:

Cornell without a doubt. You probably aren't getting academia anyway, Cornell will give you a great shot at NYC big law, and the minimal debt will allow you more leeway in case you decide that isn't what you want.

+ 1