Chi 90k vs. NYU 87.5k vs. Columbia ? Forum

[Mista Bojangles]

Most interested in international conflict law, but I imagine I might go for biglaw for at least a few years following law school. From California originally and have a slight preference to end up back there eventually.

I applied in September, and I'm in at NYU with $87.5k total ($105k if I do low-paying PI), at Chicago with $90k, and at Columbia. No financial aid notice yet from them, but I didn't get a named scholarship and not sure how much to expect from them. Also, I haven't spent much time at all in either NYC or Chicago, and honestly have not much of an idea what to expect lifestyle-wise from either city, especially because I won't be able to make any ASWs.

I still haven't heard back from SLS or HLS, which means deadlines are pretty relevant for me. NYU's is April 5, Chicago's is April 15, Columbia's is May 1.

Not sure what other info is relevant here but let me know if I've left out anything that would be helpful. Thanks.

[HeavenWood]

Until you hear back from Columbia, this is a simple question of "which city do you like more?"

[Mista Bojangles]

Is it really that simple? The truth is I really don't have any familiarity at all with either city, so I'm not sure I can make the decision on that basis.

[HeavenWood]

Is it really that simple? The truth is I really don't have any familiarity at all with either city, so I'm not sure I can make the decision on that basis.

Your best bet is going to the ASWs and exploring the cities as much as you can. It's tough to make a "gut decision" as to which environment/market you'd prefer more, but it's better than nothing at all.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Really no good objective basis for making this decision, IMO.

[soj]

Ask NYU for an extension.

Try to get more money from Chicago and NYU. I'm not sure how to approach it since you don't have a significantly better offer from a peer school--maybe honestly explaining the stalemate situation will help. April 3-5 could a great time to ask Chicago because the first two waves of Rubenstein recipients are supposed to have responded by April 2.

You're unlikely to get enough money at Columbia to make it worth considering alongside Chicago and NYU.

[dixiecupdrinking]

You can ask but I wouldn't expect much more money from these schools. Those are substantial scholarships.

[hookem12]

FWIW, NYU has the best international law program in the country, if that's something you're interested in. If it were me, I'd take NYU, due to the fact that your scholarship there will (likely) end up being more than at Columbia, and based on everything I've heard about UChicago, it's a miserable place. Seriously great options though, and I think it'd be hard to go wrong with any one of them!

[HeavenWood]

FWIW, NYU has the best international law program in the country, if that's something you're interested in.

No.

If it were me, I'd take NYU, due to the fact that your scholarship there will (likely) end up being more than at Columbia...

If this turns out to be case and he prefers NYC, I'd agree.

and based on everything I've heard about UChicago, it's a miserable place.

I've heard NYU is a miserable place as well. First, don't take rumors and second-hand accounts as gospel. Second, environment takes a back seat by far to career placement.

[chasgoose]

Columbia is out at this point because if you didn't get the Butler/Hamilton you aren't going to get enough to make it worth attending over Chicago/NYU (If you like Chicago more, CLS isn't worth it and if you would rather be in NYC, CLS is worth maybe $5-10k more if you really really like it). I would probably say Chicago here purely on a cost factor (cost of living has to add at least another $5-10k difference over NYU. Once again, the difference is small enough that you wouldn't be crazy for choosing NYU if you would rather be in NYC.

[Dany]

Visit Chicago and NYU and pick the one you like better.

[Bronck]

Visit Chicago and NYU and pick the one you like better.

[rad lulz]

.

[Mista Bojangles]

Visit Chicago and NYU and pick the one you like better.

This

Also LOL @ "international conflict law"

I realize that's kind of an awkward way of putting it, but it's my in-a-nutshell way of describing my specific interest area. I have a military background (served as a sharpshooter in the Israeli army and was recently discharged), and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a living and breathing obsession of mine (and no, I'm not crazy far-right regarding the issue, like you might automatically assume given my background). I definitely want my career to be involved with it.

[Br3v]

Chi

[rad lulz]

.