Columbia (85K total debt) vs. NYU (45K total debt) Forum

[ahnhub]

I am using the G.I. Bill, which covers COL and roughly 1/2 tuition at both schools. NYU offered a 37.5K (45K if I do public interest) scholarship; Columbia didn't offer anything.

My priorities for after-graduation are:

1) federal gov't (if I can't do it entry-level I'd like to transition later on)
2) Biglaw in any market--I'm fine with NYC
3) Regional biglaw in my home market (Detroit)
4) Something stable but not soul-crushing

Have no interest in PI at this moment, but I'm flexible. I have about 40K saved up, and I may use it to defray my loans. I will be in my early 30's when I graduate. Thanks!

[soj]

Won't Columbia match? Unless you stongly prefer CLS, take NYU.

[Doorkeeper]

Tough call. You should research federal government hiring from these two schools to see if there's any difference. If it's not significant, I would go NYU here.

[ahnhub]

Won't Columbia match? Unless you stongly prefer CLS, take NYU.

I sent them my NYU offer before they determined awards but still bupkis. I was surprised I got anything from NYU frankly. I'm below both their LSAT medians.

[Lovely Ludwig Van]

Sounds like it comes down to $40K for an Ivy League name.

[Perdevise]

If you do spend your savings, you could graduate from NYU with 0 debt, even COL. That sounds pretty incredible.

[quiver]

If you do spend your savings, you could graduate from NYU with 0 debt, even COL. That sounds pretty incredible.

T6 school with no debt sounds amazing. I'd take that deal in a heartbeat; I don't think CLS is worth 40k more than NYU.

[bk1]

I'd pick your preference. A lot of people seem to favor NYU since it's 1/2 as much but I think if the numbers were 200k vs 240k it would be a lot closer. I'd probably save the money and take NYU but if you really prefer CLS I don't think the cost is that different that you'd be crazy to do it.

[Dany]

I'd go to NYU but CLS wouldn't be crazy.

[kaiser]

CLS isn't worth $40K more than NYU. NYU is easy choice here. The 2 schools are essentially peers, so I think the smart advice is to pick based on which gives more $$ (unless you have some absurdly strong preference than for whatever reason is worth forgoing $40K)