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I have been reading the responses to similar questions, and everybody seems to really hate on Emory.

Background: I have 7 years of work experience (graduated 2005) with 3.39 and 169 (168 1st time). My wife is from Atlanta and that is where we want to end up after law school.

I have a $23k/yr scholarship at Emory and $15k/yr at Vanderbilt. Cost of living will be cheaper with Emory since my wife's family is there and she has a better network for jobs.

I don't want to sacrifice any opportunities post school, but am leaning toward less debt/making my wife happy by moving to Atlanta.

Thoughts? (I am also on "hold" at Northwestern - if I got in probably no money)

The placement difference between Vandy and Emory is real. 45k from Vanderbilt isn't bad. I would definitely go there over Emory. Doing well at Vandy can get you back to Atlanta.

scr415 wrote:I have been reading the responses to similar questions, and everybody seems to really hate on Emory.

Background: I have 7 years of work experience (graduated 2005) with 3.39 and 169 (168 1st time). My wife is from Atlanta and that is where we want to end up after law school.

I have a $23k/yr scholarship at Emory and $15k/yr at Vanderbilt. Cost of living will be cheaper with Emory since my wife's family is there and she has a better network for jobs.

I don't want to sacrifice any opportunities post school, but am leaning toward less debt/making my wife happy by moving to Atlanta.

Thoughts? (I am also on "hold" at Northwestern - if I got in probably no money)

If you want to end up in Atlanta, I think Emory, hands down. Vandy def has a leg up on hiring, but not much of a leg up in Altanta. Make your wife happy, sir.

Vandy because it's better for Atlanta than Emory. Contrary to what above poaster said, noticeably so. Take it from a 2L who just wend through large firm hiring there along with a bunch of people I know.

rad lulz wrote:Vandy because it's better for Atlanta than Emory. Contrary to what above poaster said, noticeably so. Take it from a 2L who just wend through large firm hiring there along with a bunch of people I know.

^Is this bc Emory sucks or Vandy is that good?

tennisking88 wrote:

rad lulz wrote:Vandy because it's better for Atlanta than Emory. Contrary to what above poaster said, noticeably so. Take it from a 2L who just wend through large firm hiring there along with a bunch of people I know.

^Is this bc Emory sucks or Vandy is that good?

Both?

tennisking88 wrote:

rad lulz wrote:Vandy because it's better for Atlanta than Emory. Contrary to what above poaster said, noticeably so. Take it from a 2L who just wend through large firm hiring there along with a bunch of people I know.

^Is this bc Emory sucks or Vandy is that good?

Both

Is there a benefit to going to Northwestern (at sticker) if I were to get in vs. taking the for money at Vandy?

Not for where you want to practice.

I have no idea what the difference in getting a job in Atlanta would be between Vanderbilt and NU. But for overall job prospects I would personally definitely take NU at sticker over 45K from Vanderbilt.

You'll be in massive debt from both. But if you are 100% committed to Atlanta and the South generally, I'd do Vandy. If you want biglaw anywhere, NU would be better.

Emory:
- Seems to have a lot of haters in the South. I live in the South and have some limited anecdotal evidence to support that claim, but a lot of other people here say the same thing.
- Is on a rankings roller-coaster. Admitedly, legal hiring isn't affected by yearly fluctuations, but who knows if Emory will ever return to its pre-ITE ranking, and eventually significant changes in the rankings start to matter.
- You've probably read what Emory students say about the career services office.

Vandy
- Amazing placement statistics for a non-T14, especially for people with ties to the South (e.g., you).
- None of Emory's problems.

Vanderbilt. But if Northwestern accepts you, then seek more money from both Vanderbilt & Emory even though one has a "no negotiation: reputation.