Top Law Schools

Hey guys,

Just wanted to get your opinions on this tough decision. My top priority is to work in Chicago or another large Midwestern city (Milwaukee, Minneapolis, or St. Louis) after I graduate. I have lived in the Chicago area for my entire life but would not mind leaving the area for law school, as long as I get to return to the midwest afterwards. My choices are currently Wisconsin with a $105k scholarship, Illinois with a $100k scholly, and Cornell with $75k. I would eventually like to get into government work/politics, but I would prefer to pay off my loans before I enter the public sphere. Big law is obviously the best way to pay off my debt quickly, so I would not be opposed to it for several years after law school. I know that Illinois probably has the best alumni connections in Chicago, but a degree from Cornell holds a lot of weight in general. I worry about Cornell's placement in Chicago, but I know that my opportunities would be much better with a Cornell degree. The biggest benefit of Wisconsin is that, in comparison, I would graduate with almost no debt. I am not debt averse but am aware of the burden that a large student debt can be after graduation (although I have no undergraduate debt). Thanks

Edit: I also was nominated for a scholly at UW for full tuition, sponsored by a large law firm. It would include a summer associate position at the firm after 1L year and could result in a 2L summer job and possibly job after graduation. If I do get this scholarship, would it change any of your opinions?

Irish2012 wrote: I have lived in the Chicago area for my entire life but would not mind leaving the area for law school,

I do not believe that going to Cornell for 3 years will diminish your strong Chicago ties. If you perform well (maybe even "just" decently) at Cornell, there should be no trouble convincing firms during OCI that you want to return "home" to the Chicago office.

As a Chicago native they will love you. The "diversity" that you add by being one of the few Cornell kids in their SA interview schedule should also be a strong plus (I am thinking that they will have their fair share of U.Chicago, Northwestern, Illinois students that your different school will help you).

I vote Cornell.

If by gov work you mean DoJ/USAO/otheragencies then I'd take Cornell (might have to do a few years of biglaw before moving into that agency).

If by politics you mean running for elected office or helping those who do then uh, not law school?

You got 75k from Cornell and Northwestern isn't an option?

Nelson wrote:You got 75k from Cornell and Northwestern isn't an option?

Actually I was shut out of the top 25 other than Cornell (since Illinois is no longer t25). I wrote a couple essays (Why Cornell, diversity) that I exclusively sent to Cornell, but I do not think that they affected my application that much as they were in a similar tone as essays I sent to other schools. Cornell admissions committee just must have seen something that they liked in my app. My numbers are fairly low for a t14, but I have a few softs (illness, URM status).

By government and politics I do mean Department of Justice, USAO, and possibly judge in the future. Clerkship is something I would consider for my first years out of law school.

Irish2012 wrote:

Nelson wrote:You got 75k from Cornell and Northwestern isn't an option?

Actually I was shut out of the top 25 other than Cornell (since Illinois is no longer t25). I wrote a couple essays (Why Cornell, diversity) that I exclusively sent to Cornell, but I do not think that they affected my application that much as they were in a similar tone as essays I sent to other schools. Cornell admissions committee just must have seen something that they liked in my app. My numbers are fairly low for a t14, but I have a few softs (illness, URM status).

By government and politics I do mean Department of Justice, USAO, and possibly judge in the future. Clerkship is something I would consider for my first years out of law school.

URM? You need to retake and aim higher (like HYS) for those goals.

Nelson wrote:

Irish2012 wrote:

Nelson wrote:You got 75k from Cornell and Northwestern isn't an option?

Actually I was shut out of the top 25 other than Cornell (since Illinois is no longer t25). I wrote a couple essays (Why Cornell, diversity) that I exclusively sent to Cornell, but I do not think that they affected my application that much as they were in a similar tone as essays I sent to other schools. Cornell admissions committee just must have seen something that they liked in my app. My numbers are fairly low for a t14, but I have a few softs (illness, URM status).

By government and politics I do mean Department of Justice, USAO, and possibly judge in the future. Clerkship is something I would consider for my first years out of law school.

URM? You need to retake and aim higher (like HYS) for those goals.

Yea I considered a retake at first, until I got my scholarship from Cornell. I tested between about 165-170 in the 6 practice tests or so that I took and did score in that range. As of today though, I'd prefer to not do a retake and go to law school next year. Hopefully I will do fairly well at Cornell (if I attend) and will be able to get a clerkship and a solid job to get some ties after graduation

Cornell is your best option currently; however, if you receive the full tuition scholarship to Wisconsin with the paid biglaw internship, then Wisconsin might be the better choice.

Cornell.