Penn vs. Mich Forum

[jrthor10]

I've posted about my predicament before, but I am hoping for more specific information these schools.
Background: 171, 3.44 applied in early January after Dec. Lsat. In at GULC and a few others, but wait listed at most of the T-14. Barring getting off a wait list, I am going to wait a year. I have a pretty good job lined up for next year, and so I am in no hurry.
My two most likely options as I see them now:

1. Ask to be deferred at Mich-- I am currently wait listed here, but they allow students to request deferral to the following years class if they would like. I am visiting the school in the next month to see if I like it.

2. Apply next year ED to Penn-- My stats seem to give me a pretty good shot with ED here. I like the area and employment prospects. Haven't seen the new law buildings yet.
From the midwest. Goal is to get Chicago, but if not there, a major market over any other secondary market in the midwest. I like the idea of knowing where I am going next year soon (ie ask Michigan for a deferral) but I am also worried about their recently-released OCI results.

A. Can anyone speak to what direction Michigan seems to be going? I would assume this was a one year blip, like most of the other T-14, but they seem to have taken a larger than average hit. Can any current students speak to the feelings on campus regarding jobs?

B. Are there any other significant differences btwn Penn and Michigan worth considering besides location and COL. How real are the employment differences, specifically for the Midwest?

Finally, someone suggested before considering to apply ED next cycle to UChicago. All available stats on LSN don’t seem too promising for this route, but I am curious if anyone has any first-hand knowledge on this.

Thanks

[bdole2]

Career goals?

[Doorkeeper]

I would go Penn if you want biglaw and don't care about where. It's great that you're visiting so you can get a feel of the campus. Is NYU ED possible? I haven't looked up the possibilities on LSN. I would think it's a bit too much of a reach, but I don't know.

[skers]

I nabbed UChicago on an ED with very similar stats. Waiting a year to apply will only help you and failing U of C go to NW. Also, I wouldn't take the deferment at Michigan because it limits options where you might get $ failing your Chicago ED. However, if you really want Chicago (and don't have existing ties) I'd go all in for NW or U of C.

[jrthor10]

Want biglaw. Have ties to the midwest, but not specifically Chicago.

[grimfan]

I nabbed UChicago on an ED with very similar stats. Waiting a year to apply will only help you and failing U of C go to NW. Also, I wouldn't take the deferment at Michigan because it limits options where you might get $ failing your Chicago ED. However, if you really want Chicago (and don't have existing ties) I'd go all in for NW or U of C.

According to your profile, you had a 3.7 GPA, which is considerably better than the OP's.

[skers]

I nabbed UChicago on an ED with very similar stats. Waiting a year to apply will only help you and failing U of C go to NW. Also, I wouldn't take the deferment at Michigan because it limits options where you might get $ failing your Chicago ED. However, if you really want Chicago (and don't have existing ties) I'd go all in for NW or U of C.

According to your profile, you had a 3.7 GPA, which is considerably better than the OP's.

GPA in profile is different than real GPA hth.

[2014]

I wouldn't count on UChicago but it doesn't sound like you are anyway.

Given Penn v. Mich I would ED to Penn unless you have a significant pull to Ann Arbor.

[Sherwood2014]

Penn's new law building is surreal. Justice Sonia Sotomayor was at the ribbon cutting last week.

http://www.law.upenn.edu/about/newbuilding/index.html

[soj]

Penn's new law building is surreal. Justice Sonia Sotomayor was at the ribbon cutting last week.

http://www.law.upenn.edu/about/newbuilding/index.html

You'd think they'd make the school seem a little more diverse considering they didn't even have to use real people.

[DaftAndDirect]

TLS loves Penn mostly because TLS loves Big Law. I chose Mich because I love the environment and I know it will have a major impact on my ability to slog through law school. However, Penn is still probably the better raw Big Law option.

I don't have an answer about Michigan's "direction" because I don't think anyone has enough information on the school's performance to make a call either way. That said, though suspicion about Michigan's standing is warranted, I think the "Michigone" hate on TLS is way overblown.

[skers]

TLS loves Penn mostly because TLS loves Big Law. I chose Mich because I love the environment and I know it will have a major impact on my ability to slog through law school. However, Penn is still probably the better raw Big Law option.

I don't have an answer about Michigan's "direction" because I don't think anyone has enough information on the school's performance to make a call either way. That said, though suspicion about Michigan's standing is warranted, I think the "Michigone" hate on TLS is way overblown.

OMGZ Hogwarts

[Tiago Splitter]

BigLaw=Penn

BigSheepFarming=Michigan

To add something useful to the thread, Descartesb4thehorse got in off the Mich WL with a one year deferral with identical stats.

[FloridaCoastalorbust]

Penn's new law building is surreal. Justice Sonia Sotomayor was at the ribbon cutting last week.

http://www.law.upenn.edu/about/newbuilding/index.html

I wish studying in law school was like the music playing behind the video of golkin hall

[woeisme]

I think you should do Northwestern. Should get in with ED and would be competitive even without.

As between Penn and Mich, it's a wash for Chicago. For any other market, Penn. That's my opinion.

[skers]

I think you should do Northwestern. Should get in with ED and would be competitive even without.

As between Penn and Mich, it's a wash for Chicago. For any other market, Penn. That's my opinion.

With the new ED program, LOLNO

[woeisme]

With the new ED program, LOLNO

Oh yeah... I forgot about that.