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EDIT: Penn matched Chicago money, so my decision is made.

I would go Chicago here, as it maximizes your biglaw prospects. I don't think an extra 50k is unreasonable to pay for that security. Any matches from Columbia or NYU on your Chicago or Duke money?

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Nelson wrote:

Doorkeeper wrote:I would go Chicago here, as it maximizes your biglaw prospects. I don't think an extra 50k is unreasonable to pay for that security. Any matches from Columbia or NYU on your Chicago or Duke money?

Amounts are fully negotiated. Columbia/NYU declined to offer anything. I really twisted Chicago's arm to get this much.

Well with Columbia you have to submit all of your financials in before they even offer you anything. I'm pretty shocked NYU didn't at least match Chicago, and I know from experience that Chicago has been oddly stingy with money this year. Considering the numbers, it's a tough call. I'd lean Chicago here, but I think it has to do with your level of debt aversion. Does anyone know how well Chicago and Duke place into NYC?

Is the 45k that important to you? It really seems like you would be going to Chicago begrudgingly. 15k a year isn't that much in the grand scheme of things if you'd be far happier at NYU, Columbia, or Penn.

cjcregg wrote:Is the 45k that important to you? It really seems like you would be going to Chicago begrudgingly. 15k a year isn't that much in the grand scheme of things if you'd be far happier at NYU, Columbia, or Penn.

Agree.

CanadianWolf wrote:

cjcregg wrote:Is the 45k that important to you? It really seems like you would be going to Chicago begrudgingly. 15k a year isn't that much in the grand scheme of things if you'd be far happier at NYU, Columbia, or Penn.

Agree.

Double agree. Try and get Penn to match.

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Your goal is:

Nelson wrote: I am only interested in firm work, so PI and academia options are not a big deal. Target markets are NYC or Philly (where I have ties).

So your best options, objectively speaking, would be Columbia, NYU, Cornell, and Penn. You didn't apply to Cornell so that's out. NYU and Columbia at sticker are better for your goals than Duke, I think (assuming you don't otherwise really love Duke, which you don't). So Duke is out. NYU and Columbia at sticker are not better than Chicago with 45k. So I'd do Chicago.

I agree that Penn might make more sense if they match the scholarship. As would NYU or Columbia if they threw you a bone. But Chicago is still a top dog and should get you back to NYC and Philly, especially since you have ties.

Chicago is a safer bet if you're biglaw or bust. 15k year is a decent chunk of change, and presumably Chicago will have a higher COA, but if you're dead set on biglaw, Chicago obviously gives you a better shot at it.

You got yield-protected pretty hard by UVA and Mich huh?