Is it a horrible idea to pick Penn over Chicago? Forum

[Shooter]

Hi TLS,

This is a follow-up to an earlier post.

I am getting slightly more money at Penn and I just like the school more and would be happier in general. Is Chicago too good to pass up for this reason? Is Chicago's placement power and preftige so vastly superior to Penn that this is a dumb idea?

Please be honest!

[thelawyler]

Horrible? Hardly.

[skers]

How much money we talking? Where do you wan to end up?

If you aren't targeting Chicago, it's not a horrible idea.

[Shooter]

I want to be a transactional attorney in NY or DC, hopefully for a strong firm (v25-ish). A difference of about 20k.

[skers]

I want to be a transactional attorney in NY or DC, hopefully for a strong firm (v25-ish). A difference of about 20k.

V25ish firm is a useless designation.

If you want to end up in NY, spending less at Penn, and prefer it, not a bad decision at all.

[desertlaw]

On TLS: where being happier and getting more money is questioned. This is TLS.

[Shooter]

Yeah, I guess that particular designation is pretty useless. I just used it as a quick proxy for a really good firm that works on big deals, etc. Not necessarily Wachtell, just somewhere well regarded with good exit options.

[Xifeng]

Yeah, go to Penn if you don't want Chicago and think you'd be happier there

[FryBreadPower]

You also have consider how being happier may have an impact on your success.

[Pato_09]

It is not a horrible decision at all. It is the wise and reasonable decision based on your circumstances.

[Tadatsune]

Go for it. (I would.)

[beachbum]

Hard to put a price on happiness, and being miserable probably isn't great for the GPA. Penn is a good school that matches up well with your career goals; go to Penn.

[CanadianWolf]

No, unless you're targeting the Chicago market.

[Emma.]

I ... would be happier in general.

Go to Penn.

[quiver]

Yes, it would be a horrendous mistake that your career will never recover from.








But seriously, go to Penn, it's the right choice here. These are two of the best law schools in the country, don't over think it.

[kaiser]

Going to a top 10 school which is giving you $$, and at which you feel you would be happier is never a bad decision. In fact, its quite a good decision. You aren't turning down a T14 at sticker for a TTT full ride. You are turning down one awesome school for another awesome school. Don't think for one second that you would be making a bad decision here.

Its important to go to the school where you will be happy, or else you will be a sad (red) panda

[StartSomething]

Makes sense to me.