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East coast native; work experience in NYC. Probably looking to come back to NYC, doing big law but flexible and open to LA. Very interested in Entertainment Law. Love both schools but factoring in accessibility to LA since I frequently visit family around the country vs. the Cornell/Ivy League name. Pretty sure Cornell will open more doors in New York but UCLA will open the west coast and the connections to the entertainment industry.

Any other thoughts I should consider?? Thanks!

Any other options in this range of schools (Northwestern, USC, Georgetown, etc)?

Have you tried to negotiate with Cornell to give you money?

Which is more important to you: practicing in NY or doing entertainment law?

norcalChk wrote:Which is more important to you: practicing in NY or doing entertainment law?

irrelevant, as only one of those is a real option.

moneybagsphd wrote:

norcalChk wrote:Which is more important to you: practicing in NY or doing entertainment law?

irrelevant, as only one of those is a real option.

Not irrelevant because it has to do with the likelihood of different scenarios. Los Angeles has a bigger market for entertainment law, and going to UCLA will give you networking opportunities while in school (big plus). On the other hand, Cornell is closely tied with New York (but being a T14 it can also get you a job in LA).

Is 60K the total COA for UCLA or the 3 year scholarship offer from UCLA ?

If total COA for UCLA (a full tuition & fees scholarship) is $60,000, then UCLA is the better choice if targeting Southern California.

However, if the 60K is the three year scholarship offered by UCLA, then you need to calculate total COA for each school before deciding-- assuming that you are targeting Southern California. UCLA probably is the better choice in this situation also.

If undecided or open with respect to your target market, then Cornell is the better, albeit unattractive, option at sticker.

Thanks all! Waitlisted at NYU, GTown and Columbia.

UCLA is 60K over three years. Cornell won't budge on the financial aid, so they'll stay full price. I do realize that LA will be way more expensive than Ithaca, albeit probably not 20K a year more...

In terms of entertainment law vs. New York. I do love NYC and at least want to train as an attorney there. Cornell is probably the safer option in that respect. Then again, my passion has always been in the entertainment industry (totally realize that it's not as glamorous as it sounds but I'm even interested in financing contracts for movie studios, etc.)

Obviously will take Columbia/NYU in heartbeat but think if I choose UCLA over Cornell, I can give the entertainment industry a shot and while it sacrifices some percentage points in the NY market, as I understand, it won't close the door since UCLA is still a highly reputable school.

Still though, money+entertainment+weather or Ivy League+New York connection?

If you want to work in NYC, you have to go to Cornell. From what I have heard, UCLA will not transfer very well to NYC.

Also, you are out of state so UCLA is spectacularly expensive (55K), so that brings down the actual scholarship they are giving you. With the difference of tuition between UCLA and Cornell as well as the cost of living, how much more expensive is Cornell?