Top Law Schools

I am having a really difficult time making this decision. Michigan has offered me $20,000/year compared to UCLA's $41,000. Additionally, I will be receiving 20,000/year from my family for either school. The remainder will be covered with loans, leaving the total debt at $84,000 and $28,000 respectively. When I decided to entertain the possibility of law school my interest was entertainment law, specifically contracts in the film industry. After doing research and divining that I was laboring under a misguided delusion with regard to my chances of working in entertainment (especially right out of school), I'm now more concerned with getting the best legal education at the best value. Is Michigan worth an extra 56k? I love the atmosphere at Michigan but was also impressed by UCLA's campus and the surrounding Westwood area. Both seemed like solid places to be a student. Since I hail from the Midwest and would only know a few people in either area, I believe my chances of success would be higher in a place with a more accessible/supportive student body. I've heard UCLA can be really competitive, but I didn't get that vibe when I visited for ASD. Any suggestions and/or insights?

Michigan unless you have a huge preference for Southern California (and you might).

UCLA is a great deal for 28K worth of debt, but so is Michigan for 84K.

Michigan is worth the 56k. Graduating from Michigan with under 100k in loans is a great deal.

At UCLA everybody is fighting to be in the top 1/3 to be considered for LA biglaw.

Plus Michigan just has much better biglaw stats anyways.

Close call, in my opinion, if you want to work in Southern California and/or if you are debt averse. For overall job prospects nationally, Michigan is the better choice.

Is Michigan a better choice if I'm hoping to land in Northern California?

IrishThunder wrote:Is Michigan a better choice if I'm hoping to land in Northern California?

Out of curiosity, what are your numbers?

170/3.74, upward trend after an awful freshman year

If you're truly interested in entertainment law, and more specifically working in the film industry, you couldn't do much better than going to school in LA. Regarding competitiveness, I've heard to the contrary. I suppose it depends on who you ask, though. Lots of schools have reputations for competitive atmospheres that quickly diminish once you get there.

My vote, then, would be for UCLA.

Edit: Just realized UCLA was at $41,000/year. This makes it an obvious choice. That's nearly a full ride in terms of tuition. Take it and run with it.

Cartman wrote:If you're truly interested in entertainment law, and more specifically working in the film industry, you couldn't do much better than going to school in LA. Regarding competitiveness, I've heard to the contrary. I suppose it depends on who you ask, though. Lots of schools have reputations for competitive atmospheres that quickly diminish once you get there.

My vote, then, would be for UCLA.

Says the guy on the Michigan waitlist.

tfleming09 wrote:

Cartman wrote:If you're truly interested in entertainment law, and more specifically working in the film industry, you couldn't do much better than going to school in LA. Regarding competitiveness, I've heard to the contrary. I suppose it depends on who you ask, though. Lots of schools have reputations for competitive atmospheres that quickly diminish once you get there.

My vote, then, would be for UCLA.

Says the guy on the Michigan waitlist.

Indeed. Full disclosure is that I am on Michigan's waitlist. However, owing to the fact that OP wants entertainment law, and specifically film related entertainment law, AND owing to the fact that he's almost getting a full ride in tuition, I don't see why UCLA isn't a great option.

Take what you will. Congrats on the awesome options, OP!

Edit: And, for the record, I'm on both WL's.

IrishThunder wrote:I am having a really difficult time making this decision. Michigan has offered me $20,000/year compared to UCLA's $41,000. Additionally, I will be receiving 20,000/year from my family for either school. The remainder will be covered with loans, leaving the total debt at $84,000 and $28,000 respectively. When I decided to entertain the possibility of law school my interest was entertainment law, specifically contracts in the film industry. After doing research and divining that I was laboring under a misguided delusion with regard to my chances of working in entertainment (especially right out of school), I'm now more concerned with getting the best legal education at the best value. Is Michigan worth an extra 56k? I love the atmosphere at Michigan but was also impressed by UCLA's campus and the surrounding Westwood area. Both seemed like solid places to be a student. Since I hail from the Midwest and would only know a few people in either area, I believe my chances of success would be higher in a place with a more accessible/supportive student body. I've heard UCLA can be really competitive, but I didn't get that vibe when I visited for ASD. Any suggestions and/or insights?

I vote UCLA since I am probably going there, but I do think Michigan is the better school.

I would rather spend a winter in UCLA than Michigan.