Top Law Schools

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Cornell for the reasons identified. Namely, I think 60ish K is worth it for a better degree/better job prospects in a location that appeals to you. Being close to sick parents is also huge.

I'd say I'm only average in my ability to give decent advice, by my vote is also with Cornell. I think not knowing specifically what you want suggests going to a school that would be able to successfully give you more options for a career. And, while the ranking difference seems to be minimal, the employment options between the two schools is quite different and there is a bit of a dropoff. Nevermind Georgetown and NU passing them up, that ebbs and flows anyways.

Also, I can't really have anything but empathy for the situation with your parents because I've never experienced it, but if it were me I would greatly prefer the driving proximity.

I visited Vandy before picking Penn for a much higher price. I LOVED Vandy and Nashville, but since I probably am going to end up trying to go to NYC I didn't want to take a chance with a school that places fewer students there. If you go to Vandy, your hand may be forced to go somewhere even further from your parents/NY/etc.

If someone wants to clarify/correct anything I said, please do.

Bump bump where's the bump?

I agree with your father, especially to the extent that "over 30" means you're in your mid-30s, i.e., you'll be pushing 40 by the time you graduate. There's lots of not very subtle age discrimination in big law associate hiring, and that means the debt difference is likely to be very significant for you.

Why do you only have one day? That is ridiculous. I wouldn't do either of these, fwiw.

Make a poll and include neither as a choice. A lot of time people will vote but not feel like posting.

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Most people take Cornell in this situation, but Vandy is justifiable for sure.

lowry99 wrote:Main concern...if you fall below the top 25% at Cornell you still went to Cornell...if you fall below the top 25% at Vandy and you're looking at the Northeast you look like "why should I think about this guy? I have somebody that was top 40% at Cornell!"

This would do it for me... It sounds like you have a fairly strong preference for being in the NE. *insert standard "lower ranked school does not mean higher GPA* stuff here*. Grades being equal, Cornell seems significantly more likely to get you employed in the areas you're most interested in and in general is more likely to get you a job that will help pay back the debt from either school.

Also agree with PennBull that if the parents having issues is an important factor for you, that should seal it in favor of Cornell...

0L here who also had strong location preferences when I was applying, so take that for what it's worth.

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lowry99 wrote:Cornell wins the day.

And I think you did too. Good luck sir.

Thank you. I wish I could pretend to have been decisive and sure footed.

Are you still on Duke's wait list? I know that they love legacies at their ug and since law school legacies are much more rare I'd have a hard time imagining you not getting in. Considering that your dad is an attorney and can probably hook you up with people and help you out when you graduate Vanderbilt is probably your best bet. But I'd continue to stay on duke's waitlist if you can (not that I think duke is way better than Cornell but that legacy stuff is cool, and having something cool to talk about is always helpful)

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