cornell sticker vs vandy 10k/yr Forum

[Ruxin1]

I actually don't think I'd choose either school anywhere near sticker today.

Honestly, at these prices and assuming full financing by loans, not going to either is probably the best choice.

Look it's graduate school.... You have to take out hefty loans. As long as the OP does well at either school.... OP will be fine. I understand If you were wrestling between two T2 schools... It might make sense not to go to LS. TO say " oh what a shame ... I got into Vandy and Cornell Law but neither one is good enough" is absurd sorry

It's professional school and you don't HAVE to take out hefty loans, just because many choose to is besides the point.

ETA: OP will be fine - yes if he hits the biglaw coinflip and can stay in it for enough years to pay off the debt, THEN he will be fine.

[msblaw89]

I actually don't think I'd choose either school anywhere near sticker today.

Honestly, at these prices and assuming full financing by loans, not going to either is probably the best choice.

Look it's graduate school.... You have to take out hefty loans. As long as the OP does well at either school.... OP will be fine. I understand If you were wrestling between two T2 schools... It might make sense not to go to LS. TO say " oh what a shame ... I got into Vandy and Cornell Law but neither one is good enough" is absurd sorry

It's professional school and you don't HAVE to take out hefty loans, just because many choose to is besides the point.

Right, you dont have to. But it might not hurt you either, especially if you can get a high paying job ( which you can at either school) net worth over OPs life could be significantly greater than not going to a top LS at all

[Ruxin1]

He was admitted off the waitlist, so assuming his numbers were marginal, he could retake and reapply, get some scholly money and be in a less all-in predicament like you think is no big deal.

[jenesaislaw]

You are only focusing on top jobs with a bundle of ifs. Costs continue to rise, but expected value continues to dwindle. Good luck to you, but statistically this doesn't make sense for many people attending both of these relatively elite schools.

[rad lulz]

Whenever I hear someone say "as long as OP does well," which is something you have marginal control over, I lol.

[jenesaislaw]

Better than me...I bang my head with the gavel SCOTUS gave me after naming me associate justice. Oh yeah, "I did well."

[Law Sauce]

No preference means you are headed to NYC or your home market. For both of these, Cornell is the better choice (unless home market is in the SE.

[Doorkeeper]

The only way I would choose either of these schools is if I wanted NYC biglaw, then I would go Cornell.

If you want anything else, having over 200k in loans hanging over your head is probably not the best decision.

[Sauer Grapes]

Thank you! no regional preference at all.. Just want to hear from people who chose vandy over cornell why they made that choice

Neither are really gonna open up new regions you don't have previous ties to, so I'd figure this out.

I can't speak for Cornell specifically, but I had access to a few very insular markets from a similar ranked school and I didn't have any ties to any of them. These are secondary markets that the conventional TLS wisdom is they are next to impossible without ties. I wasn't exactly top of the class either (I was significantly over median though, maybe top 1/3)

Basically, what I am saying is that firms don't care about ties as much as you think they do. Have an honest reason why you want to be in the city or at the firm, and be sincere in how you convey that and it'll overcome no ties.

[rad lulz]

Thank you! no regional preference at all.. Just want to hear from people who chose vandy over cornell why they made that choice

Neither are really gonna open up new regions you don't have previous ties to, so I'd figure this out.

I can't speak for Cornell specifically, but I had access to a few very insular markets from a similar ranked school and I didn't have any ties to any of them. These are secondary markets that the conventional TLS wisdom is they are next to impossible without ties. I wasn't exactly top of the class either (I was significantly over median though, maybe top 1/3)

Basically, what I am saying is that firms don't care about ties as much as you think they do. Have an honest reason why you want to be in the city or at the firm, and be sincere in how you convey that and it'll overcome no ties.

Which markets?

[Sauer Grapes]

I'm hesitant to name the actual markets for fear that it'll out me on TLS. One may be near being considered a primary market, but I think it's still secondary.

Not: NY, DC, Chicago, LA, SF/SV

[rad lulz]

I'm hesitant to name the actual markets for fear that it'll out me on TLS. One may be near being considered a primary market, but I think it's still secondary.

Not: NY, DC, Chicago, LA, SF/SV

If so that would be a pretty solid result. Based on this massive ties thread we had like a month ago, and personal experiences and experiences of my friends, you're by far the exception, not the rule.

[KMaine]

I'm hesitant to name the actual markets for fear that it'll out me on TLS. One may be near being considered a primary market, but I think it's still secondary.

Not: NY, DC, Chicago, LA, SF/SV

If so that would be a pretty solid result. Based on this massive ties thread we had like a month ago, and personal experiences and experiences of my friends, you're by far the exception, not the rule.

Yeah, Boston loves Cornell, though usually some ties are required.

[Sauer Grapes]

I'm hesitant to name the actual markets for fear that it'll out me on TLS. One may be near being considered a primary market, but I think it's still secondary.

Not: NY, DC, Chicago, LA, SF/SV

If so that would be a pretty solid result. Based on this massive ties thread we had like a month ago, and personal experiences and experiences of my friends, you're by far the exception, not the rule.

That may be so as I am just one person.

I'm not saying ties aren't important. I guess I'm just saying that there are ways around ties since firms generally want ties because it is an indication you'll actually come to the firm and stay. If you can accomplish that in another way and come across as sincere, you can get over the ties hurdle.

[Schang1]

Thanks all for the great replies! Just thought I should clarify myself:

1. Will not be taking any loans.
2. I'm an international student and that's why I said I don't have any preference since I don't have any "ties" in the U.S.

[Sauer Grapes]

Thanks all for the great replies! Just thought I should clarify myself:

1. Will not be taking any loans.
2. I'm an international student and that's why I said I don't have any preference since I don't have any "ties" in the U.S.

With this extra info in mind, go to Cornell unless you hate snow and cold winters.

[zaltman]

I am going to Vandy with 25/yr over Cornell at sticker. I had a really tough decision but it basically came down the fact that I don't NEED to be in NY and I loved Vandy when I went down and visited it. Bottom line is they are both tremendous schools and I think that OP will be fine at either.