UT Austin or Boston University? Forum

[grarhthegreat]

So I just got in off the waitlist at BU, and I have no idea what to do. In at UT with in-state tuition and 10k a year, but I want to end up working on the east coast so I feel like maybe BU is the better option? I know they're ranked lower, and to be frank, BU's employment data for 2011 was a little alarming. But I feel like Boston's got to be a better bet than Austin. I'm from Texas, and the whole state's a little bit of an armpit, let's not lie. Thoughts?

[akili]

If BU offers you money, then it wouldn't be a bad idea.
I wouldn't take it at sticker over UT in-state & scholly though.

I'm from Texas too and you are right about the armpit, but employment prospects are really good coming from UT. I am kind of focused on getting A legal job right now and worrying about where later...

[Doorkeeper]

Don't go to BU at sticker. See if they offer you some $$. Also, make sure to inform BU about your in-state tuition and 10k from Texas if they don't offer you anything.

[spleenworship]

IMO: BU only with significant money. Otherwise UT.

[StarLightSpectre]

Geez sometimes I wish you could exchange lawschool acceptances and scholarships like currency.

I'm in at BU with 35K a year and waitlisted at TX. I would trade you in a second.


But as far as your predicament. I wouldn't go BU unless they offered some money, and they should.

[grarhthegreat]

Thanks, guys! BU's being a little cagey about scholarships and "can't guarantee an offer before the acceptance deadline" so I'm honestly not sure how the scholarship matching will pan out.

I'm in at BU with 35K a year and waitlisted at TX. I would trade you in a second.

Sure, let's trade! Why would you choose UT over BU? Job prospects?

[StarLightSpectre]

Sure, let's trade! Why would you choose UT over BU? Job prospects?

Location. Most of my family is from Texas. I went to UG on the east coast and I know I would enjoy going to law school there too, but eventually I want to end up in Houston/Dallas/Austin.

I know BU could bring me back to TX but everything would be a lot easier with a UT JD.

Oddly enough their placement into NLJ 250 is pretty much the same.

[Elston Gunn]

What's the difference in COA? Like 70K+lower COL? And that's to go to a school with worse employment prospects in an area you presumably don't have ties to. I know TX outside of Austin isn't great, but this is a no brainer. Even if they were the same price, with TX ties, you'd be insane to pick BU.

[T00L]

Absolutely UT. If you can wrangle BU down to the same COA, then fine, but I would try to make them pay you even more than that to offset the accrued damage to your eyes three years in that BU building will cause you.

[Slevin Kelevra 2011]

UT without a doubt. These aren't comparable.

[bingbang1025]

UT without a doubt. These aren't comparable.

how aren't they comparable? arent job prospects similar?

[timbs4339]

UT unless BU comes through with a lower COA. Unless you want Boston, biglaw placement on the East Coast is going to be a long shot from either school.

[Nova]

UT without a doubt. These aren't comparable.

how aren't they comparable? arent job prospects similar?

Not even close.

69.9% of graduates were known to be employed in long-term, full-time legal jobs. This figure includes no school-funded jobs..
80.4% graduates were employed in long-term jobs.
87.2% graduates were employed in full-time jobs.

50.9% of graduates were known to be employed in long-term, full-time legal jobs. This figure includes no school-funded jobs..
60.1% graduates were employed in long-term jobs.
67% graduates were employed in full-time jobs.

[CanadianWolf]

Compare the total COA for each law school & the answer should be clear.

[Slevin Kelevra 2011]

UT places extremely well in TX.