NYU v Penn Forum

[bobbyflayed]

I'm currently deciding between EDing NYU or Penn (3.62/171). I'm originally from California and, barring no job prospects in California, I'd like to avoid working on the East Coast. As with most people, I'm aiming for big law.

It seems to me that I'd be close to a lock at Penn with ED (given lsn info) but not a lock at NYU. Furthermore, EDing at NYU may entail not getting into either.

Finally, living in Manhattan seems to be significantly more expensive than Philly. Is there any benefit to living in NY outside of the obvious (not living in philly) that would be worth 30k or more in living expenses?

looks like Penn places better than NYU?

http://www.lawschooltransparency.com/20 ... tatistics/

[kaiser]

COL isn't necessarily higher at NYU. Live in Jersey City or Hoboken, do the 30 minute commute, and its probably even cheaper than Philly COL. Those who want cheaper COL around Manhattan/NYU area can certainly find it if they are flexible.

[bobbyflayed]

Well one of the big positives for me would be living in Manhattan given that the schools placement numbers are the same. I would not live outside of Manhattan if I went to NYU.

[kaiser]

Well one of the big positives for me would be living in Manhattan given that the schools placement numbers are the same. I would not live outside of Manhattan if I went to NYU.

Well, then you get the highest COL. Again, reasonable COL only comes from flexibility in the context of NYC. The areas around NYU are obviously very expensive. Though I'd imagine you can share an apt with other students in one of the cheaper areas of Manhattan. But if you do that, you are probably further, timewise, from the school than you would be if you lived outside Manhattan, whether in Brooklyn or Jersey City.

[bobbyflayed]

Well one of the big positives for me would be living in Manhattan given that the schools placement numbers are the same. I would not live outside of Manhattan if I went to NYU.

Well, then you get the highest COL. Again, reasonable COL only comes from flexibility in the context of NYC.

My original question was whether or not there were benefits to going to NYU over Penn outside of living in Manhattan given that the schools' placement numbers were pretty equal.

I know that living in Manhattan would have a higher COL, I would prefer to live in Manhattan over Philly though and was wondering if there were other benefits that may justify a higher COL.

[kaiser]

Well one of the big positives for me would be living in Manhattan given that the schools placement numbers are the same. I would not live outside of Manhattan if I went to NYU.

Well, then you get the highest COL. Again, reasonable COL only comes from flexibility in the context of NYC.

My original question was whether or not there were benefits to going to NYU over Penn outside of living in Manhattan given that the schools' placement numbers were pretty equal.

I know that living in Manhattan would have a higher COL, I would prefer to live in Manhattan over Philly though and was wondering if there were other benefits that may justify a higher COL.

NYU places more thoroughly into the highest-prestige firms, almost all of which are headquartered in NY. Sure, Penn places very well into the V100 as a whole, but you will find much more NYU representation in the top tier of firms. Take a look at the websites of pretty much any NYC-based V25 firm or office to confirm this. Plus, keep in mind that NYU is among the most PI-focused schools, in that a sizeable chunk of students decide to go the PI route, thus taking them out of the pool of students who go into large Vault firms. Sheer % in NLJ250 firms doesn't really paint a complete picture.

[opX]

if you want NYC Big law, id say NYU. If you are more open to other geographic areas for Big Law then Penn might make more sense.

COL is important etc etc - but your primary concern should be maximizing your career prospects for the type of job that you want. imo, commit all resources to that goal.

[Blessedassurance]

Why don't you apply RD to both?

[bobbyflayed]

Well one of the big positives for me would be living in Manhattan given that the schools placement numbers are the same. I would not live outside of Manhattan if I went to NYU.

Well, then you get the highest COL. Again, reasonable COL only comes from flexibility in the context of NYC.

My original question was whether or not there were benefits to going to NYU over Penn outside of living in Manhattan given that the schools' placement numbers were pretty equal.

I know that living in Manhattan would have a higher COL, I would prefer to live in Manhattan over Philly though and was wondering if there were other benefits that may justify a higher COL.

NYU places more thoroughly into the highest-prestige firms, almost all of which are headquartered in NY. Sure, Penn places very well into the V100 as a whole, but you will find much more NYU representation in the top tier of firms. Take a look at the websites of pretty much any NYC-based V25 firm or office to confirm this. Plus, keep in mind that NYU is among the most PI-focused schools, in that a sizeable chunk of students decide to go the PI route, thus taking them out of the pool of students who go into large Vault firms. Sheer % in NLJ250 firms doesn't really paint a complete picture.

Thank you for this info. I'm not inclined towards NYU based V25 firms, I honestly don't care what rank on vault the firm is if they pay me the same =) but the PI focus of NYU may help me out. Do you know what percentage of the students go into PI?

Does NYU's larger class affect job prospects compared to Penn's?

[bobbyflayed]

Why don't you apply RD to both?

Looks like I'm 50/50 on both RD. I don't want the option of not getting into either.

[opX]

remember prestige can have significant career implications. Its not just ego behind prestige. Credibility and name matters and will follow you forever.

[bobbyflayed]

remember prestige can have significant career implications. Its not just ego behind prestige. Credibility and name matters and will follow you forever.

which school are you referring to? NYU is higher ranked but Penn is well known in business?

[Blessedassurance]

Looks like I'm 50/50 on both RD. I don't want the option of not getting into either.

You'll get into one, they can't YP you. Write a good why Penn essay etc...

[rayiner]

COL isn't necessarily higher at NYU. Live in Jersey City or Hoboken, do the 30 minute commute, and its probably even cheaper than Philly COL. Those who want cheaper COL around Manhattan/NYU area can certainly find it if they are flexible.

Philly >> the Dirty Jerz.

Also, Jersey City or Hoboken are not cheaper than Philly.

[opX]

remember prestige can have significant career implications. Its not just ego behind prestige. Credibility and name matters and will follow you forever.

which school are you referring to? NYU is higher ranked but Penn is well known in business?

both - but I was actually referring to your first Job and 2L summer.

imo - ud have a beter career advantage coming from NYU for NYC big law than coming from Penn.

going to NYU would also satisfy any interviewer who demands to know "why NY!!!!!?"

[bobbyflayed]

Ah ok, ignore that PM just sent over.

[iMisto]

I believe opX is referring to firms. NYU will give you a better shot at the most prestigious firms, which, in turn, will/may benefit you throughout your career.

[opX]

I believe opX is referring to firms. NYU will give you a better shot at the most prestigious firms, which, in turn, will may benefit you throughout your career.

this

[goden]

If I can get my LSAT up I'd be in a similar situation as you since we have nearly the same GPA. I have a strong CA preference as well. If between NYU and Penn, my decision would come down to which school places the better in CA (if there is a non-negligible difference). If the difference is negligible, I'd probably ED Penn because of the near auto-admit. Plus I went there for undergrad and liked Penn/living in Philly.

I would, however, be hesitant about EDing anywhere because it would take away your ability to negotiate scholarships. And it would suck if you got into Berkeley but got in ED somewhere else.

[kaiser]

Does NYU's larger class affect job prospects compared to Penn's?

The larger class size isn't really an issue since NYC has so many opportunities in general (relative to other cities and locales). Thats why you can have two large schools like Columbia and NYU without one stepping on the toes of the other. In other words, the town is big enough for the both of them. And that is because there are typically enough positions to justify the large class sizes.

As for the % of NYU students that go the PI route, I can't say for sure. But the administration is always very helpful here at NYU, so why not call up the PI office, who will likely know that statistic.

As for the "as long as they pay the same" comment, I'd caution against such a mindset. Sure, if you go to a school where very few get biglaw, and you somehow manage to get any Vault job, then sure, any one is fine and you should just be happy to have a big firm job. But you are choosing between schools that will give you wonderful opportunities with the best firms. Prestige matters in the legal industry, and its the fuel that launches your career, and keeps you on a high trajectory throughout. Sure, getting paid is great, and pretty much any big firm will take care of you in that respect, but try and think about things in a more long-term sense.

[JamMasterJ]

COL isn't necessarily higher at NYU. Live in Jersey City or Hoboken, do the 30 minute commute, and its probably even cheaper than Philly COL. Those who want cheaper COL around Manhattan/NYU area can certainly find it if they are flexible.

Philly >> the Dirty Jerz.

Also, Jersey City or Hoboken are not cheaper than Philly.

JC and Hoboken are almost expensive as most of Manhattan. You will undoubtedly spend more if you come here, but we do have a solid California network from what I've heard. A ton of my class is from LA and there are several from northern California as well. Also, I'm not 100% sure, but I think our median's down to 171 so ED will probably get you in.

[kaiser]

COL isn't necessarily higher at NYU. Live in Jersey City or Hoboken, do the 30 minute commute, and its probably even cheaper than Philly COL. Those who want cheaper COL around Manhattan/NYU area can certainly find it if they are flexible.

Philly >> the Dirty Jerz.

Also, Jersey City or Hoboken are not cheaper than Philly.

It is if you know where to look. Lived in multiple places in Jersey City, never paid more than $800/month. Takes 15 min to get to downtown NY. Pretty awesome.

[Blessedassurance]

imo - ud have a beter career advantage coming from NYU for NYC big law than coming from Penn.

Not really.

[opX]

imo - ud have a beter career advantage coming from NYU for NYC big law than coming from Penn.

Not really.

prettttty sure there are more NYU alum partners at top law firms than upenn.

[bobbyflayed]

Which school places better back into LA or California in general? The NYC advantage is irrelevant for me; given the choice, I choose California over prestige.