UCLA vs Northwestern

[pedestrian]

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[Justin Genious]

I would say UCLA is the clear choice because 300k+ in debt would be a depressing figure to look at after graduation. UCLA still does fairly well in placing students into biglaw and NU is not worth 150k more than UCLA for a person in your situation.

[andres]

I think UCLA is a no brainer. If you want to graduate with as little debt as possible and work in CA, then UCLA is probably your best option.

[thelawyler]

Let's just say this: you've got two good options in the bag, but wait until you have to lay down for deposits that other options might come soon.

[Rahviveh]

What is total COA? The previous replies don't consider that if you have six figures if debt already your debt at graduation could approach 200k. Are you borrowing for COL?

[Ti Malice]

I just don't think there's any way you can sensibly pick NU at sticker with almost six figures of undergrad debt. You'll be coming out of law school with somewhere around $350K of debt on the day you graduate. You would be shoveling somewhere around $4K per month into debt service for 10 years.

I wouldn't even consider either of these options, actually. You should retake the LSAT and get substantial money at a T13 before going to law school.

[pedestrian]

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[pedestrian]

I just don't think there's any way you can sensibly pick NU at sticker with almost six figures of undergrad debt. You'll be coming out of law school with somewhere around $350K of debt on the day you graduate. You would be shoveling somewhere around $4K per month into debt service for 10 years.

I wouldn't even consider either of these options, actually. You should retake the LSAT and get substantial money at a T13 before going to law school.

I'm a splitter, so the LSAT isn't the problem. If I could only retake my UGPA I would! I've been obsessing over the pros and cons of law school for awhile, believe me - in my case it is the least bad option (and hopefully a very good option)

[Big Dog]

with a 3.3/175+, you are a super splitter, so just have to wait it out.

[Rahviveh]

with a 3.3/175+, you are a super splitter, so just have to wait it out.

+1 hope for some money at a T14 and be patient over the summer

[Cobretti]

NU's scholly awards take need into consideration moreso than most other non HYS, so you have a reasonable chance at getting some $ there. Last year they gave some <25GPA, >75LSAT 45-60k schollies. If the difference is 290K total debt at NU vs ~190K out of UCLA it might not be as straight forward as some people are saying.

Even at 190K at UCLA you are going to have to be big law or bust, and big law at UCLA is gonna require top 30% placement for sure.