Vandy ($15k), Minnesota ($25k), UCI ($40k), or Arizona (full Forum

[FrankGallagher]

so I have no idea where I should go. Vanderbilt has been my top choice all along, but they gave me a lower offer than I was hoping for (is there any way I could negotiate based on these other offers?).

What complicates this is that except for Minnesota, the ASW's for all these schools are over the same April 5 weekend. And Arizona needs me to accept the full tuition scholarship by April 6. So I need a strategy for visiting - I'm hoping I can hit up UCI and Zona over spring break.

I'm somewhat debt averse as I don't plan on going into biglaw. I have no idea how to compare a small scholarship at Vandy to a full at Arizona. And then theres Minnesota with a solid offer, and then I dont have any idea on what to think about UCI since they're unranked. I'm basically panicking because I was hoping for a better offer from Vanderbilt and I just got it today.

What do you guys think? Is one of these a better offer than the others, or more value? What would you do?

I'm from Chicago and attend U of Iowa. Would love to go somewhere warm, which makes everything look better except Minnesota. But I also don't want to discount Minnesota just because of the weather because they seem like a great school. I just don't know. Help!



edit: should also add that I probably want to end up in the Midwest after law school. but at the same time I kind of want to leave the midwest for these three years since i want to live in another part of the country, and otherwise i'm living in the same area my whole life. sorry if that doesnt make sense

[Nova]

edit: should also add that I probably want to end up in the Midwest after law school. but at the same time I kind of want to leave the midwest for these three years since i want to live in another part of the country, and otherwise i'm living in the same area my whole life. sorry if that doesnt make sense

Since youre looking at regionals, you need to go to a law school that feeds into the market you wish to practice. Reputation and Alumni networks are invaluable. The time for exploration was undergrad, unfortunatily.

[FrankGallagher]

well i should say that working in the midwest is just a preference, its not a must. i could work anywhere

[Nova]

well i should say that working in the midwest is just a preference, its not a must. i could work anywhere

Oh, I see. Could you calculate your total cost of attendence each(tuition + fees + cost of living) + any undergrad debt you have ? That number will give a paint a better picture.

What legal fields are you interested in? Do you want big law?

[K Rock]

The time for exploration was undergrad.

[FrankGallagher]

well i should say that working in the midwest is just a preference, its not a must. i could work anywhere

Oh, I see. Could you calculate your total cost of attendence each(tuition + fees + cost of living) + any undergrad debt you have ? That number will give a paint a better picture.

What legal fields are you interested in? Do you want big law?

id be paying about the following for tuition at each school (over three years):

Vanderbilt: $98,000
Minnesota: $61,500
UC-Irvine: $39,000
Arizona: 0

idk about all the other costs...i assume they'd be somewhat comparable other than UCI might be more

i dont want to do biglaw. im not exactly sure what i want to do, im thinking public interest

[somewhatwayward]

Add estimated costs of living to those totals. Otherwise they are misleadingly low. Most schools post estimated COL on their website, but if you really can't find it, add maybe 50K to each to get a rough sense.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Arizona's employment stats are pretty good. Since you don't want big law, I'd go for free.

[Dr. Dre]

don't go to TTT UCI

[ndirish2010]

I don't understand how people can go to law school just knowing that they "don't want biglaw" and want to do "public interest" when they don't know what either of these things really mean.

[ManoftheHour]

I don't understand how people can go to law school just knowing that they "don't want biglaw" and want to do "public interest" when they don't know what either of these things really mean.

Exactly why when someone asks me what kind of law I want to do, my response is, "Maybe become a DDA or work in the corporate world, but it could all change while I'm in law school."

[FrankGallagher]

I don't understand how people can go to law school just knowing that they "don't want biglaw" and want to do "public interest" when they don't know what either of these things really mean.

i actually agree with this, but figured people would ask. its more just that id prefer to keep my options open, which is why having no or less debt would obviously be better as opposed to having a ton of debt and being forced to take the highest paying job i could get

[romothesavior]

Add estimated costs of living to those totals. Otherwise they are misleadingly low. Most schools post estimated COL on their website, but if you really can't find it, add maybe 50K to each to get a rough sense.

And interest and fees, which is probably another 10. This is going to cost a lot more than OP thinks.

OP, you really didn't do a good job applying to schools, to be quite honest. If you're from the Midwest, you should have peppered the Midwestern peer schools (UIUC, WUSTL, Iowa, etc.). IMO, you shouldn't be looking at places like UCI and Arizona unless you have ties. I think a full ride in the Midwest is a better option than a full ride at Arizona given your background.

What are your numbers? Any chance to improve your LSAT on a retake?

[FrankGallagher]

And interest and fees, which is probably another 10. This is going to cost a lot more than OP thinks.

I was only looking at each schools tuition, because thats where the major difference in $ will be. I understand there are obviously other costs, but I'm assuming they will mostly be comparable between schools.

OP, you really didn't do a good job applying to schools, to be quite honest. If you're from the Midwest, you should have peppered the Midwestern peer schools (UIUC, WUSTL, Iowa, etc.). IMO, you shouldn't be looking at places like UCI and Arizona unless you have ties. I think a full ride in the Midwest is a better option than a full ride at Arizona given your background.

What are your numbers? Any chance to improve your LSAT on a retake?

I did apply to those schools. I should reiterate that working in the Midwest isn't a make-or-break thing for me. It's a preference, yes, but it isn't necessary. It just gives a slight downgrade in value to UCI or Arizona for me. Anyways, Here's the breakdown of where I applied besides these four:

Accepted
Indiana - no substantial scholarship
Iowa - haven't heard about scholarships yet...I also go to Iowa for undergrad and don't really want to stay here for 3 more years
Illinois - 25% tuition scholarship. As a resident of IL, that's worth slightly less than $10k/yr

Waitlisted
UCLA
Texas

Still waiting to hear back
Chicago
NYU
GULC
UVA
WUSTL
BU

Rejected
UC-Berkeley
Northwestern

What are your numbers? Any chance to improve your LSAT on a retake?

169, 3.31

I doubt retaking the LSAT would help me here - that's the strength of my application.

[romothesavior]

You should have way better offers on the table with a 169/3.3. When did you apply? I'd take a year or two off, retake, and ED Northwestern.

And I get that practicing in the Midwest isn't a necessity for you, but since you're from here, it would give you the best job chances. Relocating to somewhere across the country puts you at a disadvantage.

[FrankGallagher]

i applied at the start of december to all schools except uva, gtown, and wustl...which i didnt apply to until a few weeks ago

what offers should i be getting with a 1.69/3.31? i thought id be borderline to even get into vanderbilt. my gpa is lower than every school's 25th percentile.

waiting a year or two isnt really an option. my gpa can't improve. it wouldnt be easy to improve upon my 169 lsat, and im not sure if a couple points would make a huge difference. i could be wrong though

[romothesavior]

i applied at the start of december to all schools except uva, gtown, and wustl...which i didnt apply to until a few weeks ago

what offers should i be getting with a 1.69/3.31? i thought id be borderline to even get into vanderbilt. my gpa is lower than every school's 25th percentile.

waiting a year or two isnt really an option. my gpa can't improve. it wouldnt be easy to improve upon my 169 lsat, and im not sure if a couple points would make a huge difference. i could be wrong though

A 170+/3+ will make you competitive at the splitter-friendly T14s. I would have expected more dough from the splitter-friendly T20s.

[rad lulz]

waiting a year or two isnt really an option. my gpa can't improve. it wouldnt be easy to improve upon my 169 lsat, and im not sure if a couple points would make a huge difference. i could be wrong though

So instead you'll make a gamble by going to expensive schools with mediocre career options, with the exception of Vanderbilt, which is just way too expensive, and all of these schools are in regions in which it will be hard for you to get a job?

The time for exploration and picking up and moving somewhere new was undergrad. Sorry brah.

Retake and reapply is the only smart decision.

[dissonance1848]

Romo and rad speak the truth. Ignoring their advice would (will) be catastrophic.

[FrankGallagher]

Romo and rad speak the truth. Ignoring their advice would (will) be catastrophic.

really? catastrophic? i dont think any of these four options would be as bad as you are making it sound.

its pretty interesting that minn/uci/zona are exactly even in the poll results, i would have expected some differentiation. still half the people are voting vanderbilt as the best even with only $15k. im gonna end up visiting all four of these and then reevaluate...and hopefully by then i will have heard from some other schools

[Arcticlynx]

I have no idea what UCI is like is a law school, but I wouldn't want to live there.

[Dmini7]

I have no idea what UCI is like is a law school, but I wouldn't want to live there.

Any particular reason why? Being from around the area I am just curious. Now if you said you were a URM or LGBT, then I could understand why you want to avoid O.C. But I don't know if you are.

[rad lulz]

Romo and rad speak the truth. Ignoring their advice would (will) be catastrophic.

really? catastrophic? i dont think any of these four options would be as bad as you are making it sound.

its pretty interesting that minn/uci/zona are exactly even in the poll results, i would have expected some differentiation. still half the people are voting vanderbilt as the best even with only $15k. im gonna end up visiting all four of these and then reevaluate...and hopefully by then i will have heard from some other schools

Go look at LST an get scared

[Arcticlynx]

I have no idea what UCI is like is a law school, but I wouldn't want to live there.

Any particular reason why? Being from around the area I am just curious. Now if you said you were a URM or LGBT, then I could understand why you want to avoid O.C. But I don't know if you are.

Ok, subjective statement. compared with Portland, OR and Flagstaff, AZ I did not enjoy my time in Anaheim... I thought that there was comparatively very little to do, lots of people, lots of traffic and felt kinda trapped in a big city... I don't think it has much character, but that is my impression after living there for two months - so I should have qualified my statement.

I have no idea what UCI is like is a law school, but based on personal experience - Tucson is a better place to live in my opinion.

[/quote]

[FrankGallagher]

just got accepted to WUSTL, so ill have to see what scholarship they offer me