UVA (75k) v. Chicago (30k) v. Cornell [Updated Poll] Forum

[RSterling]

I'm curious as to how much money people are willing to forego for T6.

A little background: I have little to no interest in NYC. I'm interested in clerking and then working for a firm either in DC or on the West Coast. I probably won't want to work for a firm forever and would ideally like to transition to fedgov after some time.

ETA: I put Berkeley on the poll in case someone feels real strongly about needing to go there for West Coast, but it's obviously not the best option (imo).

Update: I decided to add Cornell into the mix to see if anyone felt like this was a better option. I'm trying to avoid NYC, and Cornell doesn't really seem that national.

[Dr. Dre]

I would go for UVA... please, don't take berkeley. the state of california sucks and its getting worse. You're better off on the east coast.

[Ramius]

Did Berkeley turn you down for matching the UVA offer or have you not tried it yet? If you really were set on West Coast, Berkeley matching UVA would be the best choice, but if you'd rather gun for DC, take UVA and never look back.

Which do you want more?

Edit: Dre, when did Berkeley get added to your shit list? It used to be just UCI...look out Stanford, Dre is coming for you next.

[Big Dog]

Berkeley will at least match the others, so need to fix your poll.

For 'clerking' the clear edge is to Chicago, with Cal next.

For DC, the clear edge to UVa.

[Dr. Dre]

Edit: Dre, when did Berkeley get added to your shit list? It used to be just UCI...look out Stanford, Dre is coming for you next.

nah. Berkeley's a good school obviously. I'm just saying that OP shouldn't go to California because California sucks. east coast > west coast.

nothing to do with the law schools there, except, as you already know, TTTT's (uci)

[RSterling]

I haven't applied for Berkeley matching aid yet. I don't think that application is available yet?

I don't think Berkeley matching is a lock. From previous cycles, they seem pretty selective about what they match.

I lean towards the West Coast, so I would likely take Berkeley if they matched. And when I say West Coast, I'm much more keen on finding my way to Portland/Seattle (I have ties there), but I'd strongly consider CA if that was my only west coast option.

As far as UVA v. Chi, I think I'd like UVA better overally in terms of the atmosphere and student culture. Nothing against, Chicago, but I'm still not convinced that Chi students aren't intense shut-ins compared to other student bodies.

[Bronck]

Berkeley will at least match the others, so need to fix your poll.

For 'clerking' the clear edge is to Chicago, with Cal next.

For DC, the clear edge to UVa.

Clear edge? Chicago is no better than the other non-HYS T14 at getting clerkships . . .

[Bronck]

Edit: Dre, when did Berkeley get added to your shit list? It used to be just UCI...look out Stanford, Dre is coming for you next.

nah. Berkeley's a good school obviously. I'm just saying that OP shouldn't go to California because California sucks. east coast > west coast.

nothing to do with the law schools there, except, as you already know, TTTT's (uci)

Damn, you're turning into one of the most insufferable anti-WC trolls on here aren't you?

[Rahviveh]

Edit: Dre, when did Berkeley get added to your shit list? It used to be just UCI...look out Stanford, Dre is coming for you next.

nah. Berkeley's a good school obviously. I'm just saying that OP shouldn't go to California because California sucks. east coast > west coast.

nothing to do with the law schools there, except, as you already know, TTTT's (uci)

Also, Berkeley is literally a shithole. Come to HP

[Rahviveh]

Berkeley will at least match the others, so need to fix your poll.

For 'clerking' the clear edge is to Chicago, with Cal next.

For DC, the clear edge to UVa.

Berkeley does not auto match, it doesn't work that way

[Dr. Dre]

Also, Berkeley is literally a shithole.

This is true. The campus smells like urine, there are bums galore, and it's expen$sive.

[Dr. Dre]

Damn, you're turning into one of the most insufferable anti-WC trolls on here aren't you?

Nope. Just want to want to make clear that the west coast is not that great as people put it out to be. (it sucks)

[NoodleyOne]

That 75k is more than 75k when COA is factored in. You might be talking as much as a 60-75k difference between the two when that is factored in.

That's a lot of monopoly money.

[jym_dawg]

Have you tried negotiating with UVA yet? If your numbers or app got $ out of C, seems like you could get more out of V.

[RSterling]

Have you tried negotiating with UVA yet? If your numbers or app got $ out of C, seems like you could get more out of V.

I'd previously tried to negotiate using the 120k I received from Cornell and was told to call again towards the end of March. I'll probably just call them then and bring up the Chicago $ as well.

[RSterling]

I'll be honest, I wasn't really expecting the results to be leaning this far towards Chicago. Can some of those who voted Chicago explain their reasoning? I wasn't really feeling that Chi is worth and extra 45k plus extra COL. If it matters, I greatly prefer the (perceived) culture at UVA than at Chi.

[JollyGreenGiant]

The perceived cultures are overblown (at any school, imo. most T14 schools are going to have the same type of students). This is precisely the type of decision that should be made at ASWs. Go with your gut.

[RSterling]

Updated the poll to reflect the $ I received for Cornell. Would love to hear if that changes anyone's view one way of the other.

[BerkeleyBear]

I voted for Cornell. Too much money to pass up IMO. Unless UVA would offer more money.

I would go for UVA... please, don't take berkeley. the state of california sucks and its getting worse. You're better off on the east coast.

This as well.

[envisciguy]

Have you tried negotiating with UVA yet? If your numbers or app got $ out of C, seems like you could get more out of V.

I'd previously tried to negotiate using the 120k I received from Cornell and was told to call again towards the end of March. I'll probably just call them then and bring up the Chicago $ as well.

UVA might be open to negotiating based on the Cornell money - $120k is a lot. I seriously doubt that they'll care about the $30k from Chicago though. They're peer schools and the way UVA will see it, they're giving you a much better deal. Not saying it's not possible, just wouldn't expect it to make much of a difference. From my (albeit limited) understanding, you're going to need a higher offer from a peer school (Cornell's offer might count) to get some results.

I'd put it between UVA and Cornell. That would be a lot of money to pass up at Cornell (though their tuition is one of the highest in the T14).

[Rahviveh]

Have you tried negotiating with UVA yet? If your numbers or app got $ out of C, seems like you could get more out of V.

I'd previously tried to negotiate using the 120k I received from Cornell and was told to call again towards the end of March. I'll probably just call them then and bring up the Chicago $ as well.

UVA might be open to negotiating based on the Cornell money - $120k is a lot. I seriously doubt that they'll care about the $30k from Chicago though. They're peer schools and the way UVA will see it, they're giving you a much better deal. Not saying it's not possible, just wouldn't expect it to make much of a difference. From my (albeit limited) understanding, you're going to need a higher offer from a peer school (Cornell's offer might count) to get some results.

I'd put it between UVA and Cornell. That would be a lot of money to pass up at Cornell (though their tuition is one of the highest in the T14).

Problem is, OP sounds like he doesn't want to be in NYC.

It's a moot point because UVA will probably cut at least partially match Cornell's offer.

[bizzybone1313]

I have visited Chicago before. There is something about that place that irked me the wrong way. My gut told me to run as far away as possible. I had a weird feeling when I visited.

[twenty]

Cornell. Too much money to ignore.

[romothesavior]

Updated the poll to reflect the $ I received for Cornell. Would love to hear if that changes anyone's view one way of the other.

See if you can get more out of UVA. If they can get into the 100k+ range, I think I'd take UVA. As of now, I'd say Cornell.

Chicago is simply too much debt. 30k is a drop in the bucket when we're talking about 250k+.

[Emma.]

This is precisely the type of decision that should be made at ASWs. Go with your gut.

This.

Personally, I would probably pay an extra $45K for Chicago over UVA, but I also think personal preference based on intangibles is worth quite a lot. For example, if you were deciding between two peer schools (say UChi and CLS), had a much better feeling about CLS but it was going to cost $30K more to attend, I'd still take CLS in a heartbeat. Similarly, to the extent that "tiers" between T-14 schools are a thing, if you were deciding between a CCN school and one of MVP at the same price but really liked the MVP school better, that wouldn't be a crazy choice.

Definitely try to negotiate with both Chicago and UVA though.