UVA v Michigan v Vandy Forum

[AJBlaw2013]

1. Not retaking, currently working as a CPA for a big four accounting firm as a gap year between undergrad and law school, hate it and looking to move now.
2. Looking Biglaw on the east coast

Looking for perspective on UVA v Michigan at similar cost, or both v Vanderbilt at a lesser cost.

[hephaestus]

I think this is an easy call for UVA, especially since you want big law.

[Justin Genious]

I think this is an easy call for UVA, especially since you want big law.

[californiabeauar]

Enjoy UVA. I'm jealous

[WahooLaw24]

Enjoy UVA. How big of a scholly did you get (if you don't mind me asking) to get it down to that estimated COA?

[gaud]

UVA > Michigan > Vandy

[thelawyler]

Meh, I'd pick whichever one between UVA and Mich you prefer.

[rad lulz]

In order to receive the best feedback in this forum, please provide as much of the following information in your original post as possible:

-The schools you are considering
-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each. COA = cost of tuition + fees + books + cost of living (COL) + accumulated interest - scholarships. Here is a helpful calculator.
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)
-Your general career goals
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
-How many times you have taken the LSAT

[BigZuck]

I think this is an easy call for UVA, especially since you want big law.

[framboozer]

Definitely UVA. Enjoy Charlotteville. Sigh, when will they try back to me.

[patrickd139]

1. Not retaking, currently working as a CPA for a big four accounting firm as a gap year between undergrad and law school, hate it and looking to move now.
2. Looking Biglaw on the east coast

Looking for perspective on UVA v Michigan at similar cost, or both v Vanderbilt at a lesser cost.

(hates big4 lyfe)

(wants East Coast biglaw)

[Nationals27]

Meh, I'd pick whichever one between UVA and Mich you prefer.

I agree. This should be about fit, and where you think you'll be most comfortable. The difference in big law placement between Mich and UVA seems pretty marginal to me.

[GMGP]

Meh, I'd pick whichever one between UVA and Mich you prefer.

I agree. This should be about fit, and where you think you'll be most comfortable. The difference in big law placement between Mich and UVA seems pretty marginal to me.

There is a huge difference in placement between Mich and UVA for biglaw + fed clerkships. Also Charlottesville > Ann Arbor IMO but I agree fit is important, you will do better where you feel more comfortable.

[NoodleyOne]

Meh, I'd pick whichever one between UVA and Mich you prefer.

I agree. This should be about fit, and where you think you'll be most comfortable. The difference in big law placement between Mich and UVA seems pretty marginal to me.

Its far from marginal. And choosing based on "fit" is stupid. Three years in a place you're not crazy about is a small price to pay when compared to a significantly higher chance of underemployment.

[Real Madrid]

There is a huge difference in placement between Mich and UVA for biglaw + fed clerkships. Also Charlottesville > Ann Arbor IMO but I agree fit is important, you will do better where you feel more comfortable.

True. OP: this is definitely between UVA and Michigan. At UVA, you have a better chance of landing a big law job at graduation. You also have a much better chance at being employed by the school at graduation.

As it stands, I'd probably lean towards UVA.

[rad lulz]

,

[Real Madrid]

Meh, I'd pick whichever one between UVA and Mich you prefer.

I agree. This should be about fit, and where you think you'll be most comfortable. The difference in big law placement between Mich and UVA seems pretty marginal to me.

Its far from marginal. And choosing based on "fit" is stupid. Three years in a place you're not crazy about is a small price to pay when compared to a significantly higher chance of underemployment.

While the chance at big law (and perhaps federal clerkships) is higher from UVA, I think it can be argued (in fact, it actually has been) that UVA has one of the highest underemployment rates in the T14 (higher indeed than Michigan).

From C/O 2011:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=181723


I believe the results from C/O 2012 were similar, but couldn't immediately find them upon searching.


Just some food for thought.

[sinfiery]

They are also the only school in the entire T14 that attempted to find out how their graduates who were in school funded jobs are doing. 32 out of 40 are employed as full time lawyers, with 5 not responding/unknown or something.

Financially, I'd pick UVA but I definitely agree that if you have a fit preference, you should pick from that of UVA or Mich.

[PRgradBYU]

I think this is an easy call for UVA, especially since you want big law.

[NoodleyOne]

Rayiner's analysis is incredibly conservative, to the point of almost being disingenuous. And Madrid has a big bone to pick with school funded positions, even with UVAs increased transparency on the subject.