Penn v. UVA??? Poll time! Forum

[Bob-Loblaw 1]

Alright, so it has come down to this...a TLS poll.

A little about me:
Ideally I would like to do a clerkship and then biglaw.
However, it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to forego the clerkship component.
I graduated form undergrad in LA, and I would absolutely love to come back and practice in Southern California for the long term.
CA biglaw > NY/DC biglaw > working at In-N-Out in CA living in a ditch
For the short term, I wouldn't be opposed to living in NY or DC for a few years.

The schools
I visited UVA and liked it a lot, however I am a little unsure about living in Charlottesville for three years, as I love cities.
I haven't visited Penn for LS, however I visited for undergrad admissions and loved it there.


The money
I have substantial scholarships at both schools, and my parents are helping me out with some of the expenses as well (thank you parents!). At the end of the day, Penn is going to wind up costing me about 10k-20k more than UVA including COL. However, neither option will set me back more than about 50k.

SO, are saving a little money, having a bit better quality of life/cheaper apartments, and marginally higher federal clerkship numbers enough to justify UVA over Penn?

Let the TLS gods decide...

[twenty]

It comes down to personal preference, but since you have no ties to DC or the south, I'd go with Penn and gun for NYC biglaw. Then, when you hate it, you can go back to California and work in some pseudo-law-related career.

[Dmini7]

Alright, so it has come down to this...a TLS poll.

A little about me:
Ideally I would like to do a clerkship and then biglaw.
However, it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to forego the clerkship component.
I graduated form undergrad in LA, and I would absolutely love to come back and practice in Southern California for the long term.
CA biglaw > NY/DC biglaw > working at In-N-Out in CA living in a ditch
For the short term, I wouldn't be opposed to living in NY or DC for a few years.

The schools
I visited UVA and liked it a lot, however I am a little unsure about living in Charlottesville for three years, as I love cities.
I haven't visited Penn for LS, however I visited for undergrad admissions and loved it there.


The money
I have substantial scholarships at both schools, and my parents are helping me out with some of the expenses as well (thank you parents!). At the end of the day, Penn is going to wind up costing me about 10k-20k more than UVA including COL. However, neither option will set me back more than about 50k.

SO, are saving a little money, having a bit better quality of life/cheaper apartments, and marginally higher federal clerkship numbers enough to justify UVA over Penn?

Let the TLS gods decide...

I think I would choose penn in your situation. You can't go wrong with either school, but penn is good enough to justify the 20k more. That and, as an unknowledgeable 0L, I would assume penn has more reach to CA firms, and I have heard UVA has a very ugly and unfriendly grading curve. With that said, I think the brunt of the choice depends on your own personal happiness in this decision, and it seems like you would prefer Penn, although I would attempt to visit again if you are not a K-JD to make sure it hasn't changed from what you remember.

[ManoftheHour]

You're in a great position. Do what makes you happy. I voted for Penn because it's my dream school.

[sinfiery]

as an unknowledgeable 0L, I would assume penn has more reach to CA firms

this is why I pick UPenn but yeah, I have no idea.


Both options are great, goodluck

[Ti Malice]

Would definitely pick Penn in your situation.

Be careful about reading UVA's clerkship placement numbers as necessarily indicative of greater placement ability. In any case, you're very unlikely to end up with a federal clerkship -- a one-year job -- from either school. It would make a hell of a lot more sense to focus on the numbers involving the longer-term jobs that most people attending these schools are hoping to land (i.e. BigLaw).

It comes down to personal preference

I suppose everything could boil down to personal preference, but I don't think that should be the driving consideration here. Penn places significantly better than UVA.

[Bob-Loblaw 1]

It comes down to personal preference, but since you have no ties to DC or the south, I'd go with Penn and gun for NYC biglaw. Then, when you hate it, you can go back to California and work in some pseudo-law-related career.

I realize this may be beyond the scope of my post, but how difficult is it to work at a good firm in NY and then leave to go work somewhere else (preferably CA) after 2-5 years?

I would be more than down to gun for NYC biglaw if it wouldn't result in being stuck in the northeast indefinitely (and will probably end up being down anyway)

[mh013]

I realize this may be beyond the scope of my post, but how difficult is it to work at a good firm in NY and then leave to go work somewhere else (preferably CA) after 2-5 years?

I would be more than down to gun for NYC biglaw if it wouldn't result in being stuck in the northeast indefinitely (and will probably end up being down anyway)

also interested in this

[bizzybone1313]

I would go to Penn. You are in a very enviable position. You could make $20K by waiting tables for a year. That is not enough of a difference in COA to turn down a better placing school like Penn. Before I started researching law schools, I had never heard of this place called "UVA."

[Br3v]

Peer schools, you save more money at UVA so i'd go that route. If for some reason you love penn more than UVA than enjoy Philly. Either way congrats on some really good options.

[PRgradBYU]

Penn. Dat Ivy League swag...

[ManoftheHour]

Penn. Dat Ivy League swag...

[GMGP]

nearing 60% placement in biglaw, love UVA but at this price Penn all the way

[jbagelboy]

Yep, Penn at this price is amazing. Congrats!

[rickgrimes69]

Penn has substantially better Biglaw placement. UVA has very marginally better clerkship placement. That said, you're essentially going for free either way, so do whatever makes you happiest.

[Doorkeeper]

Penn.

[Jaqen]

Neither choice would be a mistake, but given the small COA difference, your preference for cities, and their placement stats, I vote Penn.

[Bob-Loblaw 1]

Anyone who voted for UVA care to explain their choice?

[NoodleyOne]

Anyone who voted for UVA care to explain their choice?

I love UVA, and I still voted Penn. While I think the differences are exaggerated, for BigLaw Penn is one of the best options.

[WahooLaw24]

Anyone who voted for UVA care to explain their choice?

I love UVA, and I still voted Penn. While I think the differences are exaggerated, for BigLaw Penn is one of the best options.

[Bob-Loblaw 1]

Thanks for the input guys!

[Nelson]

No Berkeley?

[Bob-Loblaw 1]

Rejected from Berkeley.
Haven't heard from Columbia or Stanford.
WL'd at Harvard.

[005618502]

It comes down to personal preference, but since you have no ties to DC or the south, I'd go with Penn and gun for NYC biglaw. Then, when you hate it, you can go back to California and work in some pseudo-law-related career.

I realize this may be beyond the scope of my post, but how difficult is it to work at a good firm in NY and then leave to go work somewhere else (preferably CA) after 2-5 years?

I would be more than down to gun for NYC biglaw if it wouldn't result in being stuck in the northeast indefinitely (and will probably end up being down anyway)

I dont know the answer to this. I do know that UVA places amazing into CA. Why would you go to NYC to start if thats not where you wanted to be? Just go straight to CA if thats the end goal.

Also, with your options, I would go with Penn if I wanted NYC and UVA if I wanted the south and either one for CA probably doesnt make a difference.

[Bob-Loblaw 1]

Just got in to CLS, thread is now obsolete.