Chicago (75k) vs Columbia Forum

[fitz.]

Chicago offered me 75k a few weeks ago, which I immediately sent to Columbia but still got nothing (the reasoning being that my family doesn't qualify for need-based aid). Money IS a big concern--my parents are retired, we're not exactly rich, and I'll be taking out full loans. However, Columbia has been my dream school for years, and I hope to end up working in NY. That said, is it wise in any sense to turn my back on 75k?

[IAFG]

Why is Columbia your dream? A coherent reason, or you just loved Premium Rush?

[JamMasterJ]

no freaking question - UChi

[de5igual]

That said, is it wise in any sense to turn my back on 75k?

Once you factor in COA differences and interest, the difference is more like $130K.

[badaboom61]

Chicago offered me 75k a few weeks ago, which I immediately sent to Columbia but still got nothing (the reasoning being that my family doesn't qualify for need-based aid). Money IS a big concern--my parents are retired, we're not exactly rich, and I'll be taking out full loans. However, Columbia has been my dream school for years, and I hope to end up working in NY. That said, is it wise in any sense to turn my back on 75k?

If you're even considering turning down a 75k scholarship to Chicago to pay full price at Columbia, Chicago probably isn't the right place for you.

[jselson]

Chicago offered me 75k a few weeks ago, which I immediately sent to Columbia but still got nothing (the reasoning being that my family doesn't qualify for need-based aid). Money IS a big concern--my parents are retired, we're not exactly rich, and I'll be taking out full loans. However, Columbia has been my dream school for years, and I hope to end up working in NY. That said, is it wise in any sense to turn my back on 75k?

If you're even considering turning down a 75k scholarship to Chicago to pay full price at Columbia, Chicago probably isn't the right place for you.

Wrong-o.

[Big Dog]

However, Columbia has been my dream school for years, and I hope to end up working in NY.

Plus the (huge) local alumni association in NY for the 4L+....not that easy of a decision.

[jselson]

OP, is your only goal NYC biglaw?

[fitz.]

Why is Columbia your dream? A coherent reason, or you just loved Premium Rush?

OP, is your only goal NYC biglaw?

Friends and family in NY/Columbia, love the atmosphere of the school, and my main goal is NYC biglaw. I'm not opposed to Chicago in any way, but I'd prefer to end up working on the east coast.

Plus the (huge) local alumni association in NY for the 4L+....not that easy of a decision.

How significant would you say this factor is in the long run?

[JamMasterJ]

There's not really a difference as far as NY placement goes

[IAFG]

If you have a strong support network in NYC, I'd hesitate too. Shame that CLS was unswayed by Chicago $$. Could you live with family to soften the COL blow?

[bizzybone1313]

OP, can you come back to TLS and tell us what you eventually decide? I am eager to hear what you end up doing. I feel ya on Columbia. Columbia>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Chicago. But $75K is a lot of money to turn down.

[jselson]

OP, can you come back to TLS and tell us what you eventually decide? I am eager to hear what you end up doing. I feel ya on Columbia. Columbia>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Chicago. But $75K is a lot of money to turn down.

Honestly, I think Chicago's the better school - better scholars and more options when it comes to placement for students. But Columbia is second-to-none for biglaw placement, especially in NYC, and the OP's gonna need that if he decides to go Columbia. But median at either school will get the OP what he wants. Still leaning Chicago.

e: Although I don't know how much Columbia outplaces Chicago for V10. After controlling for size, I wonder if there's a substantial difference.

[jbagelboy]

Strange. Columbia gave me more $ than Chicago.

Hey, if you really want to be in new york and want the best shot at nyc firm jobs at a lower cost, why not go to NYU? Im certain they will match the 75K.

At the end of the day, if your willing to spend the extra money, do what you want to do. Most people including me would take Chicago here, but Columbia at sticker is still a "fine" choice IMO in an absolute sense.

[IAFG]

OP, can you come back to TLS and tell us what you eventually decide? I am eager to hear what you end up doing. I feel ya on Columbia. Columbia>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Chicago. But $75K is a lot of money to turn down.

Honestly, I think Chicago's the better school - better scholars and more options when it comes to placement for students. But Columbia is second-to-none for biglaw placement, especially in NYC, and the OP's gonna need that if he decides to go Columbia. But median at either school will get the OP what he wants. Still leaning Chicago.

e: Although I don't know how much Columbia outplaces Chicago for V10. After controlling for size, I wonder if there's a substantial difference.

"more options"? Sounds like you're on some bullshit, son.

[sinfiery]

e: Although I don't know how much Columbia outplaces Chicago for V10. After controlling for size, I wonder if there's a substantial difference.

For the v5 there is, even after class size considerations. Pretty significant, too. Self selection could easily explain the difference I'd imagine though.

[jselson]

e: Although I don't know how much Columbia outplaces Chicago for V10. After controlling for size, I wonder if there's a substantial difference.

For the v5 there is, even after class size considerations. Pretty significant, too. Self selection could easily explain the difference I'd imagine though.

Yeah, and although these are difficult to get, the better lateral options could be worth it for the OP.

[09042014]

When you are sitting at the exact same firm you would have gone to if you attending u of c, and look at your 300k loan amount you will feel pretty fucking stupid.

[Bronck]

Are you kidding me? Take Chicago. They have very similar placement power. You'll more likely than not be back in NY in 3 years.

[sinfiery]

Yeah, and although these are difficult to get, the better lateral options could be worth it for the OP.

It maybe something to consider but I'd still take the 75k no question.

NYU shares the same dominance, albeit to a slightly lesser degree than CLS, in the V5.(ofc it is likely just self selection)
so +1 to the shopping the UChi offer to NYU

[FlightoftheEarls]

When you are sitting at the exact same firm you would have gone to if you attending u of c, and look at your 300k loan amount you will feel pretty fucking stupid.

[JamMasterJ]

Strange. Columbia gave me more $ than Chicago.

Hey, if you really want to be in new york and want the best shot at nyc firm jobs at a lower cost, why not go to NYU? Im certain they will match the 75K.

At the end of the day, if your willing to spend the extra money, do what you want to do. Most people including me would take Chicago here, but Columbia at sticker is still a "fine" choice IMO in an absolute sense.

Lolno

[dr123]

did you get into nyu? if so, scholly? could be a good option if youre deadset on nyc.

[dr123]

OP, can you come back to TLS and tell us what you eventually decide? I am eager to hear what you end up doing. I feel ya on Columbia. Columbia>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Chicago. But $75K is a lot of money to turn down.

Honestly, I think Chicago's the better school - better scholars and more options when it comes to placement for students. But Columbia is second-to-none for biglaw placement, especially in NYC, and the OP's gonna need that if he decides to go Columbia. But median at either school will get the OP what he wants. Still leaning Chicago.

e: Although I don't know how much Columbia outplaces Chicago for V10. After controlling for size, I wonder if there's a substantial difference.

like this guy?

[nebula666]

CLS is not worth $75k more than Chicago.

Edit: It's actually closer to $100k when you factor in CoL in Chicago vs. New York.