Emory or UGA?
Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 8:18 pm
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MyNameIsFlynn! wrote:
Also, have you tried negotiating with UGA?
I'm certain that those numbers aren't right.Doorkeeper wrote:Both of these schools are not well suited to work at a firm with +250 attorneys. UGA only puts 17% of its students in such positions, and Emory only puts 23%. You might want to consider retaking the LSAT to target Duke or Vanderbilt if you really want to work at a large firm in the South.
Emory:Aberzombie1892 wrote:I'm certain that those numbers aren't right.Doorkeeper wrote:Both of these schools are not well suited to work at a firm with +250 attorneys. UGA only puts 17% of its students in such positions, and Emory only puts 23%. You might want to consider retaking the LSAT to target Duke or Vanderbilt if you really want to work at a large firm in the South.
The numbers are right, but also taking into account the people who get fed clerkships (6% at Emory, 7% at UGA) gives you a more realistic picture.Aberzombie1892 wrote:I'm certain that those numbers aren't right.Doorkeeper wrote:Both of these schools are not well suited to work at a firm with +250 attorneys. UGA only puts 17% of its students in such positions, and Emory only puts 23%. You might want to consider retaking the LSAT to target Duke or Vanderbilt if you really want to work at a large firm in the South.
scholarship stip at emory is just to remain in good standing.gregfootball2001 wrote:The numbers are right, but also taking into account the people who get fed clerkships (6% at Emory, 7% at UGA) gives you a more realistic picture.Aberzombie1892 wrote:I'm certain that those numbers aren't right.Doorkeeper wrote:Both of these schools are not well suited to work at a firm with +250 attorneys. UGA only puts 17% of its students in such positions, and Emory only puts 23%. You might want to consider retaking the LSAT to target Duke or Vanderbilt if you really want to work at a large firm in the South.
IMO, $60k is too much for that small a difference. Also, lets not forget that the scholarship at Emory has stipulations, however low they might be, while at UGA, you just need to become a resident (or already be one, of course - you grew up in Ga, right?) to get that price.
Yup, ran here to say thisrad lulz wrote:I wouldn't pay that much for either especially considering OPs career goals
similar situation but with GA State in the mix as well. OP, I think the price difference between Emory and UGA is way too high for very similar job prospects, especially if you plan to stay in GA.BigZuck wrote:Yup, ran here to say thisrad lulz wrote:I wouldn't pay that much for either especially considering OPs career goals
For a strong regional I would think about 80K max, but probably closer to 60K. Just too much of a chance that you won't end up as a lawyer at all after those three years and I wouldn't want to be saddle with debt I couldn't pay off by working in my previous field.gatorlaw55 wrote:similar situation but with GA State in the mix as well. OP, I think the price difference between Emory and UGA is way too high for very similar job prospects, especially if you plan to stay in GA.BigZuck wrote:Yup, ran here to say thisrad lulz wrote:I wouldn't pay that much for either especially considering OPs career goals
question for others: would UGA be justifiable if COA was around 83k? (looking at 58-61k for GA state)
Couple of things here - and to disclose as well, I'm at UGA atm.treeey86 wrote:(disclosure: Emory Law alum)
If you are not in the top 25% at either of the schools then Emory is better than UGA.
Here is why:
- Emory is actually located in the only viable market in GA: Atlanta. Emory students from 2L on can more easily network, work during the year, build relationships, and hustle to acquire jobs/opportunities outside of the traditional OCI approach.
- Once you take the GA bar the whole bias for UGA students becomes moot. Firms want to hire students that will stay in the market. Going to UGA creates a presumption you will stay in GA. Going to Emory does not. However, signing up and taking the GA bar creates that presumption and firms are no longer wary.
- Plenty of Emory alums in top positions throughout the GA legal market than this website credits. That alumni network is on par with the power of UGA's.
- The general vibe is the Emory degree is more prestigious.
The market still sucks. 60-75% of your graduating class will likely not be hired at time of graduation. I know people that went to both schools. UGA is a good program no knocks against it. At the end of the day though, most law students have to hustle to find that first break, and many of the jobs that become available open up due to connections and networking. Being able to live in Atlanta and network and connect with practitioners on a daily basis is a huge advantage Emory has over UGA. I believe Emory is the safer although more expensive pick.
I built quite a few relationships with lawyers in Atlanta over the past year. I couldn't have done more, even if I had more opportunities - there just wasn't the time. I was in Atlanta every weekend - it's not that far. I see no advantage here, especially when you consider the network (see below).treeey86 wrote:Emory is actually located in the only viable market in GA: Atlanta. Emory students from 2L on can more easily network, work during the year, build relationships, and hustle to acquire jobs/opportunities outside of the traditional OCI approach.
While I don't necessarily disagree with the statement, here's a big difference between OCI and when you take the bar - two years difference. During those two years, UGA people will be networking with people who don't wonder if we'll be leaving for bigger and brighter cities after school.treeey86 wrote:Once you take the GA bar the whole bias for UGA students becomes moot. Firms want to hire students that will stay in the market. Going to UGA creates a presumption you will stay in GA. Going to Emory does not. However, signing up and taking the GA bar creates that presumption and firms are no longer wary.
First sentence - totally agree. Lots of top emory people in top positions. Second sentence...listen, it's a numbers game. If both classes have 200-ish kids, and 125 of Emory students leave for other states every year, that means there's that many more UGA lawyers working in and around Atlanta.treeey86 wrote:Plenty of Emory alums in top positions throughout the GA legal market than this website credits. That alumni network is on par with the power of UGA's.
When I was making this decision, I cold-emailed a few lawyers from both schools.treeey86 wrote:The general vibe is the Emory degree is more prestigious.
I'm splitting this summer (1L), both in Atlanta. One from OCI, one from my own contacts. Most of my friends are working in Atlanta. I saw no 'huge' advantage.treeey86 wrote:Being able to live in Atlanta and network and connect with practitioners on a daily basis is a huge advantage Emory has over UGA.