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[art085]

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[jbagelboy]

I'm not from SoCal but wouldn't mind working there. My goal is to return to my home market eventually which happens to be closer to UVA than UCLA. I know that choosing UCLA over UVA may close some doors, but I would think 165k in extra debt might be worth the trade-off, especially in this economy. I'm not set on big law but would definitely have to go that route if I went to UVA. I really like both schools and could be happy at both. Any thoughts?

Congrats on both UVA and UCLA!

Unfortunately, your choices don't align too well with your stated goals. IF you go to UCLA, you will have to be committed to working there for some time, and you don't have ties so biglaw will be a stretch. Where is your home market exactly? If it's southern, then UVA is a much better choice since along with Duke it's the dominant player in any dixie market.

UVA @ $240K is not something I would do though either. You said you are set on biglaw, so I guess UVA here has more +'s than UCLA.

Are these your only two choices?

edit: also I assume you've tried to negotiate with UVA already. if not then give it a go

[art085]

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[jbagelboy]

Thanks for the input! Sorry if I wasn't clear. I'm definitely not set on big law and would actually prefer to avoid it if possible. I would just have to go that route to pay off UVA level debt. I'm worried about the ties as well. I wouldn't mind working in SoCal but am afraid employers will think I'm a flight risk. My home market is in the Mid-Atlantic, not D.C. though.

These are my only two options. I know it seems like an odd combination...it does to me, too. I haven't tried to negotiate with UVA. But I don't really have any leverage since I was admitted off the waitlist.

Okay thanks for clarifying -- well at that debt level honestly if you arent interested in working at a large firm, go the LRAP route if UVA for debt erasure.

UCLA is a fine option at that price IMO, esp since you arent committed to biglaw. Just dont expect a lot of early mobility, or for your degree to carry weight back home.

[BigZuck]

Sounds like a reverse splitter...

[North]

Why is Vanderbilt not an option?

[bruin91]

This is a tough one...

OP, what are your stats? PM me if you'd like.

[Myself]

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[art085]

This is a tough one...

OP, what are your stats? PM me if you'd like.

I'm a traditional splitter. Given my GPA, I've pretty much maxed out my upside. Are you considering UCLA as well?

[art085]

Why is Vanderbilt not an option?

I liked Vandy and its proximity to the mid-atlantic, but I would have owed 160k at graduation and just couldn't stomach it.

[North]

This is rough. Tell us more about yourself and what you want from your career.

I'd go to UVA. Actually, I am. I have the same regional preferences, am a splitter, and want BigLaw. But whether UVA is worth sticker is FAR from a settled matter on TLS -- even I'm not sure if I made a good decision. But I don't know if going to a regional school on the other side of the country, far away from whatever ties you may have, is worth the steep discount in tuition.

That's what I think considering only what you've told us, but this is a hard one.

[bruin91]

This is a tough one...

OP, what are your stats? PM me if you'd like.

I'm a traditional splitter. Given my GPA, I've pretty much maxed out my upside. Are you considering UCLA as well?

PMed

[hephaestus]

This is rough. Tell us more about yourself and what you want from your career.

I'd go to UVA. Actually, I am. I have the same regional preferences, am a splitter, and want BigLaw. But whether UVA is worth sticker is FAR from a settled matter on TLS -- even I'm not sure if I made a good decision. But I don't know if going to a regional school on the other side of the country, far away from whatever ties you may have, is worth the steep discount in tuition.

That's what I think considering only what you've told us, but this is a hard one.

I agree. UCLA is not a good option at all. UVA isn't perfect either but is certainly the better option comparatively.

[Dr. Dre]

UVA > UCLA

[rickgrimes69]

You have two mutually exclusive goals here: (1) working in the mid-atlantic, which might be tough from UCLA, and (2) not working in Biglaw, which will be practically required from UVA.

- If working in the mid-atlantic > not biglaw for 3-5 years, do UVA.
- If not biglaw > working in the mid-atlantic, do UCLA.

My vote is for the latter choice, given your indication that you would be fine working in SoCal and because $240k is just too expensive for law school (in my opinion).

Edit: In light of your edit, UVA. It's worth $150k.

[art085]

Hi all,

I edited my post to reflect my new situation. UVA is now at 150k, versus UCLA at 65k. Does this change things? Or is it still too much?

[jbagelboy]

Hi all,

I edited my post to reflect my new situation. UVA is now at 150k, versus UCLA at 65k. Does this change things? Or is it still too much?

Now I'd say definitely UVA. Thats the negotiation I was looking for.

edit: also, ignore the poll. almost everyone who voted UCLA would switch to UVA here. the debt is manageable

[North]

Hi all,

I edited my post to reflect my new situation. UVA is now at 150k, versus UCLA at 65k. Does this change things? Or is it still too much?

Go to UVA.

[Dr. Dre]

STop worrying and go to UVA.

Enjoy summer.

[jselson]

Hi all,

I edited my post to reflect my new situation. UVA is now at 150k, versus UCLA at 65k. Does this change things? Or is it still too much?

Go to UVA.