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I am considering NU and UChicago. I received 150k in aid from NU and 15k(total) from Chicago.
Total COA:
NU = $100,000
UChicago = $275,000

I'll be taking out loans to finance my education. My goal is big law in any major market (NYC,Chicago, LA, etc). I have ties in Texas and hope to return sometime down the road but not sure. I was initially set on UChicago and that is where I would really love to attend. I wasn't expecting this much from NU and it really changes things. I think NU would be the smart choice and I just want to confirm it. I will try to negotiate with UChicago. How much would I have to get from UChicago to sway my decision the other way? Thanks!

135K isn't worth slightly better odds.

I wouldnt even think twice about NU in this scenario.

Northwestern is reasonable at 100k for your stated goal of generic biglaw. Texas could be easier from Chicago simply because Chicago is a top 5 law school, but it's not like you can't lateral to Texas after biglaw in another market.

I go to Chicago and still voted NU without a second of thought.

Negotiate. If negotiation fails, Northwestern.

Negotiate. If negotiation fails, Northwestern.

Negotiate. If negotiation fails, Northwestern.

Negotiate. If negotiation fails, Northwestern.

Just go to northwestern. The difference between the schools is minor. U of C won't watch NU. So just start planning to the move to the northside.

Thanks for all the answers! Would there be any benefit that UChicago offers me that NU doesn't? Am I out of luck if I fall below median at NU?

Samsing wrote:Thanks for all the answers! Would there be any benefit that UChicago offers me that NU doesn't? Am I out of luck if I fall below median at NU?

No, but being above median doesn't guarantee you anything either. But the same goes for U of C.

Samsing wrote:Thanks for all the answers! Would there be any benefit that UChicago offers me that NU doesn't? Am I out of luck if I fall below median at NU?

Sure, there are benefits. Better chance at elite firms, safer at UoC with below median grades than at NU. Better academia/clerkship numbers. But the differences are not significant, and I'd choose NU with a sizable scholarship difference. I took UoC over NU with $15K/year less of a scholarship, but it was a tough decision.

$100,000 is too much to pay for NU. Retake and get a full ride.

Samsing wrote:Thanks for all the answers! Would there be any benefit that UChicago offers me that NU doesn't? Am I out of luck if I fall below median at NU?

I think you'd fit in better at Chicago. It has prestige that NU just doesn't have. That's such an intangible thing, but I think for you and your goals, it's worth it.

Tom Joad wrote:$100,000 is too much to pay for NU. Retake and get a full ride.

How much do you think is reasonable? Everyone has been telling me it's reasonable for that cost. I overestimated a little.

noobishned wrote:Negotiate. If negotiation fails, Northwestern.

+1

shifty_eyed wrote:

Samsing wrote:Thanks for all the answers! Would there be any benefit that UChicago offers me that NU doesn't? Am I out of luck if I fall below median at NU?

I think you'd fit in better at Chicago. It has prestige that NU just doesn't have. That's such an intangible thing, but I think for you and your goals, it's worth it.

I'm considering the intangibles but I feel like the novelty might wear off but the money is very real. It is a huge difference. I might have been willing to pay $75,000 more but its almost twice that amount.

Samsing wrote:

Tom Joad wrote:$100,000 is too much to pay for NU. Retake and get a full ride.

How much do you think is reasonable? Everyone has been telling me its reasonable for that cost. I overestimated a little.

I think $100K is reasonable. 65% for 100+ and federal clerkships. I think that is worth it.

shifty_eyed wrote:

Samsing wrote:Thanks for all the answers! Would there be any benefit that UChicago offers me that NU doesn't? Am I out of luck if I fall below median at NU?

I think you'd fit in better at Chicago. It has prestige that NU just doesn't have. That's such an intangible thing, but I think for you and your goals, it's worth it.

Nearly 150K more for "intangibles"? You are actually serious?

WheninLaw wrote:

Samsing wrote:

Tom Joad wrote:$100,000 is too much to pay for NU. Retake and get a full ride.

How much do you think is reasonable? Everyone has been telling me its reasonable for that cost. I overestimated a little.

I think $100K is reasonable. 65% for 100+ and federal clerkships. I think that is worth it.

I don't think Tom understood that the 100K was total COA after the full ride that OP already received... That or he's trolling. Either way, ignore his BS.

UChi is not worth the extra $175,000 CoA. Are you really prepared to gamble $175,000 that you will get biglaw and be able to last until you can pay it all down? If that is the case, wouldn't you rather take that $175,000 that you did not have to pay back and invest it?


Enjoy NU

Tom Joad wrote:$100,000 is too much to pay for NU. Retake and get a full ride.

Lol OP has a full ride. And NU law is worth more then that IMO

.

First, as someone who has graduated from law school with real debt and has seen how these things tend to work out, I think NW is easily worth 100k in total COA. If this was a glamour degree for you, sure, that might make it a closer question. But taking your interests and goals into account, it's not even close IMO.

Second, 100k in total debt is pretty manageable, and the difference between NU and Chicago for anything other than elite litigation boutiques or, perhaps, clerkships, is negligible. Given your goals, NW at that price is probably the better of the two choices. That said, if you feel like you're going to rock it at Chicago because it's the perfect fit, whereas you really dislike NW -- that could tip things back towards Chicago (although you've gotta have pretty darn strong feelings to overcome that $175k difference).