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Still waiting to hear back about $$ from Columbia and whether Stanford will admit or not, but I doubt Columbia would offer more than Chi and who knows when I'll even hear back from S.

I'm planning on pursuing a career working in public policy/BigFed (FCC/DoC)/academia, specifically with regard to internet regulation. When considering these options, I'm principally concerned with the likelihood of achieving these goals at H vs Chi. If I succeed, then I guess I'll be able to take advantage of the school's LRAP program, but I'm somewhat worried that if I flounder in school, I'll end up working BigLaw just to pay off my debt.

Given my goals, Harvard seems to be the better option, but I'd love your opinions.

Let me know if any additional info is needed.

harvard. not by much, though.

With the exception of academia (which you're not doing without a Ph.D and a lot of effort ITE), Chicago doesn't make public policy/bigfed that much less likely than Harvard, especially when you yourself realize you have a very strong chance of ending up in biglaw. Would probably go with Chicago here.

edit> But negotiate Chicago up either way. It's close right now, and it only barely swings Chicago in my mind.

Toss-up I'd go with Harvard if it were Ruby meh I think it might change my opinion but usually I vote for HYS in these circumstances barring extraordinary circumstances. Can't really go wrong either way though but I think Harvard is objectively better in this case fwiw.

You'll probably be in biglaw either way. Still, I voted Harvard. It's objectively better than CC for your specific goals, and those goals are justifiably worth $90K.

If you were set on academia I'd choose Harvard. Otherwise Chicago. But I'm just saying what I'd do, essentially. Twenty knows a lot about gov jobs so his suggestions are important.

twenty wrote:With the exception of academia (which you're not doing without a Ph.D and a lot of effort ITE), Chicago doesn't make public policy/bigfed that much less likely than Harvard, especially when you yourself realize you have a very strong chance of ending up in biglaw. Would probably go with Chicago here.

edit> But negotiate Chicago up either way. It's close right now, and it only barely swings Chicago in my mind.

Can you give me any idea on what type of difference it makes for BigFed? Like top 10% at Chicago vs top 30% for Harvard?

It will make zero difference at FCC, and will make a very, very small difference at DoC. If you wanted State, SEC or DOJ, the difference would be a bit more noticeable.

twenty wrote:It will make zero difference at FCC, and will make a very, very small difference at DoC. If you wanted State, SEC or DOJ, the difference would be a bit more noticeable.

How 'bout K Street? Any difference?