Stanford vs. Chicago for Texas Biglaw? Forum

[BleekerSuits]

I made a post a little while ago comparing Chicago with Columbia and a couple other schools for Texas and Chicago seemed to be the consensus pick. Now, thanks to fortuitous circumstances, I can add Stanford to the list. Any idea on how they compare for Texas?

I loved Stanford when I visited (unfortunately won't be able to make it to ASW) but looking at employment stats, it seems like ~2% of their class ends up in Texas vs. ~7% at Chicago. Is this more due to self selection or does Chicago have some kind of alumni connection that I'm not aware of that helps students place in Texas? I heard there was a club for Texans looking to head back that had excellent placement. All of my ties are to Texas and it's my top priority to end up back there, hopefully at a Big 3 or strong regional office. If anyone has any recruiting experience at either school can you shed some light on how Texas firms look at grades at both schools? How would straight P's at Stanford compare to median at Chicago?

I'm assuming minimal aid from Stanford and ~$20k/year from Chicago. Through savings and generous parents, I hopefully won't have a substantial debt burden at either school, but cost is still an important consideration.

[Mack.Hambleton]

I'd try to negotiate Chicago up to 90k and go there

[badaboom61]

I made a post a little while ago comparing Chicago with Columbia and a couple other schools for Texas and Chicago seemed to be the consensus pick. Now, thanks to fortuitous circumstances, I can add Stanford to the list. Any idea on how they compare for Texas?

I loved Stanford when I visited (unfortunately won't be able to make it to ASW) but looking at employment stats, it seems like ~2% of their class ends up in Texas vs. ~7% at Chicago. Is this more due to self selection or does Chicago have some kind of alumni connection that I'm not aware of that helps students place in Texas? I heard there was a club for Texans looking to head back that had excellent placement. All of my ties are to Texas and it's my top priority to end up back there, hopefully at a Big 3 or strong regional office. If anyone has any recruiting experience at either school can you shed some light on how Texas firms look at grades at both schools? How would straight P's at Stanford compare to median at Chicago?

I'm assuming minimal aid from Stanford and ~$20k/year from Chicago. Through savings and generous parents, I hopefully won't have a substantial debt burden at either school, but cost is still an important consideration.

Chicago does have an unusually dedicated alumni base in Texas, such that it would probably make sense to pick Chicago over say, Columbia or NYU, but Stanford will still give you a better shot at Texas biglaw than Chicago.

[BleekerSuits]

Anyone else have any experience?

[jbagelboy]

Straight P's at S would be substantially below median, I believe. So it's not an apt comparison. I think you would be fine coming from either so long as you have ties. I would probably pay $50,000 premium for Stanford, but not more. I agree with the first poster that if you can raise your UChi scholarship a little and SLS doesn't come through with a large grant package, Hyde Park is the better choice (why go $250,000 in debt for the same job)?

Either way, both great options congrats.

[2014]

I think your chances are equally good at both. At equal cost I'd choose Stanford mostly for the weather, but I absolutely would not pay 60k more for Stanford over UChi for Texas.