AHHH!! NU ($$$) v. UPenn ($)?? Forum

kitface · Post by **kitface** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 1:36 am

Hey guys! Here are my details. Thanks for any light you might be able to shed on my conundrum

I think my central concern is what (if anything) I might lose out on by going to NU over UPenn? (e.g. ability to get a good job in a market anywhere in the country, ability to do policy/gov work if I want to, etc).

UPenn versus NU

COA: I was given scholarships at both, but more from NU, so the total COA's are:
Penn - $161,580
NU - $79,146

Financing: I'll be taking out loans for either school.

Location: I currently live in Atlanta, and would ideally be happy returning here, but have no major ties here or elsewhere in the country.

Career: I really want to do public interest work most likely focusing on public policy, but would also be okay to do corporate law for a few years to pay off loans & save up cash money and then transition into more do-goodery stuff (i.e. i am open to doing public interest work in nontraditional settings like working as a pro bono coordinator for a big law firm).

LSAT/GPA: 169/4.0, took the LSAT once, also have a master's in psychology.

Other: Visited UPenn, loved the school, didn't love Philly. Will be visiting NU this weekend, and will takes vibes into account. Also, my boyfriend will be moving with me. We're both on the older side (I'm 26, he's 28) and I am definitely a friendly happy collaborate over compete type of person.

Let me know if I should include any other info, & thanks!!!

hiltopp01 · Post by **hiltopp01** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 1:39 am

Retake LSAT and cop HYS and/or CCN on $$$. You're like 3 or so questions away

banjo · Post by **banjo** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 1:47 am

That's a good price for NU. Go.

thebobs1987 · Post by **thebobs1987** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:36 am

banjo wrote:That's a good price for NU. Go.

+1

cotiger · Post by **cotiger** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:13 am

banjo wrote:That's a good price for NU. Go.

kitface · Post by **kitface** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:32 am

yeah... i considered retaking for like twenty minutes at some point in january, but i don't think i can do another year of waiting in limbo.

so consensus on NU? no big advantage to being in philly where i can train it to NYC/DC areas?

and difference in ranking isn't big enough to make me worry about job placement/being able to leave the area if i want to post-law school?

thanks!

Tiago Splitter · Post by **Tiago Splitter** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:34 am

kitface wrote:yeah... i considered retaking for like twenty minutes at some point in january, but i don't think i can do another year of waiting in limbo.

so consensus on NU? no big advantage to being in philly where i can train it to NYC/DC areas?

and difference in ranking isn't big enough to make me worry about job placement/being able to leave the area if i want to post-law school?

thanks!

Yeah there is no reason to pay an extra 100k for Penn. If the costs were much closer than those other considerations might come into play.

Retaking makes sense for most people but you already have the kind of option people retake for. If you want the most national mobility you should retake for Harvard but in your situation I'd just go to NU and call it good.

TheSpanishMain · Post by **TheSpanishMain** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:35 am

NU has geographic range. DC is always uncertain, but from what I understand, NYC is one of the easier markets to crack. It's huge and doesn't require ties. That's assuming you want to do Big Law, which is sounds like you're willing to do but not thrilled about. If you're leaning more towards PI stuff, I'd definitely go with less debt.

Unagi · Post by **Unagi** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:43 am

Tiago Splitter wrote:
kitface wrote:yeah... i considered retaking for like twenty minutes at some point in january, but i don't think i can do another year of waiting in limbo.

so consensus on NU? no big advantage to being in philly where i can train it to NYC/DC areas?

and difference in ranking isn't big enough to make me worry about job placement/being able to leave the area if i want to post-law school?

thanks!
Yeah there is no reason to pay an extra 100k for Penn. If the costs were much closer than those other considerations might come into play.

Retaking makes sense for most people but you already have the kind of option people retake for. If you want the most national mobility you should retake for Harvard but in your situation I'd just go to NU and call it good.

+1

kitface · Post by **kitface** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:50 am

Tiago Splitter wrote:
Retaking makes sense for most people but you already have the kind of option people retake for. If you want the most national mobility you should retake for Harvard but in your situation I'd just go to NU and call it good.

speaking of this - HLS WL'd me a few days ago. though i highly doubt i would get off it, if i did would it be worth going at sticker? the thought of taking on that much debt is terrifying, but a few people i know who graduated law school in the past 2/3 years is that it's worth it at any cost...

but yeah, definitely leaning toward NU myself. it just seems so much more reasonable?

melodically · Post by **melodically** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:51 am

Facing a similar choice and will likely take the money at NU. I think minimizing debt is the prudent move. Also, NU seems to be an awesome place, so going for free (or close to it) is just an incredible deal.

cotiger · Post by **cotiger** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:54 am

kitface wrote:
Tiago Splitter wrote:
Retaking makes sense for most people but you already have the kind of option people retake for. If you want the most national mobility you should retake for Harvard but in your situation I'd just go to NU and call it good.
speaking of this - HLS WL'd me a few days ago. though i highly doubt i would get off it, if i did would it be worth going at sticker? the thought of taking on that much debt is terrifying, but a few people i know who graduated law school in the past 2/3 years is that it's worth it at any cost...

but yeah, definitely leaning toward NU myself. it just seems so much more reasonable?

Harvard is not worth $200k (plus additional accumulated interest while paying it off) more than NU.

northwood · Post by **northwood** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:56 am

Take the money and run to NU

PrideandGlory1776 · Post by **PrideandGlory1776** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:00 am

northwood wrote:Take the money and run to NU

Echoing the consensus TLS wisdom - Northwestern at that price is as close to a no-brainer as possible - this is a relatively easy call, enjoy ChiTown!

kitface · Post by **kitface** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:07 am

PrideandGlory1776 wrote:
northwood wrote:Take the money and run to NU
Echoing the consensus TLS wisdom - Northwestern at that price is as close to a no-brainer as possible - this is a relatively easy call, enjoy ChiTown!

Aww best! okay

thanks for the wisdom, all! and melodically, guess i'll see you there

lawschool22 · Post by **lawschool22** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:38 pm

Echoing above. NU for sure. Enjoy ASW, and I will probably see you there!

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