Top Law Schools

Schools I am considering:
1) UCLA, 105K scholarship
2) USC, 135K scholarship
3) Georgetown, 60K scholarship
4) Duke, scholarship info pending (based off of previous cycle lsn stats 60~70K)
*all merit-based

**Still haven't heard back from NYU and Cornell**

Financing
- combination of loans, savings + spouse's income

Where are you from?
- NY/NJ

Where do you want to work?
- NYC or CA (i'd say somewhere around 60:40 preference)
- All ties are to NY/NJ

General career goals?
- biglaw firm in NY or CA

LSAT/GPA numbers
169/3.8X

How many times have you taken the LSAT
3x



My dilemma: In terms of the west coast schools, it's easily UCLA over USC for me. In terms of the east coast schools, it's Duke over Georgetown. That would mean it's between UCLA and Duke...trying to figure out if negotiating will make UCLA more attractive as an option, or if it would still be less attractive than Duke due to low CoL, higher prestige/ranking, better fit w/ career goals...

If you get 60-70k from them, it's pretty clearly Duke here.

You should show UCLA your offer at USC and see if they will match it.

You should politely notify Duke that you have to submit your intent to enroll form at Georgetown by Friday, and see if they will get back to you before then. My guess is that they would be more likely to give you money if they know you're weighing a scholarship at Georgetown.

tmkm wrote: My dilemma: In terms of the west coast schools, it's easily UCLA over USC for me.

Why would you take UCLA over USC when USC is cheaper?

Tiago Splitter wrote:

tmkm wrote: My dilemma: In terms of the west coast schools, it's easily UCLA over USC for me.

Why would you take UCLA over USC when USC is cheaper?

1. I figured while both are peers, and both are considered 'regional' schools, ucla had slightly better brand recognition, whether nationally or internationally, which I figured could help later for job search. Big law in NYC could be a better possibility w ucla too.
2. I've visited both schools and definitely felt ucla had a better environment and feel
3. While this doesn't have much weight with regards to practical considerations, I've also had a much more pleasant experience with the admissions committee from ucla than USC.
4. Ucla is a public school that offers potential upside of instate tuition 2l and 3l while USC doesn't offer such a benefit