T5 Decision Forum

[ttime97]

So let me preface this by saying I know I'm in an amazing position. But as it gets closer and closer to crunch time, I'm stressing out more about my decision and I still need advice. I'm trying to decide between HYS, Chi, and UVA. Here's my info:

- I want to work with media, law and tech in the DC/Cali, preferably with policy in DC in the long run.
- I have full rides to UVA and Chi (Dillard and Ruby), and 30k+ for 1L at each of HYS because of my circumstances.
- I went to college in the west but I'm from the east coast, where all my family and pre-college friends are so they're part of the decision.
- I would take loans to cover the remaining COA at all the schools.

Any words of advice?

[badaboom61]

You should narrow it down to Yale vs Ruby at Chicago. You can't really go wrong between those two. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "policy" goals but if you mean working for a govt / non-profit then Yale is probably a better bet.

[kaiser]

I'd absolutely take the Ruby.

[ttime97]

Just to clarify, I think I want to work on government relations for private companies or NGOs. I don't think they're entirely against each other in tech yet in protecting consumer interests.

Also, the reason why HS are high in the running (potentially higher than Y actually) is that they both have amazing professors/programs for new media and tech law.

[rayiner]

Yeah, I wouldn't automatically jump on the Y bandwagon here. If you want to do policy work in DC, you need connections. Harvard's network will help there, and Stanford's focus on tech will help there. Whatever marginal advantage in prestige Yale has generally, will not.

[rpupkin]

- I want to work with media, law and tech in the DC/Cali, preferably with policy in DC in the long run.
- I have full rides to UVA and Chi (Dillard and Ruby),

Have you tried getting a full ride to Boalt? It would likely be better than UVA or Chi given your interests. Otherwise, I think your two best choices are probably Chi/w Ruby and SLS.

[ttime97]

Boalt didnt offer anything plus I have some ties to SLS so if I stayed in Cali I'd go there. No one thinks HLS is a viable option? Even though it might give the most connections to both DC and Cali based on size?

I'm just playing devils advocate to make the best decision.

[teampeeta]

I think I would either take the Ruby (if debt is the most important consideration) or whichever of YS you prefer. I personally like Cambridge, but I've heard HLS can feel a bit like a factory. Y and S are probably more collegial/ on the whole yield better relationships with professors because of size. IMO, the differences in terms of network at HYS are probably minimal- H might have an advantage in government/politics, Y has an edge in academia, and S might be best if you want to do something technology/law-related.

You really can't go wrong. I'd probably just go with whichever of HYS I thought I'd be happiest attending or take the Ruby assuming I wanted to be debt-free.

[manu6926]

...

[jbagelboy]

Re: your Harvard & gov't query, it'll very likely be a Clinton administration when you're a 3L scrambling for DC, and Yale law degrees will be an even higher premium.

You are in quite literally the best possible circumstances of any law school applicant here. You'll be wildly successful no matter where you choose. I don't even know where to begin with advising this kind of choice though.

[lawschool22]

Have you visited any of these schools?

[ttime97]

Have you visited any of these schools?

I'm visiting H and Y this weekend and I was at S last weekend. I didn't have time to go to Chicago since I had already made travel plans to visit other schools so if I took the Ruby it would mean going there sight unseen for me.

[lawschool22]

Have you visited any of these schools?

I'm visiting H and Y this weekend and I was at S last weekend. I didn't have time to go to Chicago since I had already made travel plans to visit other schools so if I took the Ruby it would mean going there sight unseen for me.

I feel like I hear this all the time from people w/ the Ruby. They visit HYS and then say they don't have time to visit UChi, and then use this as a reason for not taking the Ruby. Imho Chicago should have been your top priority to visit (and still should) and the other schools should have to prove to you why you should take them over the Ruby, not the other way around.

You owe it to yourself to visit Chicago, and probably over Harvard tbh, since I think it should come down to YS and C.

[whippersnappery]

If you're interested in tech and media, I think SLS is the best choice. Compounded by the fact that you want Cali, I would pick Stanford.

[madh]

I'm making a similar decision (between Yale and Ruby at Chi) although our goals are slightly different. I was able to visit Chicago for a little while last week and it didn't really sway me in any particular direction because my trip was so short (it was kind of high school feeling, but I think that's just small law schools in general. I did like the current students I met a lot though). But what I am finding very helpful is talking to current professors at Chicago. They've been very up front about their biases and open to helping me weigh the pros and cons of both schools. I found their advice to be pretty practical, too. The admissions office may have already matched you with one professor, but I think you can also reach out to anyone you find on the website that seems to focus on your interests and see if they have time to talk.

[ttime97]

Have you visited any of these schools?

I'm visiting H and Y this weekend and I was at S last weekend. I didn't have time to go to Chicago since I had already made travel plans to visit other schools so if I took the Ruby it would mean going there sight unseen for me.

I feel like I hear this all the time from people w/ the Ruby. They visit HYS and then say they don't have time to visit UChi, and then use this as a reason for not taking the Ruby. Imho Chicago should have been your top priority to visit (and still should) and the other schools should have to prove to you why you should take them over the Ruby, not the other way around.

You owe it to yourself to visit Chicago, and probably over Harvard tbh, since I think it should come down to YS and C.

I actually agree with you. The problem is that I've already bought nonrefundable tickets to the other schools and I don't really have the money to cancel and not take the trips (I'm getting subsidies on both as it is).

I would have visited Chi but I actually heard last from them (my last acceptance) and have the shortest window to agree. In order to get the Ruby I have to decide by next week

But its really helpful to hear that talking to professors at Chi was helpful. I'll try to reach out to the one with my most similar interests today. The main problem with Chi is that although I agree and think it is a great school, it doesn't have any programs, or classes other than traditional IP courses and one student org for those interested in law and tech. It doesn't even have a law and tech journal so...since my focus was so clear I was undecided on if the debt is worth the better career situation at the other schools.

[lawschool22]

Have you visited any of these schools?

I'm visiting H and Y this weekend and I was at S last weekend. I didn't have time to go to Chicago since I had already made travel plans to visit other schools so if I took the Ruby it would mean going there sight unseen for me.

I feel like I hear this all the time from people w/ the Ruby. They visit HYS and then say they don't have time to visit UChi, and then use this as a reason for not taking the Ruby. Imho Chicago should have been your top priority to visit (and still should) and the other schools should have to prove to you why you should take them over the Ruby, not the other way around.

You owe it to yourself to visit Chicago, and probably over Harvard tbh, since I think it should come down to YS and C.

I actually agree with you. The problem is that I've already bought nonrefundable tickets to the other schools and I don't really have the money to cancel and not take the trips (I'm getting subsidies on both as it is).

I would have visited Chi but I actually heard last from them (my last acceptance) and have the shortest window to agree. In order to get the Ruby I have to decide by next week

But its really helpful to hear that talking to professors at Chi was helpful. I'll try to reach out to the one with my most similar interests today. The main problem with Chi is that although I agree and think it is a great school, it doesn't have any programs, or classes other than traditional IP courses and one student org for those interested in law and tech. It doesn't even have a law and tech journal so...since my focus was so clear I was undecided on if the debt is worth the better career situation at the other schools.

Northwestern has a Law & Tech journal, but I wouldn't recommend NU for you. Don't let that stuff deter you. Focus on actual outcomes. Press Chicago and the professors to give you examples of how people with your chosen career path fare with a Chicago JD (do the same for your other schools).

You should also see if Chicago can give you an extension. Specifically mention that you want to visit, and you can't fit it in. Make it clear you can't make a fully informed decision without visiting, and this will impact your ultimate decision. If they want you, they'll make it work.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Specific topic journals don't matter - you'd want to be on law review if at all possible anyway. You can write a note on whatever subject you want and the benefit of being on the flagship journal outweighs any benefit you'd get from doing a tech journal.

I totally understand if you decide that S is better overall for your tech goals, but that should be based on other kinds of opportunities than having a tech-specific journal.

[McAvoy]

Yale doesn't have grades. It's also Yale.

[ttime97]

Specific topic journals don't matter - you'd want to be on law review if at all possible anyway. You can write a note on whatever subject you want and the benefit of being on the flagship journal outweighs any benefit you'd get from doing a tech journal.

I totally understand if you decide that S is better overall for your tech goals, but that should be based on other kinds of opportunities than having a tech-specific journal.

I guess in my mind journals are attached to what students are interested in. I guess I saw it as a sign that not only are the faculty not necessarily focused on that field, but that there haven't been enough students interested to start one. That's not a real determining factor but I saw that as a reflection of the mind set about law/tech/media at the school. I guess that wasn't entirely fair.

[jojobean7]

If you're interested in tech and media, I think SLS is the best choice. Compounded by the fact that you want Cali, I would pick Stanford.

+1

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

I'd absolutely take the Ruby.