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Mid-to low 170's LSAT, mid 3's GPA.

Offered 38K over three years at Columbia, 35K at NYU, waiting on Penn but interested and probably will get a bit more. No particular career interests. Which school should I choose? What final offer should I hope to receive? I have heard some negative things about Columbia. Anyone care to disagree?

Also considering reapplying next year for full ride at Northwestern ED. Thoughts?

Thanks to everyone who has so helpful at TLS!

You're not going to get NU ED with a below median GPA, I think that's worth mentioning. Since you don't have Penn's offer, the only choices is C vs N in which case Columbia is the right choice unless you have some reason to pay more for a school with marginally worse employment outcomes in the same market.

If you get more from Penn I'd go there. I took Columbia over NYU at equal scholarship money and am happy with my choice, but Penn starts off cheaper than Columbia and a big scholarship should seal the deal. After you get the Penn offer make sure to negotiate with all three schools before making your final decision. You're looking at huge debt regardless so you might as well try to bring it down on the front end while you still can.

As for NU ED I disagree that you're an auto-reject with a below median GPA but I don't think it's worth waiting and reapplying for.

clavus2003 wrote:I have heard some negative things about Columbia. Anyone care to disagree?

What did you hear? People came to ASW with some strange ideas today, so I'd be happy to address any concerns.

ETA: You'll get even better information in the Ask a Law Student subforum.

Visit NYU and Columbia and pick one.

I'd go to CLS here unless Penn was quite generous. That's still a ton of debt but you're signing up for it either way.

jbagelboy wrote:I'd go to CLS here unless Penn was quite generous. That's still a ton of debt but you're signing up for it either way.

And like banjo said, if you have any specific q's about cls feel free to ask in the forum or via pm. I don't think the "negative" stereotypes Ive heard floating around are at all true. You'd be surprised about what students actually find most frustrating (aside from how expensive it is).

If you are definitely looking to just go the big firm route, CLS is marginally better. If you are looking to go the PI route, NYU is marginally better. I'd probably just pick based on that. But of course you can compare the neighborhoods, the "vibe" you get from each, etc. if you really aren't sure.

Take it from someone who passed up the T14 for no debt and now listens to T14 associates whine as they burn 20% of their earnings every month. A free ride at NU is easily your best option if you can get it.

...

Lots people choose less debt. But hey, if you insist on a $300K insurance policy, step right this way, no shortage of schools eagerly ready to accept your money. Whether you leverage your scores or not, choice is yours.

...

manu6926 wrote:

twenty 8 wrote:Lots people choose less debt. But hey, if you insist on a $300K insurance policy, step right this way, no shortage of schools eagerly ready to accept your money. Whether you leverage your scores or not, choice is yours.

Retaking a 172~174 LSAT score would be very very rash.

I agree. I do not see any need to retake. I believe OP can ride for free (or with a substantial discount, as is). The contention here, should one opt for less debt at the cost of dropping below the T14. If the OP is gunning for NYC, DC, etc., then probably best to pay the price.

(As I understand it, LSAT scores are good for several years...never had a reason to find out....I might be wrong but I always assumed ED would give you less leverage, not more).

twenty 8 wrote:Lots people choose less debt. But hey, if you insist on a $300K insurance policy, step right this way, no shortage of schools eagerly ready to accept your money. Whether you leverage your scores or not, choice is yours.

OPs total debt burden would be quite a bit less than $300k. With SA probably $230-240k incl interest at repayment.

aboutmydaylight wrote:You're not going to get NU ED with a below median GPA.

So I tend to agree with this, but based on this year's thread I don't think it is out of the question.

For example :

rothbard wrote:long time lurker
just got the email I am in!!!!
3.42
170

I think there was another person on tls who also got in below median. Just an ancedote, but it is possible

jbagelboy wrote:OPs total debt burden would be quite a bit less than $300k. With SA probably $230-240k incl interest at repayment.

You must realize 230 means you’re paying 2K a month for 14 years. Take what you are planning on paying for a mortgage and then add 2K ….difference is hosting pool parties in your gated community.

One day we'll teach twenty 8 that the biglaw prospects from Harvard and Stetson aren't the same. One day...

I’ll give you that. If you can gain a free ride to Harvard I suspect you’re deciding whether or not to host a pool party in your mansion or spend the weekend at your Cape Cod oceanfront château. No free ride? In that case I guess you’ll have to put those weekend plans on hold for 14 years.

Thanks everyone for the comments. Much appreciated. Still waiting on penn offer. Will let everyone know what I decide. Twenty8, I respect your disdain for debt but I, for one, am not going to cooley.

clavus2003 wrote:probably will get a bit more. No particular career interests.

Normally I would say Columbia. But, in all seriousness you're talking about taking on so much debt that even Columbia might not be a great investment. Its going to take some time to pay off those loans, you better enjoy biglaw and you better be really pumped about whatever your exit options are. Your lack of career interests makes me worry that you don't know enough about biglaw or your exit options to be pumped (or saddened).

Think about how much money you're about to spend for the right to enter into a particular career . . . Do you even want to be in that career??? Just because you're bright doesn't mean you should go to law school. Please don't go unless you can give a really a good explanation of why you want to be a lawyer. Because if a legal career isn't really right for you, then you're on the verge of throwing your life away.