Cornell v. Northwestern v. Ohio State Forum

[doctorpepper]

-The schools you are considering

-Cornell ($60K total scholarship)
-Northwestern ($0 total scholarship)
-Ohio State ($69K total scholarship)

-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each. COA = cost of tuition + fees + books + cost of living (COL) + accumulated interest - scholarships.

Cornell: ~$150,000 ($0 debt)
Northwestern: ~$210,000 ($0 debt)
Ohio State: ~$36,000 ($0 debt)

-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings

I am in the very fortunate situation of being able to pay the entire COA with a combination of family support/savings and personal savings.

-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)

From Ohio, lived entire life here.

-Your general career goals

Goal is Cleveland big/mid law. Willing (or more resigned to) to try to lateral back home after a few years in Chicago/NYC. Geographically, preferences are Cleveland>Columbus>Chicago>NYC>job anywhere. Interested in government work down the line, as I have some experience in state gov.

-Your LSAT/GPA numbers

167/3.8. K-JD, have some part-time experience.

-How many times you have taken the LSAT

Twice. 163 in June 2013, 167 in October. PT average right at 167, highest 169.

My concerns about the three schools:

Cornell: Huge NYC focus, and I would prefer to practice in the Midwest.
Northwestern: I'm K-JD and might be at something of a disadvantage. And is NU worth $60K more than Cornell?
Ohio State: Not a great shot at big/mid law and it seems foolish to turn down the T14 debt free when I already have good Ohio ties.

I appreciate any feedback!

[Schulte212]

I had a similar choice as you not too long ago. Went to MVP and found it relatively easy to break into the Cleveland market. My grades were very good but not excellent.

I voted for Northwestern because it gives you the greatest chance at landing a job (including the job you want). At Ohio State, you need to be near the top of your class to get Ohio big/midlaw. If you want to maximize your chances, I would go to Northwestern--even if that means a much higher cost of attendance.

[ndirish2010]

Did you not apply to Michigan? Out of those choices, I think Northwestern. OSU is too risky.

[raininthedesert]

This is not even a choice!? Your Cornell JD, in conjunction with your Ohio ties, will secure employment there at an equal to -- if not greater than -- level than OSU. Everything about Cornell is better from the facilities and the faculty to the journals and the employment prospects.

Enough of rubbing into our noses already...

[Otunga]

This is not even a choice!? Your Cornell JD, in conjunction with your Ohio ties, will secure employment there at an equal to -- if not greater than -- level than OSU. Everything about Cornell is better from the facilities and the faculty to the journals and the employment prospects.

Enough of rubbing into our noses already...

I don't know. If he wants Ohio, shouldn't he do the midwest school? If it were debt-financed, I'd agree with you on Cornell, since that's significantly less expensive.

[yost]

Northwestern debt-free when your goal is Midwest Biglaw? Yes please.

[jk148706]

Northwestern debt-free when your goal is Midwest Biglaw? Yes please.

? OP has nothing from NU

[TheSpanishMain]

Northwestern debt-free when your goal is Midwest Biglaw? Yes please.

? OP has nothing from NU

He says 0 COA, so I assume that means he could pay NU at sticker through family support/savings.

[hcrimson2014]

Northwestern debt-free when your goal is Midwest Biglaw? Yes please.

Cornell means OP will have $60000 extra in his bank, that is half of a down payment for a Cleveland house.

[jk148706]

Northwestern debt-free when your goal is Midwest Biglaw? Yes please.

? OP has nothing from NU

He says 0 COA, so I assume that means he could pay NU at sticker through family support/savings.

Oh yeah, my bad. Still, that's a lot of cash that could be sitting in her/his bank account instead

[doctorpepper]

Did you not apply to Michigan? Out of those choices, I think Northwestern. OSU is too risky.

Yes, I did apply to Michigan, and was waitlisted. I think they're biased against us Buckeyes.

Northwestern debt-free when your goal is Midwest Biglaw? Yes please.

? OP has nothing from NU

He says 0 COA, so I assume that means he could pay NU at sticker through family support/savings.

Oh yeah, my bad. Still, that's a lot of cash that could be sitting in her/his bank account instead

Right---Right now Cornell is $60k cheaper, but no debt either way. Obviously a consideration, though. I guess the question is, how much is Northwestern's advantage in Midwestern placement worth?

[Power_of_Facing]

-The schools you are considering

-Cornell ($60K total scholarship)
-Northwestern ($0 total scholarship, although pending reconsideration)
-Ohio State ($69K total scholarship)

-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each. COA = cost of tuition + fees + books + cost of living (COL) + accumulated interest - scholarships.

Cornell: ~$150,000 ($0 debt)
Northwestern: ~$210,000 ($0 debt)
Ohio State: ~$36,000 ($0 debt)

-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings

I am in the very fortunate situation of being able to pay the entire COA with a combination of family support/savings and personal savings.

-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)

From Ohio, lived entire life here.

-Your general career goals

Goal is Cleveland big/mid law. Willing (or more resigned to) to try to lateral back home after a few years in Chicago/NYC. Geographically, preferences are Cleveland>Columbus>Chicago>NYC>job anywhere. Interested in government work down the line, as I have some experience in state gov.

-Your LSAT/GPA numbers

167/3.8. K-JD, have some part-time experience.

-How many times you have taken the LSAT

Twice. 163 in June 2013, 167 in October. PT average right at 167, highest 169.

My concerns about the three schools:

Cornell: Huge NYC focus, and I would prefer to practice in the Midwest.
Northwestern: I'm K-JD and might be at something of a disadvantage. And is NU worth $60K more than Cornell?
Ohio State: Not a great shot at big/mid law and it seems foolish to turn down the T14 debt free when I already have good Ohio ties.

I appreciate any feedback!

I would strongly, strongly encourage you to work for a year and retake the LSAT one more time.

I was in a similar position to you last year, and making the decision to work for a year and retake was the best professional choice I have ever made.

Two more points on the LSAT will net you tens of thousands of dollars from many more T14s, and with a 170, you're looking at full tuition from Northwestern (ED). Moreover, if you can secure work in a legal setting, you'll be able to strengthen your ties to your target market while generally boosting your candidacy for the next cycle. Make no mistake, law schools care about admitting employable students in this economy, and work experience is very valuable in this regard.

Seriously: work, retake, prosper.

PM me should you have questions about my experience.