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First of all, I just want to say thank you to the TLS community. A couple of years ago I came extremely close to taking the LSAT unprepared and enrolling in a TTTT. I found this site and now I am very grateful to have these options.

So, I'm pretty sure I know TCR, but I would appreciate TLS' wisdom before I make a final decision. I've narrowed my options down to these choices.

1. U of Chicago (120k in debt at graduation or maybe a little under)
2. NYU (140k-150k in debt at graduation or maybe a little under)
3. UVA (30k in debt or maybe a little under)

I have yet to receive a final response from Stanford, Harvard, and Columbia.

How am I funding this: A combination of scholarship money, my own savings, family resources, and loans.

Where do I want to work: Southern California. My ties to Southern California are as strong as possible. I literally have no ties anywhere else.

Goals: If I do litigation, clerkship>>straight into big law in Southern California>>>big law in new york>>anything else. If transactional, big law in Southern California>>>big law in new york>>anything else. I really have no idea which one I would prefer over the other at this time.

Negotiating: I've already tried negotiating with U of Chicago and NYU. Both of them upped there offers by a small amount. Would it be worth it to try again? I was a little disheartened when they basically laughed at $$$ from UVA.

Just let me know if there is any other information that would be helpful in evaluating my options and I will be sure to post it. Thank you!

UVA by a mile, though I don't know how well it places in CA. Do you have USC/UCLA for free?

nebula666 wrote:UVA by a mile, though I don't know how well it places in CA. Do you have USC/UCLA for free?

I got 120k at UCLA, so with instate tuition its about the same amount of debt as I would have at UVA. I feel like it would be crazy to turn down UVA for UCLA at equal cost. I didn't apply to USC (grew up a bruin fan). UVA's west coast placement is what is concerning me. UChi seems to place well out west, but the approximately 90k price difference seems way too steep. I appreciate your response!

UoC has excellent west coast placement. Regardless, UVA by a mile.

WheninLaw wrote:UoC has excellent west coast placement. Regardless, UVA by a mile.

I vote for Chicago, but why no boalt?

UVA without question. You'll probably do NYC biglaw. With that debt, you'll profit. How feasible is a lateral to Southern California?

Virginia. That's a great fuckin price. Unless HSC come within $100k off WL (unlikely) I'd stick with UVA here.

That's a great price for UVA. I know there's a lot of networking/support for people aiming for the West Coast, but I can't speak with any certainty with how well UVA places there. You may want to actually speak to admissions for some details about it - they should be pretty forthcoming - but look at whatever they give you with a critical eye. Maybe look to get in contact with some alumni in CA, or some 2Ls/3Ls to let you know how well it travels. That being said - with strong ties I have a feeling you won't have a problem.

LET'S GET IT wrote:

WheninLaw wrote:UoC has excellent west coast placement. Regardless, UVA by a mile.

I vote for Chicago, but why no boalt?

Because that's not one of OPs choices?

WheninLaw wrote:

LET'S GET IT wrote:

WheninLaw wrote:UoC has excellent west coast placement. Regardless, UVA by a mile.

I vote for Chicago, but why no boalt?

Because that's not one of OPs choices?

Lol. Yes I can see that. Just seems like it would be a perfect fit for OP's goals.

LET'S GET IT wrote:

WheninLaw wrote:

LET'S GET IT wrote:

WheninLaw wrote:UoC has excellent west coast placement. Regardless, UVA by a mile.

I vote for Chicago, but why no boalt?

Because that's not one of OPs choices?

Lol. Yes I can see that. Just seems like it would be a perfect fit for OP's goals.

Thank you to all who offered some advice. I am not considering Berkeley because they denied my matching scholarship app. Berkeley at sticker seemed absolutely absurd given I had money at better schools and obviously a very generous offer from UVA. I deposited at UVA, but I'm going to take one more shot at negotiating with Chicago. I'm not expecting much/anything though.

jbagelboy wrote:Virginia. That's a great fuckin price. Unless HSC come within $100k off WL (unlikely) I'd stick with UVA here.

Stanford is clearly ideal for my goals. However, it would be an absolute miracle if I got in considering I have been under review for 8 months with no news. I also don't have outstanding softs. Applicants with similar numbers to me had a lot of success with getting into Harvard off the wait list last year. I have no idea what amount of aid I would receive though and I highly doubt it would be anywhere close to 100k.

Ah. I think you can't go wrong with UChi or UVA. Congrats on being in a great position. Good luck!