Top Law Schools

So Duke, Cornell, and Penn's deadlines are 4/25 and I need to mail out the deposit tomorrow. I had another thread but the whole Penn scholly didn't happen until today, and that's a real game changer considering the defrayed costs (see below). Please help.

-The schools you are considering:
Columbia, Chicago, NYU, Penn, Michigan, Duke, Cornell

-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each:
Penn: 75K total. ~155K debt at repayment****
Cornell: 150 K total. ~103K debt at repayment
Duke: 114K total. ~133 debt at repayment
Michigan: 114K total. ~128K debt at repayment
NYU: 25K total. ~260K debt at repayment
Chicago: 45K total. ~228K debt at repayment
Columbia: 12K total. ~285K debt at repayment


-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings:
100% loans except...
**I just received the 75K scholarship from Penn today, and because my parents desire me close to home, they are willing to pay the scholarship difference between Penn and Duke. Yes, I know this is kind of weird, but regardless it's a factor.

-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any):
From NYC metro area and would be fine working in any of NYC, Chicago, DC, Philly, or even West Coast. Only have ties in NY area.

-Your general career goals:
Probably Big-Law for a while to pay off loans. Either go in-house or (ideally) fed government after. I have studied and have some long-term interests in environmental law, if possible.

-Your LSAT/GPA numbers:
3.9x/170

-How many times you have taken the LSAT:
Once.

Other options: WL from UVA and Harvard.

K-JD, no full-time work experience. I've visited Columbia, NYU, Duke, and UMich. Each have their unique qualities but I can see myself being happy at any of these. I think the same could be said for most of my options.

Negotiations: Duke has already raised scholarship by 9K. Mich matched Duke at 114K. Waiting to hear back from Chicago. Penn was post-negotiation.

Penn hands down

K-JD with 3.9x/170 and only taking the LSAT once breaks my heart every time. Rich parents can be a great thing to have but unfortunately they can also be pretty stifling when it comes to an individual realizing their full potential. If this were me, I would do whatever I can to snag HYS or a big scholarship at CCN. But you're not going to do that. It's not the end of the world of course, but the options could have been significantly better.

I guess enjoy Penn

Duke, Penn, or Cornell are all good options at those COA's. Your choice, you'll be fine.

BigZuck wrote:K-JD with 3.9x/170 and only taking the LSAT once breaks my heart every time. Rich parents can be a great thing to have but unfortunately they can also be pretty stifling when it comes to an individual realizing their full potential. If this were me, I would do whatever I can to snag HYS or a big scholarship at CCN. But you're not going to do that. It's not the end of the world of course, but the options could have been significantly better.

I guess enjoy Penn

+1

anyriotgirl wrote:

BigZuck wrote:K-JD with 3.9x/170 and only taking the LSAT once breaks my heart every time. Rich parents can be a great thing to have but unfortunately they can also be pretty stifling when it comes to an individual realizing their full potential. If this were me, I would do whatever I can to snag HYS or a big scholarship at CCN. But you're not going to do that. It's not the end of the world of course, but the options could have been significantly better.

I guess enjoy Penn

+1

Meh. Future opportunity cost. Probably worth it to go to LS a year earlier so he can start working in biglaw one year earlier. Though I'm not sure what OP would be doing if he waited a year, doubt he'll be making any big money. Also CCN v. Penn is a wash

But then again, WE always helps during OCI.

Don't think it's a huge deal for OP anyway

iliketurtles123 wrote:

anyriotgirl wrote:

BigZuck wrote:K-JD with 3.9x/170 and only taking the LSAT once breaks my heart every time. Rich parents can be a great thing to have but unfortunately they can also be pretty stifling when it comes to an individual realizing their full potential. If this were me, I would do whatever I can to snag HYS or a big scholarship at CCN. But you're not going to do that. It's not the end of the world of course, but the options could have been significantly better.

I guess enjoy Penn

+1

Meh. Future opportunity cost. Probably worth it to go to LS a year earlier so he can start working in biglaw one year earlier. Though I'm not sure what OP would be doing if he waited a year, doubt he'll be making any big money. Also CCN v. Penn is a wash

But then again, WE always helps during OCI.

Don't think it's a huge deal for OP anyway

I don't think it's a wash

I'll take better school and/or 100K (maybe more) cash money in the pocket and/or somewhat better chances of not striking out+ getting a fun year in your early 20s where you don't have to worry about dumb crap like law school over rushing off to law school now every day and twice on Sundays

I guess it's not a "huge" deal though.

BigZuck wrote:

iliketurtles123 wrote:

anyriotgirl wrote:

BigZuck wrote:K-JD with 3.9x/170 and only taking the LSAT once breaks my heart every time. Rich parents can be a great thing to have but unfortunately they can also be pretty stifling when it comes to an individual realizing their full potential. If this were me, I would do whatever I can to snag HYS or a big scholarship at CCN. But you're not going to do that. It's not the end of the world of course, but the options could have been significantly better.

I guess enjoy Penn

+1

Meh. Future opportunity cost. Probably worth it to go to LS a year earlier so he can start working in biglaw one year earlier. Though I'm not sure what OP would be doing if he waited a year, doubt he'll be making any big money. Also CCN v. Penn is a wash

But then again, WE always helps during OCI.

Don't think it's a huge deal for OP anyway

I don't think it's a wash

I'll take better school and/or 100K (maybe more) cash money in the pocket and/or somewhat better chances of not striking out+ getting a fun year in your early 20s where you don't have to worry about dumb crap like law school over rushing off to law school now every day and twice on Sundays

I guess it's not a "huge" deal though.

I truly am sorry to break your heart. Unfortunately, my parents aren't rich or they'd be willing to help out at any school. Got a full-ride to undergrad so they didn't have to pay a cent there, and I've worked all 4 years for my own cash. I live very close to Penn, and they're basically saying they'll start saving now to offset the cost, which I'm obviously very grateful for...but it's a bit frustrating knowing that same $$ could be going towards making Cornell almost free or Duke even cheaper.

Also, I fully take your point about retaking the LSAT. Rationally, it makes sense. But 1) I don't have any job opportunities nor a degree that opens up any doors for employment; 2) Would be financially forced to live at home for the year and have little opportunity for a 'fun year' where that is; and 3) My 4 years of undergrad were pretty cruisy (2 yrs abroad), and I am far from 'burnt out' or craving some rest/relaxation.

I know to 99% of people none of those reasons would convince them to give up the opportunity of HYS or CCN $$$, but so be it.