Top Law Schools

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Kinda weird choices for NYC big law.

What was your cost of attendance at Cornell?

On the waitlist and they have not admitted anyone yet

NY biglaw or bust?

If you are from the south and would consider returning there if you don't get NYC biglaw then Vandy

If you are NYC biglaw full steam ahead damn the torpedoes then neither

I wouldn't mind working in Boston, would not want to stay in TN though.

If I don't get biglaw I would have other job prospects with family law firms.

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well generally
vandy with zero debt sounds good (much less so if you want to work in the northeast)
and bu with zero debt sounds alright
but

you have a job that lets you put six figures in the bank?
sure you want to go to law school?

how much is ny/boston biglaw a 'goal' for you?
if it's a goal as in, it would be nice if i got it, but i'm not expecting it, then proceed
if it's a goal as in, this is something you really want and it would be disappointing not to get it, then neither

Vandy 2L here. Vandy and BU send a similar percentage of graduates to NY (11% and 14% respectively). I don't know how much of that is self-selection at either school, though.

One problem you will have at Vandy is that there aren't just a whole lot of NYC firms that come to OCI. Some of the top ones like Skadden, Simpson, Latham, etc. do, but they require really good grades. What we don't get at OCI are the less grade selective firms like White & Case. For those, you will have to mass mail, and NYC firms are some of the least receptive to mass mailings.

I think in most situations Vandy is worth $27k more than BU. The difference is 45% biglaw + fed clerk vs. 27% biglaw + fed clerk. I wouldn't spend $88k on BU. If I were you, though, I would seriously think about whether you should go to law school if you have a job that lets you save up $115k.

Thanks everyone. I think what I am most curious about is what rank I would need to be at each school for a good chance at getting to NY. Top 15% at BU vs top 33% at Vanderbilt?

I'm aware that it is a gamble at both schools but, as I am not fully dependent on biglaw after graduation, I want to go to whichever school gives me the better hand for starting my career off at a higher point.

NYSStateOfMind wrote:Thanks everyone. I think what I am most curious about is what rank I would need to be at each school for a good chance at getting to NY. Top 15% at BU vs top 33% at Vanderbilt?

I'm aware that it is a gamble at both schools but, as I am not fully dependent on biglaw after graduation, I want to go to whichever school gives me the better hand for starting my career off at a higher point.

Chances are probably better than that but it's hard to quantify

Please answer all the questions in the sticky at the top of this forum:
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=206299

NYSStateOfMind wrote:Thanks everyone. I think what I am most curious about is what rank I would need to be at each school for a good chance at getting to NY. Top 15% at BU vs top 33% at Vanderbilt?

The Vandy number is about right. Top 1/3 should get you NYC biglaw if you apply broadly enough. Having relevant work experience, maybe in finance, then that will help (especially if you want corporate).

Fordham with $ is probably the credited response, but Vandy places well in NYC biglaw. Between Vandy and BU, I'd go with Vandy.

Informative wrote:Vandy places well in NYC biglaw.

How are you defining "well"?

BigZuck wrote:

Informative wrote:Vandy places well in NYC biglaw.

How are you defining "well"?

Top 1/3rd will get you decent V100 firms in NYC.

I wouldn't do either. Its more likely than not that you won't get what you want out of either school. If you were from the south or even the midwest and had some interest in returning there I would say Vandy is decent plan. But you aren't. For law school to be a good idea for you, given your goals, you're going to need a decent scholarship at a lower T-14.