UH v UIUC v UCI Forum

[parisian]

Hi guys,

Currently I'm deciding btw the offers of:

-UIUC with COA $81k
-UH $90k
-UCI $153k

I am interested in Biglaw and wouldn't mind the location; I know these options aren't ideal but I won't retake. Any insights would be truly appreciated. UCI seems to send 1/3 of their class to clerkship/biglaw, which is like the highest of these 3. UIUC with their placement, COA and relative ranking of the 3 seems to be the best deal but I am a bit concerned about the cold weather.

Many thanks!

[KMart]

You say you don't mind location but then complain about Chicago's cold. Find where you want to work and choose that school (I'd choose U of I).

[allamerican73]

Not voting because you are going about this decision backwards...you need to figure out where you want to live and then proceed accordingly. These are three Regional schools and you need to (conservatively) assume that you will graduate in the middle of the class. In addition, frankly, I'm not even sure what "UH" is...Houston? If so, probably not portable outside of the Houston Metro area.

[thebobs1987]

Yeah, first decide where you would be happy practicing law. Then you say you're interested in big law, but UIUC is the best of them and still only 1/4 of students there get it. Would you be content making more like 60k? If not, retake. If you are ok, then probably UIUC

[romothesavior]

None are good options for true big law. Also, did you just throw darts at a map when you decided to apply?

If you are willing to be more flexible in your goals, UIUC is your best option. You could get big law from UIUC, but be prepared to be okay doing something else.

Sounds like you know retaking is the best option but refuse to do it.

[Rigo]

Of these three, UIUC.
However, you need to be fine with more modest outcomes. Biglaw is possible from UIUC, but certainly not probable. If you're truly biglaw or bust, then you need to retake.

[Dr. Nefario]

UH isn't work 80K unless you're from Texas. Even if you are from Texas, UT grads and T14 scoop up most of the Houston/Austin/San Antonio BigLaw jobs from my understanding. UIUC at least gives you a 1/4 shot at BigLaw if you can work your butt off. It would really help to know your full stats: career goals outside of BigLaw since none of these are extremely likely to land you there, how you will be financing these bills, your LSAT w/ number of takes, and your GPA.

But if you are completely unwilling to take, without any more information UIUC would probably be the best option.

ETA: just know there seem to be a LARGE portion of kids who go to UIUC hoping to gun for Chicago BigLaw so you'll probably be flooded with competition.

[jbagelboy]

you need to decide which markets you're targeting before you set out schools like this. you also need a backup career plan if you land outside top 20% and biglaw isn't possible for you.

regardless, UCI at $150K+ should be eliminated from consideration

[Okie25]

If cold weather is an issue, go to Houston.

Gotta retake for big law though.

[twenty]

I am interested in Biglaw [...] but I won't retake.

I'm digging this new breed of LSAT-belligerence. Last cycle was "I can't retake for personal reasons which I can't tell you about" and the cycle before was "I can't retake because I can't afford to take time off after undergrad." It's nice to not have to play games.

[thebobs1987]

you need to decide which markets you're targeting before you set out schools like this. you also need a backup career plan if you land outside top 20% and biglaw isn't possible for you.

regardless, UCI at $150K+ should be eliminated from consideration

Yes, definitely ignore the people picking UCI on the poll. You would likely be committing financial suicide going there at that COA

[Pumpkin-Duke of Pie]

you need to decide which markets you're targeting before you set out schools like this. you also need a backup career plan if you land outside top 20% and biglaw isn't possible for you.

regardless, UCI at $150K+ should be eliminated from consideration

And if you do have a backup career plan and can't get more money from either school (aside from COA), maybe just do that instead. You'll probably be happier in the long run.

[03152016]

I am interested in Biglaw and wouldn't mind the location; I know these options aren't ideal but I won't retake.

lol

[The Dark Shepard]

Well if you refuse to make the best decision, the best advice I can give is to minimize your debt and go to either UH or UIUC. I'd say UIUC is a "better" bet. But you might hate Illinois the state.

[Wingtip88]

Do your prospective debt calculations include the interest that will build upon your loans while you are in school? Just curious.

Chicago (where I'm from) got 82 inches of snow last year. I personally put a few thousand dollars of repairs into my car thanks to our ignominious potholes and an unfortunate incident involving an icy street and a roadway median. Granted, last winter was an exceptional one and nobody was happy with it. But still, If cold ain't your thing, don't plan on a life in Chicago.

Finally, you said

I am interested in Biglaw and wouldn't mind the location; I know these options aren't ideal but I won't retake.

So you are "interested" in earning $160,000 a year, but would otherwise settle for $40-60,000 a year on the 2/3 chance Biglaw doesn't work out? Have you researched the different kinds of work lawyers do at different kinds of firms (and at different ends of the earning spectrum?)

You don't appear to have researched law school well enough to make a truly informed decision at this point. No offense.

[ManoftheHour]

I am interested in Biglaw [...] but I won't retake.

I'm digging this new breed of LSAT-belligerence. Last cycle was "I can't retake for personal reasons which I can't tell you about" and the cycle before was "I can't retake because I can't afford to take time off after undergrad." It's nice to not have to play games.

lol

[Chevron Deference]

UIUC

[jingosaur]

Why do people post these threads? (Not a rhetorical question). It's like someone walking into an AA meeting and asking whether he should drink a fifth of vodka or gin.

Don't tell me to stay sober because I've already decided to get wasted tonight. Also I'll be driving.

[Johann]

Why do people post these threads? (Not a rhetorical question). It's like someone walking into an AA meeting and asking whether he should drink a fifth of vodka or gin.

Don't tell me to stay sober because I've already decided to get wasted tonight. Also I'll be driving.

why would you quote a hypocritical boomer who couldnt hack it as a lawyer as a way to prove youre right?

[jbagelboy]

Why do people post these threads? (Not a rhetorical question). It's like someone walking into an AA meeting and asking whether he should drink a fifth of vodka or gin.

Don't tell me to stay sober because I've already decided to get wasted tonight. Also I'll be driving.

why would you quote a hypocritical boomer who couldnt hack it as a lawyer as a way to prove youre right?

considering it's way more difficult to become a tenured law professor than "a lawyer" in the pastoralizing sense you're referring to, the "couldn't hack it" argument lacks a lot of force. Most practicing attorneys would love to be law profs.