Northwestern vs. Texas vs. Vanderbilt vs. WUSTL Forum

[ano957]

.

[BrazilBandit]

Schools I'm considering & Total Cost of Attendance: *Cost of living not included as it will be paid for by family.*
Northwestern - $120,000
Texas - $70,000
Vanderbilt - $97,000
WUSTL - $0
Rest of T14 (minus YHS) are pending and would likely be sticker if accepted.

Still in negotiating process with schools.

Will be financing through loans and family will likely help out some.

From Texas, goal is to work in any of the major cities in TX (mid-sized firm or Biglaw)

URM (MA), 170 LSAT (3 takes), & GPA below schools 25th percentile but above 3.0

I am really having a tough time choosing between UT and Northwestern. WUSTL offer is amazing, but I honestly have no desire to go there. I would appreciate any feedback! I probably shouldn't have even included Vanderbilt as Texas would be cheaper and my goal is to work in Texas, but oh well. I applied late in the cycle, but would rather not wait another year.

UT, easy...

[PeanutsNJam]

A URM with a 170/3.0 should get a much better offer from NU and other T14's :-/

[ano957]

A URM with a 170/3.0 should get a much better offer from NU and other T14's :-/

so maybe wait a year and reapply? (I really don't want to) Most of my apps were on hold until early March for LSAT so that's probably why.

[transferror]

I applied late in the cycle, but would rather not wait another year.

How late?

[ano957]

I applied late in the cycle, but would rather not wait another year.

How late?

Most apps were on hold until early March

[transferror]

I applied late in the cycle, but would rather not wait another year.

How late?

Most apps were on hold until early March

I think you should reapply in October. URM splitters have wild cycles, but you should end up with better offers from UT/Vandy and the lower T14. UT at 70k is a fine option, but you're probably leaving better options on the table by not reapplying.

[Nomo]

Texas is the easy choice. BUT only if you're comfortable with the possibility of working in a small firm, because that's what happens to a lot of UT students. (midlaw barely exists, in a way its harder to get than biglaw).

[lawdoggy]

Texas or wait.

[ano957]

Bump...

Just received notice that the Hazlewood Act will cover all tuition and fees at any Texas public school (UT). I guess it's a given that I should go to UT for sure now?

[ILoveYou]

Bump...

Just received notice that the Hazlewood Act will cover all tuition and fees at any Texas public school (UT). I guess it's a given that I should go to UT for sure now?

Um, yeah. Good luck!

[BigZuck]

(midlaw barely exists, in a way its harder to get than biglaw).

Sure, although I think TX is kind of an exception to that, perhaps more so than any other place in the country. There are some pretty legit shops in the small/mid range with a decent starting salary. Check out page 4:

http://www.utexas.edu/law/career/prospe ... t-2013.pdf

I know it's not 100% reporting salaries so some measure of salt should be taken but the salaries there are pretty solid in the 2-100 person firm range. There's a number of small/midsize firms that come to interview on campus (but of course you're certainly right, some are elite AF and only take law review kids). But yeah, 20% of the class ended up in those kinds of jobs and overall the salary seems decent (although who knows when it comes to some of those 2-10 person shops...).

Bump...

Just received notice that the Hazlewood Act will cover all tuition and fees at any Texas public school (UT). I guess it's a given that I should go to UT for sure now?

Yeah, go to UT

[Nomo]

Less than half of Texas students are getting biglaw or midlaw. More northwestern students get biglaw, but its more expensive and its main market is Chicago, a place you don't seem interested.

Which is worse: working in Chicago or working small law in Texas? Maybe that's how you answer this question.