Top Law Schools

Cornell-$150,000-Parents would cover COL and the rest of the tuition
USC-$120,000-I'd hope that they would play ball and give me a better offer if I negotiate
These are basically my only options, as the T6 either rejected waitlisted hasn't replied or offered way too little money (pretty debt averse) Duke waitlisted and Georgetown (probably wasn't great option anyways) offered $0

I grew up in San Diego County and went to school in Long Beach and really want to stay in Southern California. I would prefer San Diego, but I'm given to understand that its a small, difficult market to crack (could very well be wrong as thats strictly anecdotal but seems like it makes sense) but anywhere in the region would be fine. I would like for Big Law to be an option, but I'd be open to working in a smaller firm. Obviously, Cornell is very good for Big Law but their Cali numbers worry me especially as its tough to determine how much of NYC is self selection. I believe USCs status takes a dip the farther you get from LA (and their Big Law numbers aren't great anyways), but I'm really not sure of my best option. I would think Cornell would be the right move, but I am not sure. Any help would be appreciated

3.97 169 in case anyone is curious

I assume SoCal biglaw is your first choice, but what's your second choice? If you'd take NYC biglaw over SoCal small law then go to Cornell. If you'd take SoCal small law over NYC biglaw then go to USC.

I don't understand the OP

Cornell gave you a 150K scholarship?

That'd be a pretty no brainish no brainer I think.

I would wager that you can get USC to bump you up to a fully if you show them the Cornell offer. I got more money from USC (and significnatly less at Cornell) than you as a splitter.

Yeah, I would take small Cali before big NY; I'm going to send out a negotiation email to USC today

AHEM:

BigZuck wrote:I don't understand the OP

Cornell gave you a 150K scholarship?

BigZuck wrote:AHEM:

BigZuck wrote:I don't understand the OP

Cornell gave you a 150K scholarship?

haha yes they did. So you would consider it a no brainer even with California being the career location?

rwe13 wrote:

BigZuck wrote:AHEM:

BigZuck wrote:I don't understand the OP

Cornell gave you a 150K scholarship?

haha yes they did. So you would consider it a no brainer even with California being the career location?

No, not if you're California or bust

The thought of you having to pay more for USC does make my tummy hurt a little bit though.

BigZuck wrote: The thought of you having to pay more for USC does make my tummy hurt a little bit though.

Me too. Is UCLA out of the picture or are we just hoping USC will match Cornell at this point?

Tiago Splitter wrote:

BigZuck wrote: The thought of you having to pay more for USC does make my tummy hurt a little bit though.

Me too. Is UCLA out of the picture or are we just hoping USC will match Cornell at this point?

hah yeah it would be tough for me to justify more for USC; I didn't apply there. Maybe I should have, but I've been there a ton (girlfriend goes there) and have never cared for it whereas I like USC more despite the surrounding area

You should be able to get a free ride from USC with those numbers, come back after negotiation. If USC doesn't budge, take Cornell

Usc after negotiations

Aright so USC upped their offer to 150 which makes it marginally cheaper than Cornell and I'd be debt free at either place

0 debt at USC, especially if you value being in CA over BigLaw, seems like a great option. Congrats.

I think one of these schools is in southern California and the other is in new York.

I wonder if that makes a difference?