Top Law Schools

The schools you are considering
UVA, NYU, UPenn

The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each
UVA ($90,000 scholly) - $185,000
NYU ($45,000 scholly) - $254,000
UPenn ($45,000 scholly) - $249,000

How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
All loans

Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)
From Northeast & want to stay/return here. Currently all my ties are to NYC. Wouldn't mind D.C. but I know that's a tough market to crack.

Your general career goals
Will gun hard for FedGov & prestigious PI but any gov or PI really. Haven't yet narrowed down my goals, but I worked at a biglaw firm before school and absolutely know I'm not about that life. I would love to clerk is possible.

Your LSAT/GPA numbers
3.3x
175

How many times you have taken the LSAT
2

I know I'm very lucky to have that amount from UVA. Is my desire for PI enough to merit more debt at NYU? When I visited I liked UVA a little more, but currently my friends & SO live in NYC. I know there are personal factors in this decision that I need to figure out for myself, but I'm very curious to see what people think in general.

look, i think you need to head back to the negotiating table with nyu
i don't know whether you're at a 3.30 or a 3.39
if it's on the high end, i can tell you that my numbers aren't so far off from yours and i got more

if you want prestigious pi in nyc, nyu is the best option
but you need to push financial aid
if i were you, i'd schedule an appointment first thing monday morning

i will say that for your goals, nyu is the best fit

and i think if you go in person and really demonstrate your interest in attending and show them your uva offer, they'll budge

It does sound like NYU is the best fit for you, but I urge you to consider the big law route. If it's on the table, do it for 3-5 more years and never look back.

I know you hate it, but pay back those loans and build a rainy day fund. You can go big law to federal PI easy.

Best of luck.