Northwestern (165k) v. Harvard (sticker?) Forum

[daisy_miller]

I already put down a deposit at Northwestern with a 165k scholarship. However, I just found out that I could be moved off the Harvard waitlist. I grew up in Boston and Chicago so I have sentimental ties to each city, although all of my family currently resides in Chicago. I would like the option of working on the east coast, but it is not a deal breaker. I'm presumably going to do big law, but I am also interested in possible clerkships or later political work.

Like so many annoying people before me, I'm wondering if Harvard is worth sticker. Since Harvard doesn't offer merit based aid, I'm guessing any financial aid help they'll give me will be minimal or zero. I'm also a little bit nervous about the culture/climate of Harvard, since I haven't been on the campus since I was little and won't be able to visit before a decision needs to be made. Help?

[OhBoyOhBortles]

I would kill for 165 at NU. I wouldn't kill for admission to H. Do with that what you will.

[ndirish2010]

What about Chicago? Seems like a decent scholarship there would be a good option if you had it.

As it stands, I think I would go NU, but I don't think you could go wrong with either.

[L’Étranger]

N is a fantastic school. 165k is a lot of money. I would still, personally, take H.

The law is a highly prestige driven field, and H is H.

[TasmanianToucan]

In order to receive the best feedback in this forum, please provide as much of the following information in your original post as possible:

-The schools you are considering
-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each. COA = cost of tuition + fees + books + cost of living (COL) + accumulated interest - scholarships. Here is a helpful calculator.
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)
-Your general career goals
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
-How many times you have taken the LSAT

(OBOB cmon this is your job.)

[jbagelboy]

When you say "I could be moved off the Harvard waitlist," does that mean you got a JS2, or you just think a JS2 is possible? From the phrasing, this sounds premature.

I think you could use a little more precision about your goals. If you really want to work in government or the political arena, there's more of a perceivable benefit to Harvard. If you think you'll land in the private sector either way and you're not targeting some obscure or highly competitive market (DC, SF, Florida), stick with the money.

[jselson]

So basically you want NY or Chi biglaw.

Take the money.

[everton125]

When you say "I could be moved off the Harvard waitlist," does that mean you got a JS2, or you just think a JS2 is possible? From the phrasing, this sounds premature.

I think you could use a little more precision about your goals. If you really want to work in government or the political arena, there's more of a perceivable benefit to Harvard. If you think you'll land in the private sector either way and you're not targeting some obscure or highly competitive market (DC, SF, Florida), stick with the money.

Harvard's Dean is calling and saying "we will accept you off of the waitlist, but only if you verbally commit before we accept you." That is likely what has happened here.

[CanadianWolf]

Easy choice since all of your family currently resides in Chicago & Chicago biglaw is one of your career targets, plus you haven't been accepted to Harvard.

P.S. Is your highest LSAT 166 ? If so, great results even with a 3.97 GPA. (NU seems to reward TFA alumni.)

[MikeJD]

NW

[eph]

Harvard if available. That said NW with 165 is a great outcome so congrats. And NWU has a pres who has spent lots of time around ephs, always a plus.

[WheninLaw]

Why are people making this sound like a close decision? NU by a landslide. Seriously what the fuck telling him Harvard at sticker?

[bjsesq]

Why are people making this sound like a close decision? NU by a landslide. Seriously what the fuck telling him Harvard at sticker?

This. Jesus fuck, dumbasses.

[PrizeFighter]

Why are people making this sound like a close decision? NU by a landslide. Seriously what the fuck telling him Harvard at sticker?

This. Jesus fuck, people being held by NU.

[eph]

Half the people at HYS had way better offers than NW with 165. It's mostly a numbers game after all. The sky is falling...you will be sorry. If you didn't actually face this or a similar decision, well I guess you are still entitled to an opinion. A Hamilton, ok, a Ruby, sure, other than that.

And the most oblivious reason, Daisy. Henry James went to Harvard Law.

[WheninLaw]

Half the people at HYS had way better offers than NW with 165. It's mostly a numbers game after all. The sky is falling...you will be sorry. If you didn't actually face this or a similar decision, well I guess you are still entitled to an opinion. A Hamilton, ok, a Ruby, sure, other than that.

And the most oblivious reason, Daisy. Henry James went to Harvard Law.

He he

[FloridaCoastalorbust]

just go to harvard

[Mack.Hambleton]

Any 100k+ offers from CCNP?

[Clearly]

Any 100k+ offers from CCNP?

Word on the street is you jumped ship

[Mack.Hambleton]

yes unfortunately I was wooed away

Lol at that avatar

[unc0mm0n1]

Why are people making this sound like a close decision? NU by a landslide. Seriously what the fuck telling him Harvard at sticker?

This. Jesus fuck, dumbasses.

Not even close. H is awesome but 165k is 165k. Go to NU.

[NorCalLaw]

Remember that the $165k scholarship will save you a lot more than $165k in the long run, when you take into account interest.

Also, biglaw starting @ $160k does not mean $160k take-home. $165k in extra debt will be a huge hole to climb out of by any measure.

[PodPeople]

I, on the other hand, would kill for Harvard!

[WheninLaw]

I, on the other hand, would kill for Harvard!

Because you are a 0L that doesn't understand debt or employment outcomes.

[PoopNpants]

I wouldn't kill for any law school, that's pretty fucked up wouldn't want that on my conscience