UF v Emory Law Forum

[manda94]

My number one school was always UF law and I applied to Emory on a whim and did not expect to get in. I got into UF with a 25% scholarship and Emory gave me 69k to be spread over the three years. My parents offered to pay COL and will help out a little with COA. I'm very conflicted over which school to pick. I went to UF undergrad, so I'm very comfortable with the area and wouldn't have to adjust to a new town. I also want to practice in Florida (south Florida to be specific), so it made sense to aim for the number 1 school in Florida. I have family ties in Miami and I've already interned at a firm there last summer and plan to again this summer. However, Emory is higher ranked, but I don't know if that matters when I want to practice in Florida. I'm also worried about being in a new environment and not knowing if I can succeed there. I would like to be on top of my class and obviously competition in Emory is more intense and adding in the unfamiliar environment makes me hesitant. Debt at UF would be 45k less than Emory. UF also has a larger alumni network and more courses I'm interested in, but the prestige of Emory is making it a very tough choice.

Thoughts?

[fliptrip]

Prestige is a red herring. Emory's "prestige" and $2.00 will get you a venti Pike at Starbucks. Your situation screams UF. Don't give Emory a second thought.

[Monochromatic Oeuvre]

Do not go to either of these schools on anything less than a full ride.

[stretchedtoothin]

If your parents are willing to pay for the full COL at UF and help out with the tuition--even like, an additional 25% (to bring your debt-financing to 50% tuition price)--, I'd say go to UF.

[BigZuck]

Do not go to either of these schools on anything less than a full ride.

I agree but looks like a rich parent situation here.

OP- I'd cross Emory off the list. What kind of job as a lawyer are you hoping to get? UF could make sense depending on some career goals but not others. Also, don't expect to be at the top of the class, expect to be middle of the road and make sure you're ok with average outcomes.

eta: oh yeah I'm with you Mono, looks like there might be sizable debt here but it's hard to tell

[TirantMartorell]

My number one school was always UF law and I applied to Emory on a whim and did not expect to get in. I got into UF with a 25% scholarship and Emory gave me 69k to be spread over the three years. My parents offered to pay COL and will help out a little with COA. I'm very conflicted over which school to pick. I went to UF undergrad, so I'm very comfortable with the area and wouldn't have to adjust to a new town. I also want to practice in Florida (south Florida to be specific), so it made sense to aim for the number 1 school in Florida. I have family ties in Miami and I've already interned at a firm there last summer and plan to again this summer. However, Emory is higher ranked, but I don't know if that matters when I want to practice in Florida. I'm also worried about being in a new environment and not knowing if I can succeed there. I would like to be on top of my class and obviously competition in Emory is more intense and adding in the unfamiliar environment makes me hesitant. Debt at UF would be 45k less than Emory. UF also has a larger alumni network and more courses I'm interested in, but the prestige of Emory is making it a very tough choice.

Thoughts?

Are you thinking South Florida Biglaw? If so you'll need to be near the top of your class at UF (top 10%) to even be competitive.

[luckenmeister]

I know I'll be branded a "hater", but Emory is overrated AF. From what I've researched, your chances at Biglaw at Emory aren't much better (~16% Emory vs. ~9.5% UF). If you're 100% set on biglaw, idk if I'd choose any of these schools. But I think UF is a great school if you're looking for legal employment in Florida.

Did you apply to other schools in the region? Vandy, UGA, UT, UNC, FSU, Miami, ect. If any of these schools (likely FSU/Miami) gave you more $$$, you'd have a bargaining chip with UF. But if I was in your position, and would only be happy landing Biglaw in Florida, I'd probably wait until I could get in at a T-14 or Vandy.

[BruceWayne]

Not to jump on the bandwagon but Emory is probably one of, if not the most, overrated schools in the country. I never understood how they could get away with charging top 14 tuition with placement/prestige that is at best slightly better than the public schools in its region. Not to mention you're putting yourself in a school where the students are essentially the same as those at a top 14 but where you need to be top 10 percent to land the sort of job you're probably envisioning when you decide to attend.

[trebekismyhero]

To echo what everyone else said, cross Emory off your list. If you want to practice in South Florida, UF makes much more sense. But only if your debt is going to be under $50k and you would be ok getting a job that pays more like $45k and not $145k. If you really want big law, retake the LSAT for t-14

[manda94]

Debt at UF would be around 25-30k. Debt at Emory would be at least 70k (COL there is higher, so my parents wouldn't be able to help out as much). I don't want to practice big law. I don't know for sure what kind of law I want to practice, but products liability, admiralty, and negligence (which I'm assuming falls under torts) really interest me. Emory doesn't have any admiralty law courses, which is kind of a turn off. I got into UM and they didn't offer me money. I plan on practicing in Miami, but UM debt would be huge so I crossed them off my list. I applied to other schools outside Florida, but the one that gave me money is a peer school to UF so it doesn't really make a difference.

[fliptrip]

Have you given much thought to retaking the LSAT in June to possibly get some more scholarship $ out of UF?

[manda94]

I considered retaking the February LSAT, but my course load is very intense this semester. I've also seen pretty much every single LSAT problem (I used Testmasters prep) and have taken all LSATS from like 2008-now. I've already been exposed to all the information available to me so I don't know how I would even prep. I'm totally fine with my debt at UF. It's a small debt to pay for law school compared to Emory.

[fliptrip]

I considered retaking the February LSAT, but my course load is very intense this semester. I've also seen pretty much every single LSAT problem (I used Testmasters prep) and have taken all LSATS from like 2008-now. I've already been exposed to all the information available to me so I don't know how I would even prep. I'm totally fine with my debt at UF. It's a small debt to pay for law school compared to Emory.

Alrighty...again, ease your mind. Choose UF and get ready to get to work. Leave Emory right where it is...

[manda94]

I considered retaking the February LSAT, but my course load is very intense this semester. I've also seen pretty much every single LSAT problem (I used Testmasters prep) and have taken all LSATS from like 2008-now. I've already been exposed to all the information available to me so I don't know how I would even prep. I'm totally fine with my debt at UF. It's a small debt to pay for law school compared to Emory.

Alrighty...again, ease your mind. Choose UF and get ready to get to work. Leave Emory right where it is...

I'm fully prepared to work my ass off to hopefully be on top of my class. I know it's unlikely, but I'm going to work hard to try and get there. I just figured I would need to be at the top of my class at either of those schools so then it really came down to money and course offerings. I do plan on visiting Emory though before I make a decision.

[BigZuck]

Debt at UF would be around 25-30k. Debt at Emory would be at least 70k (COL there is higher, so my parents wouldn't be able to help out as much). I don't want to practice big law. I don't know for sure what kind of law I want to practice, but products liability, admiralty, and negligence (which I'm assuming falls under torts) really interest me. Emory doesn't have any admiralty law courses, which is kind of a turn off. I got into UM and they didn't offer me money. I plan on practicing in Miami, but UM debt would be huge so I crossed them off my list. I applied to other schools outside Florida, but the one that gave me money is a peer school to UF so it doesn't really make a difference.

I go to school where there is a pretty preeminent admiralty scholar and there are two admiralty courses offered per year, max. It's just not that big of a field. Negligence also isn't a field that you practice in, like you said it's a cause of action in tort.

If you aspire to small firm/local government type work in Florida (and only Florida) then UF is a fine choice with minimal debt.

[jrass]

One thing to consider is that the differences in the medians between these schools and the t-14 is so small that in any given year a 1L class at Emory can be more competitive than a 1L class at Cornell as the LSAT has been shown to have virtually no correlation to 1L grades among students who score within 5 points of one another. However, you will have to place much better in the class than you would at Cornell.

These are both regional schools, but Emory has some pull in major markets (emphasize the term "some"). You're much likelier to have DC and Chicago firms flying interviewers to Emory than UF, but you're talking about one Emory student getting an offer at a given firm.

[fliptrip]

I considered retaking the February LSAT, but my course load is very intense this semester. I've also seen pretty much every single LSAT problem (I used Testmasters prep) and have taken all LSATS from like 2008-now. I've already been exposed to all the information available to me so I don't know how I would even prep. I'm totally fine with my debt at UF. It's a small debt to pay for law school compared to Emory.

Alrighty...again, ease your mind. Choose UF and get ready to get to work. Leave Emory right where it is...

I'm fully prepared to work my ass off to hopefully be on top of my class. I know it's unlikely, but I'm going to work hard to try and get there. I just figured I would need to be at the top of my class at either of those schools so then it really came down to money and course offerings. I do plan on visiting Emory though before I make a decision.

It's your time and your dime, boss. But what's the appeal of Emory to you? Don't fall into the USNews/fake prestige hype!!!!

[manda94]

One thing to consider is that the differences in the medians between these schools and the t-14 is so small that in any given year a 1L class at Emory can be more competitive than a 1L class at Cornell as the LSAT has been shown to have virtually no correlation to 1L grades among students who score within 5 points of one another. However, you will have to place much better in the class than you would at Cornell.

These are both regional schools, but Emory has some pull in major markets (emphasize the term "some"). You're much likelier to have DC and Chicago firms flying interviewers to Emory than UF, but you're talking about one Emory student getting an offer at a given firm.

I figured Emory wouldn't have too many firms for OCIs that are located in Miami compared to the amount UF would have. There's definitely a lot more UF grads working in Miami than Emory from the research I've gathered. And that's a good point about the medians.

[manda94]

I considered retaking the February LSAT, but my course load is very intense this semester. I've also seen pretty much every single LSAT problem (I used Testmasters prep) and have taken all LSATS from like 2008-now. I've already been exposed to all the information available to me so I don't know how I would even prep. I'm totally fine with my debt at UF. It's a small debt to pay for law school compared to Emory.

Alrighty...again, ease your mind. Choose UF and get ready to get to work. Leave Emory right where it is...

I'm fully prepared to work my ass off to hopefully be on top of my class. I know it's unlikely, but I'm going to work hard to try and get there. I just figured I would need to be at the top of my class at either of those schools so then it really came down to money and course offerings. I do plan on visiting Emory though before I make a decision.

It's your time and your dime, boss. But what's the appeal of Emory to you? Don't fall into the USNews/fake prestige hype!!!!

Honestly? I applied to Emory for jokes not thinking I would get in. I ended up getting in and because of its rank and prestige it really made me stop and think before I accepted UF's offer.

[manda94]

Debt at UF would be around 25-30k. Debt at Emory would be at least 70k (COL there is higher, so my parents wouldn't be able to help out as much). I don't want to practice big law. I don't know for sure what kind of law I want to practice, but products liability, admiralty, and negligence (which I'm assuming falls under torts) really interest me. Emory doesn't have any admiralty law courses, which is kind of a turn off. I got into UM and they didn't offer me money. I plan on practicing in Miami, but UM debt would be huge so I crossed them off my list. I applied to other schools outside Florida, but the one that gave me money is a peer school to UF so it doesn't really make a difference.

I go to school where there is a pretty preeminent admiralty scholar and there are two admiralty courses offered per year, max. It's just not that big of a field. Negligence also isn't a field that you practice in, like you said it's a cause of action in tort.

If you aspire to small firm/local government type work in Florida (and only Florida) then UF is a fine choice with minimal debt.

Admiralty law is a small field, but I'm pretty sure I'd find work for that in Miami. I wouldn't want to specialize in that though. I want to work in a firm, but not a big firm. I interned at a firm over summer that had about 80 attorneys and really enjoyed the environment.

[lavarman84]

I considered retaking the February LSAT, but my course load is very intense this semester. I've also seen pretty much every single LSAT problem (I used Testmasters prep) and have taken all LSATS from like 2008-now. I've already been exposed to all the information available to me so I don't know how I would even prep. I'm totally fine with my debt at UF. It's a small debt to pay for law school compared to Emory.

Alrighty...again, ease your mind. Choose UF and get ready to get to work. Leave Emory right where it is...

I'm fully prepared to work my ass off to hopefully be on top of my class. I know it's unlikely, but I'm going to work hard to try and get there. I just figured I would need to be at the top of my class at either of those schools so then it really came down to money and course offerings. I do plan on visiting Emory though before I make a decision.

It's your time and your dime, boss. But what's the appeal of Emory to you? Don't fall into the USNews/fake prestige hype!!!!

Agreed. In this scenario, UF is a better choice. But I do agree with the others saying retake if OP can get a higher LSAT and a larger scholarship.

[fliptrip]

^^^ You're probably going to get quite a few responses on this, but prestige with respect to law schools is generally a very context-dependent thing. Someone mentioned Cornell earlier. Cornell is supposedly more "prestigious" than UF, but I promise you that you will be committing something like career suicide betting on your Cornell law degree to get your foot in the door in Florida. Within the market you are trying to work, Emory does not have more prestige than UF. The ranks of the jobs you're aiming for are chalk full of UF alums who are more than happy to seek out and hire other UF alums. They are not going to care one whit about your Emory degree.

For my money, there are only 3 truly national and prestigious law schools that you could feel safe in betting to get you into any market where you have ties. For every other school, their placement power/prestige is going to be highly dependent on where you want to try and use the degree.

[manda94]

^^^ You're probably going to get quite a few responses on this, but prestige with respect to law schools is generally a very context-dependent thing. Someone mentioned Cornell earlier. Cornell is supposedly more "prestigious" than UF, but I promise you that you will be committing something like career suicide betting on your Cornell law degree to get your foot in the door in Florida. Within the market you are trying to work, Emory does not have more prestige than UF. The ranks of the jobs you're aiming for are chalk full of UF alums who are more than happy to seek out and hire other UF alums. They are not going to care one whit about your Emory degree.

For my money, there are only 3 truly national and prestigious law schools that you could feel safe in betting to get you into any market where you have ties. For every other school, their placement power/prestige is going to be highly dependent on where you want to try and use the degree.

I slightly disagree with you on Cornell, but I see where you're coming from. I think prestige can be overrated to an extent. I just want to go to a well known/reputable school who's debt will be manageable and has a large alumni network in the city I want to work. Most of the recent law grads in Miami are from FIU, Nova, Barry, and UM. UF is ranked higher than those schools so I know that would help and I believe they have a larger alumni base there (with the exception of UM).

[fliptrip]

To back up my point on Cornell...Miami is the home of Greenberg Traurig, which is the second largest law firm in the country by attorney head count. There are zero Cornell Law School grads working in the Miami office.

Here's some more data on where their lawyers in the Miami office went to school:

Miami-59
UF-23
Harvard-7
UVA (better school than Cornell and closer)-3

I know you don't want big law, and there is some self-selection going on, but this data does strongly reflect just how regional all of this stuff really is...

[manda94]

To back up my point on Cornell...Miami is the home of Greenberg Traurig, which is the second largest law firm in the country by attorney head count. There are zero Cornell Law School grads working in the Miami office.

Here's some more data on where their lawyers in the Miami office went to school:

Miami-59
UF-23
Harvard-7
UVA (better school than Cornell and closer)-3

I know you don't want big law, and there is some self-selection going on, but this data does strongly reflect just how regional all of this stuff really is...

Oh wow thank you for that! I did some research on Holland & Knight's Miami office the other day and I counted around 18 UF grads, 2 Emory grads and quite a few from Columbia, Cornell, and UPenn. There was a lot more FIU, Nova, and Miami grads, which proves your point about it being a regional matter.