Georgetown vs UVA vs UF/FSU Forum

[Jags_904]

Longtime lurker here looking for some advice. Ideally I want to work for a large (relatively speaking) firm in Florida.
3.1 UGPA and 171 LSAT, 5 years work experience.

Based on scholarships and savings, this is the amount of debt I would have at graduation according to Law School Transparency.

Georgetown: $70k
UVA: $132k
UF/FSU: $0 financed.

I need to let UF know by April 1, otherwise I would hold off on asking for advice until hearing back from Georgetown.

[Jags_904]

I should also say I want to clerk before working for a firm, sorry forgot to mention that.

[pancakes3]

even with florida biglaw in mind, it's UVa but it's a tough row to hoe no matter what school if you're gunning for clerking

[rwhyAn]

Personally, I would choose UF at no debt. It's the best school in the state, and you want to remain in FL. I don't think GULC or UVA make sense given your goals and prospective debt. If you wanted to work in DC, they would make more sense. But in Florida, UF is king.

[stretchedtoothin]

Go to UVA. If you don't break top 10% at UF you'll likely not sniff any of the coveted big firm jobs, and clerking at the federal level will be out of the question. Median students pick up FL biglaw jobs all the time from UVA et al

[mynameismyname]

You guys are crazy... This is a slam dunk University of Florida play. You may have to hustle like hell but with your regional goals a regional school for free is easily the winner...

[Jags_904]

Dang, not a whole lot of consensus. Was hoping others from a neutral standpoint would all generally go one way or the other. The 10% big law and only 1% clerkship rate at UF is the only reason I am even considering this.

Also not sure a $105k big law salary in Florida would pay off the debt from UVA that fast.

[pancakes3]

1) so you don't *really* want to clerk?
2) banking on 11% chances is no way to live your life
3) 132k is a world away from 250k.

[baal hadad]

If u go to UF your shot at clerking/biglaw will be slim

UVA at $135k debt is an okay deal but paying off $135k on secondary (tertiary?) market salary will be tough

Reevaluate career goals (aka go to UF) or have a miserable 10-25 yrs take your pick

[Jags_904]

1) so you don't *really* want to clerk?
2) banking on 11% chances is no way to live your life
3) 132k is a world away from 250k.

Sorry, I should have made more sense in my third post. The fact that there is only an 11% chance of landing big law/clerking out of UF is why I am considering UVA. I am debt averse and $132k is a lot for the geographic locations I want to work in.

[jepper]

UF if you want to work in Florida. UVA if you want to work in another market that pays big market rates.

[Jags_904]

Anyone mind looking over some budget spreadsheets I put together for expected outcomes from UVA and UF and providing your input? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

[Biglaw1990]

Anyone mind looking over some budget spreadsheets I put together for expected outcomes from UVA and UF and providing your input? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Sure. PM me.

[DCESQ]

Go to UVA and kill it. Clerk if you want or go for BL in a big city for a couple years to pay down some debt (going to be harder if you end up in NYC) then try to lateral to FL. Or don't go at all, that's always a solid option. (I have no idea how hard it is to lateral to FL so this might be a terrible idea, it's just another option to consider).

[Tls2016]

I thought biglaw in Florida was so small it wasn't a realistic goal out of school?

[Jags_904]

So the numbers have changed pretty significantly. I was offered a scholarship from Georgetown which now brings the amount I would need to finance down to around $70,000 for them. Am I crazy to think this is hands down the best bet now? Have to make my decision tomorrow.

[pancakes3]

I'd still go UVa because the primary reason T14 is in play in the first place is for clerkships.

Edit: maybe you can use Mich/GUlC's offers to negotiate?

[lavarman84]

I'm curently a student at UF Law. I'll be clerking after I graduate and I got a FL biglaw SA.(I'm also from the 904)

If the debt doesn't scare you, choose Virginia. You'll have a far better shot at clerking. Try to negotiate with Virginia for a better scholarship.

As for Florida biglaw, ignore the poster who said UVA median students get it easily. It's not easy to get FL biglaw. But the same is true at UF. You'll have to be a top student at UF to clerk and get biglaw. You're taking on far more risk by choosing UF.

I'm assuming that you have ties. That will help you with FL biglaw but it's no guarantee. I think your best shot will be going to Virginia, doing well, and trying to clerk for a federal court in Florida. If you can get a federal D. Ct. in Florida after Virginia, you'll have a very real shot at FL biglaw. Obviously, clerking is competitive and not easy to get so you'll still have to do well at UVA. You're just taking a lot less risk in terms of job stats by going to UVA.

However, I understand being debt averse.(because I am too) So if you truly are worried about the debt and want to go somewhere on a full ride, UF is not a bad option. Just come in with your eyes open.(knowing that it'll be difficult to get a federal clerkship and a biglaw job here) I really like the teachers and professors at UF law so I don't think you'll end up hating it here.

But again, based on your goals, UVA is your best option if you can deal with the debt.