BU vs NUSL Forum

[breemadison5]

I want to work in Boston someday, and as of right now I have a full-ride to NUSL (Northeastern) and a half scholarship to BU. I'm torn, because BU is clearly incredible (employment stats, job prospects, rank, etc.), but it's still a lot of debt I'd be getting into. I want to make sure if I go with BU that I'm making the right choice, and in my mind, it's not the right choice if NUSL could get me to a similar position for free. I'm constantly wavering between the two. Can anyone here speak to their experience at these schools? Their opinion on whether BU is worth the debt? Or if I should run into the arms of NUSL's co-ops? Thanks in advance!

[totesTheGoat]

BU all the way. Northeastern is a coin-flip's chance of having a legal job when you graduate, and even for "free" (which is never actually free after cost of living) it isn't worth the 3 years of your life when you have a half scholarship with BU. See if you can negotiate them up any more than half, but it's no contest in my mind.

[marcodelbarco]

hey man, I'm in the same boat. I'm actually leaning Northeastern coming from out of state and being the first member of my family to go to college, let alone grad school, the debt is just way to daunting for me. I'll be up there next week to check both schools out before I make a final decision. Best of Luck!

[metblvette]

BU, 100%. What's the point of saving on debt if your chances of getting a job are abysmal?

[ouais_ouais]

I was initially debating this too. Full ride at NUSL and only 20k per year at BU. I decided NUSL but I also want to work as a PD. I do know that if you want government work in Boston there isn't much of a difference. If you're hoping to get Big Law though, BU is better, though from what I've heard you still have to be top 10% of the class.

[Dr. Nefario]

If you're hoping to get Big Law though, BU is better, though from what I've heard you still have to be top 10% of the class.

This is false, Biglaw is about 35% at BU. As for overall employment data NUSL falls 20 points shy of BU. NUSL is fine if you're from New England, have the ties, the scholly, and the plan to stay in New England, but if you want the chance to go back home or don't have the ties in the legal profession in NE, BU has to be a better fit.

TCR would be try and get more money, but if it's down to these two outcomes BU seems to be a much better choice if you aren't a special snowflake who's gonna be the top of their class at NUSL

[Zero99]

If you're hoping to get Big Law though, BU is better, though from what I've heard you still have to be top 10% of the class.

This is false, Biglaw is about 35% at BU. As for overall employment data NUSL falls 20 points shy of BU. NUSL is fine if you're from New England, have the ties, the scholly, and the plan to stay in New England, but if you want the chance to go back home or don't have the ties in the legal profession in NE, BU has to be a better fit.

TCR would be try and get more money, but if it's down to these two outcomes BU seems to be a much better choice if you aren't a special snowflake who's gonna be the top of their class at NUSL

Agree with this, except for BU giving you the ability to go back home. Both are regional schools. BU's region extends a bit further due to biglaw. BU with half isn't a great place to be, but not life-ruining either. Still, unless you can live at home or something, you're looking at something north of 100k at graduation. Can you retake?

[Dr. Nefario]

If you're hoping to get Big Law though, BU is better, though from what I've heard you still have to be top 10% of the class.

This is false, Biglaw is about 35% at BU. As for overall employment data NUSL falls 20 points shy of BU. NUSL is fine if you're from New England, have the ties, the scholly, and the plan to stay in New England, but if you want the chance to go back home or don't have the ties in the legal profession in NE, BU has to be a better fit.

TCR would be try and get more money, but if it's down to these two outcomes BU seems to be a much better choice if you aren't a special snowflake who's gonna be the top of their class at NUSL

Agree with this, except for BU giving you the ability to go back home. Both are regional schools. BU's region extends a bit further due to biglaw. BU with half isn't a great place to be, but not life-ruining either. Still, unless you can live at home or something, you're looking at something north of 100k at graduation. Can you retake?

Reason I said this is purely from experience. Granted, you're right, I should qualify it. If you want to go back to another major legal market (i.e. chicago, DC, Miami, LA, etc.), it won't be as easy as a school with more reach, but smaller markets I have not seen anyone have trouble going back home. And purely comparatively, it seems like it should easier to go back home from BU than NUSL b/c BU has grades that can at least make it easier to compare you to other grads.