Michigan vs UT Forum

[zozo1717]

Hello all - I've finally narrowed down my choices between Michigan and UT (and still vaguely in the picture - Northwestern and GULC).

Here is all the info -
*Schools you are considering: Michigan, UT, Northwestern, Georgetown

*Total COA:
COA after scholarships, savings, COL expenses factored out:
Michigan: ~$77k
UT:~$63k
NU: ~$107k
Georgetown: ~$150k (eek)
COL will be covered by my spouse, obviously money goes further in lower cost markets.

*How will you be financing:
Scholarships, loans and $45k total of my personal savings (don't worry - not even getting close to wiping myself out). My family originally said no help, but they are warming up to providing some assistance, but I'm not factoring that in right now. Thankfully no undergrad debt.

*Where are you from? Ties? Where do you want to be?
Strong ties to DC and the southeast, strong ties to Texas through my spouse. Not 100% sure where I want to be, but leaning towards DC or Texas.

*Career goals:
I want to do IP/Patent law (EE degree + 6 years of industry experience). I envision a stint in biglaw and then ideally a transition to in-house work @ a tech company.

*Stats: 168/3.3 (done with the LSAT!)

I'm really leaning towards Michigan at this point - is it worth the extra 13-15k? I feel like because I'm uncertain exactly what market I want to end up in Michigan may provide more flexibility. Thanks guys and gals!

[BigZuck]

Michigan

I suspect you're underestimating your total debt at graduation by at least 30K though

Eta: But yeah Michigan is worth 15K more than UT for almost any scenario, but especially when you don't know where you want to end up

[zozo1717]

Michigan

I suspect you're underestimating your total debt at graduation by at least 30K though

Eta: But yeah Michigan is worth 15K more than UT for almost any scenario, but especially when you don't know where you want to end up

Thanks -

As for the debt - you're probably right - I used the GT calculator. What usually drives it up (past expected) - tuition increase? extra COL (summer months)? Time between graduation & starting work?

[cron1834]

Michigan

I suspect you're underestimating your total debt at graduation by at least 30K though

Eta: But yeah Michigan is worth 15K more than UT for almost any scenario, but especially when you don't know where you want to end up

Thanks -

As for the debt - you're probably right - I used the GT calculator. What usually drives it up (past expected) - tuition increase? extra COL (summer months)? Time between graduation & starting work?

All of those things, plus interest & fees.

Still, I agree that Mich for ~$80k is defensible given your unclear geographic/career goals. If you were rock-solid on wanting to be a Texas prosecutor or something, obviously it would be a different answer. But Mich makes some sense for you.

[CTT]

I'm biased because of my endless love for Michigan, but if you don't know where you want to end up, I feel like UM is the easy choice. UT probably provides slightly better opportunities for small and midsize firms in Texas and state and local government jobs in TX. The two are probably comfortable if you have TX ties for Texas big law. And Michigan is a better degree for everything else. Easily worth low-five-figures to have a degree from a truly national law school.

Also my experience was that I was able to put about $22,000 of my summer money towards 3L living/tuition. You should expect to pay an increase of $2,500 for 2L and $5,000 for 3L in tuition, plus you have to factor in interest. Obviously if you have a tech background or diversity play, that opens up the 1L summer for $30k plus in added earnings.

[michlaw]

Michigan.

They have been very responsive to the changes in the law school world and the new employment realities. As pleasant as law school gets for any school that still employs a strictly enforced grading curve. Great facilities and Ann Arbor is a nice town. Enjoy. Ribbit.

[zozo1717]

I'm biased because of my endless love for Michigan, but if you don't know where you want to end up, I feel like UM is the easy choice. UT probably provides slightly better opportunities for small and midsize firms in Texas and state and local government jobs in TX. The two are probably comfortable if you have TX ties for Texas big law. And Michigan is a better degree for everything else. Easily worth low-five-figures to have a degree from a truly national law school.

Also my experience was that I was able to put about $22,000 of my summer money towards 3L living/tuition. You should expect to pay an increase of $2,500 for 2L and $5,000 for 3L in tuition, plus you have to factor in interest. Obviously if you have a tech background or diversity play, that opens up the 1L summer for $30k plus in added earnings.

Michigan.

They have been very responsive to the changes in the law school world and the new employment realities. As pleasant as law school gets for any school that still employs a strictly enforced grading curve. Great facilities and Ann Arbor is a nice town. Enjoy. Ribbit.

Thanks for the feedback. If you couldn't tell - definitely leaning towards Michigan