Top Law Schools

-The schools you are considering: UVA (105k) or Northwestern (180k)
-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each: UVA = ~130k Northwestern = ~80k (possible that this is an overestimate of COL in Chicago, and maybe Charlottesville, but to be on the safe side)
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings : savings, loans, parental assistance (it's complicated but sparknotes version: parents will cover my living expenses but it will be a loan not a gift, I would have to take out a loan to cover the remainder of UVA's tuition not covered by scholarship)
-Where you are from and other places where you have significant ties (if any): From: Midwest/Texas, currently live and work in Texas. Some ties to DC, not sure they amount to 'significant.'
- Where you want to work: Undecided, but first choice would likely be DC, then a Midwest market, or possibly Texas. At this point, I'm open to almost any market but NYC. Would like a degree that leaves a lot of markets open.
-Your general career goals: Clerkship/Big Law
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers: 169/3.98
-How many times you have taken the LSAT: two painful times, retake is off the table
- Miscellaneous, probably irrelevant, thoughts: Fell in love with UVA when I visited, the people, the campus, Charlottesville, etc. etc. Visiting NU this weekend so will probably have a better idea then, but the thought of law school-ing in Chicago is a little overwhelming to me (also, winter)

Thanks in advance for any and all input, unless you tell me to retake the LSAT, then not thanks

Let me begin by saying that with your GPA, you are a mere 2-3 LSAT points away from the schools that have true national reach or getting a full ride at the two schools that you're currently considering. I (and most of the other people on this forum) know how painful it is to retake the LSAT. But, that effort could be worth $100,000 in savings on COA and could get you the geographic flexibility that you want.

With that said, you do have some good options here. I think that UVA is the winner, given your preference for working in DC and your positive trip to Charlottesville (which is amazing). I also question whether or not NU would be a good choice based on your aversion to Chicago. Also, did you apply to UT? I imagine your COA would be lower with in-state tuition. Plus, UT owns the Texas legal employment market.

TLDR; UVA as it stands - HYS and full rides just a few LSAT points away.

Ridonkulous1 wrote:Let me begin by saying that with your GPA, you are a mere 2-3 LSAT points away from the schools that have true national reach or getting a full ride at the two schools that you're currently considering. I (and most of the other people on this forum) know how painful it is to retake the LSAT. But, that effort could be worth $100,000 in savings on COA and could get you the geographic flexibility that you want.

With that said, you do have some good options here. I think that UVA is the winner, given your preference for working in DC and your positive trip to Charlottesville (which is amazing). I also question whether or not NU would be a good choice based on your aversion to Chicago. Also, did you apply to UT? I imagine your COA would be lower with in-state tuition. Plus, UT owns the Texas legal employment market.

TLDR; UVA as it stands - HYS and full rides just a few LSAT points away.

Thanks so much for your input! I did apply to UT but their scholarship offer was definitely underwhelming and after visiting a couple of times, I just couldn't convince myself that it was the right fit.

Side note - I love Chicago and have visited multiple times, just have never really considered living there and feel like the overall environment would be in stark contrast to C'ville, which I loved. There would be some definite perks of Chicago though, obviously.

I think your COA estimates are off, and even if they weren't I'm not sure UVA is worth 50k more than NU if you're thinking about biglaw and working in the midwest (even if DC is your first choice).

Don't take loans from your parents. If they want to gift you the money, whatever, but consider what happens if your circumstances/goals change. You might be kicking yourself for not taking federal loans, as you would be ineligible for programs like PSLF.

Kinky John wrote:I think your COA estimates are off, and even if they weren't I'm not sure UVA is worth 50k more than NU if you're thinking about biglaw and working in the midwest (even if DC is your first choice).

Don't take loans from your parents. If they want to gift you the money, whatever, but consider what happens if your circumstances/goals change. You might be kicking yourself for not taking federal loans, as you would be ineligible for programs like PSLF.

COA estimates off in what manner? I totally get your loan comment, but it's a fair amount more nuanced than what I explained and I have 0.00 interest in PI, but I do understand that things change.

And yes I'm not 100% convinced that UVA is worth it either, hence the dilemma...

22lisag wrote: COA estimates off in what manner? I totally get your loan comment, but it's a fair amount more nuanced than what I explained and I have 0.00 interest in PI, but I do understand that things change.

And yes I'm not 100% convinced that UVA is worth it either, hence the dilemma...

UVA (16-17):
Nonresident
Tuition and Fees:$59,300
Living Expenses (details below): $16,808
Health Insurance (amount expected to change): $2,874
Books and Supplies: $1,800
Loan fees: $1,950
Total: $82,732


NU (15-16):
Tuition: $58,098
Room and Board: $14,040
Books: $1,418
Personal:$2,610
Transportation: $1,584
Health Insurance: $3,692
Loan Fees: $1,854
Total: $83,296

Kinky John wrote:

22lisag wrote: COA estimates off in what manner? I totally get your loan comment, but it's a fair amount more nuanced than what I explained and I have 0.00 interest in PI, but I do understand that things change.

And yes I'm not 100% convinced that UVA is worth it either, hence the dilemma...

UVA (16-17):
Nonresident
Tuition and Fees:$59,300
Living Expenses (details below): $16,808
Health Insurance (amount expected to change): $2,874
Books and Supplies: $1,800
Loan fees: $1,950
Total: $82,732


NU (15-16):
Tuition: $58,098
Room and Board: $14,040
Books: $1,418
Personal:$2,610
Transportation: $1,584
Health Insurance: $3,692
Loan Fees: $1,854
Total: $83,296

This just made me laugh. Book inflation in C'Ville.

On a serious note, you can definitely get by with less than that at UVA (living expenses), but a $50K difference in price is a pretty sizable one. Unless you end up completely hating NU's campus or detest Chicago, I would choose the less expensive option.

UVAIce wrote:

Kinky John wrote:

22lisag wrote: COA estimates off in what manner? I totally get your loan comment, but it's a fair amount more nuanced than what I explained and I have 0.00 interest in PI, but I do understand that things change.

And yes I'm not 100% convinced that UVA is worth it either, hence the dilemma...

UVA (16-17):
Nonresident
Tuition and Fees:$59,300
Living Expenses (details below): $16,808
Health Insurance (amount expected to change): $2,874
Books and Supplies: $1,800
Loan fees: $1,950
Total: $82,732


NU (15-16):
Tuition: $58,098
Room and Board: $14,040
Books: $1,418
Personal:$2,610
Transportation: $1,584
Health Insurance: $3,692
Loan Fees: $1,854
Total: $83,296

This just made me laugh. Book inflation in C'Ville.

On a serious note, you can definitely get by with less than that at UVA (living expenses), but a $50K difference in price is a pretty sizable one. Unless you end up completely hating NU's campus or detest Chicago, I would choose the less expensive option.

Ya'll must have some very nice books in C'ville!

But yes, I am trying to remind myself how big of a chunk of money that is. I really loved UVA but it just seems hard to justify the cost difference for essentially peer schools (assuming I don't hate NU when I visit, of course).

I voted for UVA because your first preference is DC, and UVA places way more grads in DC than NU.

NU for $80k is a totally solid outcome. Retake might make it even better, but you're in a good spot at NU with that price if you NEED to go this year.

Re-take.

UVa places well in DC and Texas (idk what the numbers are for Texas but everyone who I know wanted Texas got it). With that price difference though, it is probably smart to go to Northwestern. They are basically peer schools.

Whoever referred to Northwestern and UVa as not national schools though = LOL

I don't understand how the COA here are only 50k apart but the scholarships are 75k apart. Sticker at each is practically identical.