Top Law Schools

Hi All,

I'm in at Notre Dame with $32K/year, deposited and ready to go... Now Columbia recently offered me acceptance, my dream school, however I'm really struggling with taking on that much debt. I will be taking out loans to cover the costs at both schools, my family doesn't have the finances to support me.

Career goals- I've been living in D.C. for the last year and would want to go into politics, civil rights law eventually; immediate goals are federal clerkships and litigation. ND competes with Columbia on federal clerkships placements, with 37 and 23 from the 2013-2015 classes respectively.

Obviously Columbia has the prestige, but ND does have an excellent alumni network with reach to DC and NYC, not as good as Columbia though...

Most threads I've read say that no school is worth sticker debt, but I just don't know what to do. I fear if I choose Columbia I will be stuck in "Golden Handcuffs" of sorts and be forced to do BigLaw to pay off the huge amount of debt.

Columbia - Total COA = $256,926
Notre Dame - Total COA = $120,966
** The cost of living at ND is probably much less than what is listed on the 509 report as mentioned to me by a financial aid officer; Also I am interested in taking an RA position my 2L year which would give me free housing, living stipend, and tuition credit, further cutting costs**

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

cphtexas wrote:Hi All,

I'm in at Notre Dame with $32K/year, deposited and ready to go... Now Columbia recently offered me acceptance, my dream school, however I'm really struggling with taking on that much debt. I will be taking out loans to cover the costs at both schools, my family doesn't have the finances to support me.

Career goals- I've been living in D.C. for the last year and would want to go into politics, civil rights law eventually; immediate goals are federal clerkships and litigation. ND competes with Columbia on federal clerkships placements, with 37 and 23 from the 2013-2015 classes respectively.

Obviously Columbia has the prestige, but ND does have an excellent alumni network with reach to DC and NYC, not as good as Columbia though...

Most threads I've read say that no school is worth sticker debt, but I just don't know what to do. I fear if I choose Columbia I will be stuck in "Golden Handcuffs" of sorts and be forced to do BigLaw to pay off the huge amount of debt.

Columbia - Total COA = $256,926
Notre Dame - Total COA = $120,966
** The cost of living at ND is probably much less than what is listed on the 509 report as mentioned to me by a financial aid officer; Also I am interested in taking an RA position my 2L year which would give me free housing, living stipend, and tuition credit, further cutting costs**

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

What are your numbers? If you have the numbers to get into CLS off the waitlist, I would retake and reapply and try to get some money from CLS, or at the very least $$ at UVA.

ndirish2010 wrote:

cphtexas wrote:Hi All,

I'm in at Notre Dame with $32K/year, deposited and ready to go... Now Columbia recently offered me acceptance, my dream school, however I'm really struggling with taking on that much debt. I will be taking out loans to cover the costs at both schools, my family doesn't have the finances to support me.

Career goals- I've been living in D.C. for the last year and would want to go into politics, civil rights law eventually; immediate goals are federal clerkships and litigation. ND competes with Columbia on federal clerkships placements, with 37 and 23 from the 2013-2015 classes respectively.

Obviously Columbia has the prestige, but ND does have an excellent alumni network with reach to DC and NYC, not as good as Columbia though...

Most threads I've read say that no school is worth sticker debt, but I just don't know what to do. I fear if I choose Columbia I will be stuck in "Golden Handcuffs" of sorts and be forced to do BigLaw to pay off the huge amount of debt.

Columbia - Total COA = $256,926
Notre Dame - Total COA = $120,966
** The cost of living at ND is probably much less than what is listed on the 509 report as mentioned to me by a financial aid officer; Also I am interested in taking an RA position my 2L year which would give me free housing, living stipend, and tuition credit, further cutting costs**

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

What are your numbers? If you have the numbers to get into CLS off the waitlist, I would retake and reapply and try to get some money from CLS, or at the very least $$ at UVA.

I've already taken the LSAT three times and was taken off the WL from UVA recently - my numbers are surprising for Columbia, 165/3.7.

cphtexas wrote:

ndirish2010 wrote:

cphtexas wrote:Hi All,

I'm in at Notre Dame with $32K/year, deposited and ready to go... Now Columbia recently offered me acceptance, my dream school, however I'm really struggling with taking on that much debt. I will be taking out loans to cover the costs at both schools, my family doesn't have the finances to support me.

Career goals- I've been living in D.C. for the last year and would want to go into politics, civil rights law eventually; immediate goals are federal clerkships and litigation. ND competes with Columbia on federal clerkships placements, with 37 and 23 from the 2013-2015 classes respectively.

Obviously Columbia has the prestige, but ND does have an excellent alumni network with reach to DC and NYC, not as good as Columbia though...

Most threads I've read say that no school is worth sticker debt, but I just don't know what to do. I fear if I choose Columbia I will be stuck in "Golden Handcuffs" of sorts and be forced to do BigLaw to pay off the huge amount of debt.

Columbia - Total COA = $256,926
Notre Dame - Total COA = $120,966
** The cost of living at ND is probably much less than what is listed on the 509 report as mentioned to me by a financial aid officer; Also I am interested in taking an RA position my 2L year which would give me free housing, living stipend, and tuition credit, further cutting costs**

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

What are your numbers? If you have the numbers to get into CLS off the waitlist, I would retake and reapply and try to get some money from CLS, or at the very least $$ at UVA.

I've already taken the LSAT three times and was taken off the WL from UVA recently - my numbers are surprising for Columbia, 165/3.7.

Hmmm, if that's the case, you might actually not benefit from retaking because it might be a harder application environment next year anyway. It's possible that a couple of points wouldn't get you into CLS with money anyway.

I might take ND, in your situation, but be prepared to readjust your goals. Feel free to PM me, I'm an NDLS alum.

Columbia at sticker is indefensible
If you add "retake and reapply" that will win

When it comes to Columbia, you are talking about more than prestige. The impacts of the debt would cease soon enough after you work hard and land a fantastic job.

cphtexas wrote:
Obviously Columbia has the prestige, but ND does have an excellent alumni network with reach to DC and NYC, not as good as Columbia though...

I would not go to ND with the goal of obtaining NYC and especially DC. It's not just the prestige, Columbia has far better mobility and employment figures.

PresTTTigious wrote:

cphtexas wrote:
Obviously Columbia has the prestige, but ND does have an excellent alumni network with reach to DC and NYC, not as good as Columbia though...

I would not go to ND with the goal of obtaining NYC and especially DC. It's not just the prestige, Columbia has far better mobility and employment figures.

I couldn't agree more, a 94% spread against a 74% employment statistic is big

dondondondon wrote:

PresTTTigious wrote:

cphtexas wrote:
Obviously Columbia has the prestige, but ND does have an excellent alumni network with reach to DC and NYC, not as good as Columbia though...

I would not go to ND with the goal of obtaining NYC and especially DC. It's not just the prestige, Columbia has far better mobility and employment figures.

I couldn't agree more, a 94% spread against a 74% employment statistic is big

Current NDLS 2L, this is probably solid Advice if you're NYC/DC or bust. The tip top of the class and people with prior DC/gov work experience seem to at least have a shot at DC--but its a small one. NYC is doable if you want biglaw, but only if you have the grades.

bostonbred wrote:When it comes to Columbia, you are talking about more than prestige. The impacts of the debt would cease soon enough after you work hard and land a fantastic job.

lol

cphtexas wrote:Hi All,

I'm in at Notre Dame with $32K/year, deposited and ready to go... Now Columbia recently offered me acceptance, my dream school, however I'm really struggling with taking on that much debt. I will be taking out loans to cover the costs at both schools, my family doesn't have the finances to support me.

Career goals- I've been living in D.C. for the last year and would want to go into politics, civil rights law eventually; immediate goals are federal clerkships and litigation. ND competes with Columbia on federal clerkships placements, with 37 and 23 from the 2013-2015 classes respectively.

Obviously Columbia has the prestige, but ND does have an excellent alumni network with reach to DC and NYC, not as good as Columbia though...

Most threads I've read say that no school is worth sticker debt, but I just don't know what to do. I fear if I choose Columbia I will be stuck in "Golden Handcuffs" of sorts and be forced to do BigLaw to pay off the huge amount of debt.

Columbia - Total COA = $256,926
Notre Dame - Total COA = $120,966
** The cost of living at ND is probably much less than what is listed on the 509 report as mentioned to me by a financial aid officer; Also I am interested in taking an RA position my 2L year which would give me free housing, living stipend, and tuition credit, further cutting costs**

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

how long did Columbia give you to accept?

if you want to go to law school, columbia. congratulations on an acceptance with that LSAT.

cphtexas wrote:Hi All,

I'm in at Notre Dame with $32K/year, deposited and ready to go... Now Columbia recently offered me acceptance, my dream school, however I'm really struggling with taking on that much debt. I will be taking out loans to cover the costs at both schools, my family doesn't have the finances to support me.

Career goals- I've been living in D.C. for the last year and would want to go into politics, civil rights law eventually; immediate goals are federal clerkships and litigation. ND competes with Columbia on federal clerkships placements, with 37 and 23 from the 2013-2015 classes respectively.

Obviously Columbia has the prestige, but ND does have an excellent alumni network with reach to DC and NYC, not as good as Columbia though...

Most threads I've read say that no school is worth sticker debt, but I just don't know what to do. I fear if I choose Columbia I will be stuck in "Golden Handcuffs" of sorts and be forced to do BigLaw to pay off the huge amount of debt.

Columbia - Total COA = $256,926
Notre Dame - Total COA = $120,966
** The cost of living at ND is probably much less than what is listed on the 509 report as mentioned to me by a financial aid officer; Also I am interested in taking an RA position my 2L year which would give me free housing, living stipend, and tuition credit, further cutting costs**

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

tough choice, but would have to say Columbia based on opportunities. Good luck to you! What did you decide?

cphtexas wrote:Hi All,

I'm in at Notre Dame with $32K/year, deposited and ready to go... Now Columbia recently offered me acceptance, my dream school, however I'm really struggling with taking on that much debt. I will be taking out loans to cover the costs at both schools, my family doesn't have the finances to support me.

Career goals- I've been living in D.C. for the last year and would want to go into politics, civil rights law eventually; immediate goals are federal clerkships and litigation. ND competes with Columbia on federal clerkships placements, with 37 and 23 from the 2013-2015 classes respectively.

Obviously Columbia has the prestige, but ND does have an excellent alumni network with reach to DC and NYC, not as good as Columbia though...

Most threads I've read say that no school is worth sticker debt, but I just don't know what to do. I fear if I choose Columbia I will be stuck in "Golden Handcuffs" of sorts and be forced to do BigLaw to pay off the huge amount of debt.

Columbia - Total COA = $256,926
Notre Dame - Total COA = $120,966
** The cost of living at ND is probably much less than what is listed on the 509 report as mentioned to me by a financial aid officer; Also I am interested in taking an RA position my 2L year which would give me free housing, living stipend, and tuition credit, further cutting costs**

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

That's tough. I agree with BagelBoy, if it's law school I'd go Columbia. Either you get BigLaw, which is extremely likely at Columbia, and you can make up that 130k difference in 3 years or so, or you go straight to civil rights work and take from Columbia's generous LRAP. Ironically I think it's less risky to go to Columbia.