Top Law Schools

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Neither.

For what it's worth, I have essentially the same options and I'm almost certainly going to pick Columbia.

Vanderbilt does have a higher clerkship rate than Columbia. I suspect it's due to self-selection of top Columbia students into firms, but the numbers do say that. But I would say that the clerkship rate isn't too important for you because 1) it's so low (<10%) anyways, and 2) your plan was to work in biglaw eventually. Columbia's biglaw placement is obviously vastly superior, and that kind of security is something that I value.

It boils down to $330k COA at Columbia and ~$200k COA at Vanderbilt. Even without the Columbia offer, I don't think I'd be comfortable taking out $200k for Vanderbilt to begin with. At least for Columbia, you're essentially buying a biglaw guarantee. That mitigation of risk is worth a lot imo.

01panm wrote:For what it's worth, I have essentially the same options and I'm almost certainly going to pick Columbia.

Vanderbilt does have a higher clerkship rate than Columbia. I suspect it's due to self-selection of top Columbia students into firms, but the numbers do say that. But I would say that the clerkship rate isn't too important for you because 1) it's so low (<10%) anyways, and 2) your plan was to work in biglaw eventually. Columbia's biglaw placement is obviously vastly superior, and that kind of security is something that I value.

It boils down to $330k COA at Columbia and ~$200k COA at Vanderbilt. Even without the Columbia offer, I don't think I'd be comfortable taking out $200k for Vanderbilt to begin with. At least for Columbia, you're essentially buying a biglaw guarantee. That mitigation of risk is worth a lot imo.

No this is bad. Don't mortgage your future for big law. I know there is a zero chance you listen, but I'm putting it out there.

Neither is a great option financially, but between the two I'd pick CLS.

Neither is a great option financially, but between the two I'd pick Vanderbilt.

Neither is a great option financially, but between the two I'd pick death.

Your goals and options don't seem exactly coherent. You want to clerk, go into Biglaw, and end up doing personal injury and product liability? This can be done at Biglaw firms, but still seems weird to me.

Regardless, none of that debt is worthwhile to me. Find a way to cut down those costs before you go to any law school.

Anything in between? Cornell? UTAustin? Neither Columbia nor Vanderbilt is worth 200,000+ a debt load.

0Ls, please stop focusing on clerkship goals. No matter where you go, you need to place very well in your class to get a clerkship. The only difference is that the GPA cutoffs get slightly lower as you get higher in the rankings.

You can't plan on getting a good clerkship from anywhere, and you certainly shouldn't be selecting a school based on a one-year temporary gig.

malibustacy wrote:Anything in between? Cornell? UTAustin? Neither Columbia nor Vanderbilt is worth 200,000+ a debt load.

UT was my first choice, but it's been radio silence from them. I think I'm headed for a WL/rejection. I was also accepted to Cornell, but I haven't received scholarship info from them yet.

01panm wrote:For what it's worth, I have essentially the same options and I'm almost certainly going to pick Columbia.

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Decision twin! Going to pm you.

I would select CLS or don't go. You can virtually guarantee yourself biglaw at CLS while there are no guarantees with Vandy. Debt is gonna be high and suck either way in your situation. Vandy is only a good deal if it leaves you under 100k in debt.

gizmo1024 wrote:

malibustacy wrote:Anything in between? Cornell? UTAustin? Neither Columbia nor Vanderbilt is worth 200,000+ a debt load.

UT was my first choice, but it's been radio silence from them. I think I'm headed for a WL/rejection. I was also accepted to Cornell, but I haven't received scholarship info from them yet.

Wait and see what UT does and if Cornell gives you any money before making any decisions