W&L v. UIUC Forum

[lawlaw1000]

Not sure which school to pick so a little input would be appreciated. COA at both schools is the same-90k. I have about 25k in savings to help and no current debt. I have no ties to either state, but my immediate family is moving to Virginia. I currently work on the other side of the country, so I am unfortunately unable to visit either school. I would prefer to live in Virginia and I think I would be genuinely happier at W&L(small town does not bother me at all), but UIUC has better biglaw placement. Speaking of which, I am not entirely sure of what I'd like to do post law school. Biglaw is definitely on my radar and I would like to have the option to do it if possible, but I'll figure it out as as I go. Living in Chicago is also not appealing to me, but if its best for my career I guess I could suffer through it. I'm dying for this years employment data...

Thanks for the help.

[Rigo]

W&L. All your geographic preferences should automatically disqualify UIUC from consideration.

[cavalier1138]

If you want to work in Virginia, I'm not sure what the conflict is...

[gaddockteeg]

I've heard really good things from co-workers about UIUC FWIW. Job placement is better than the number indicate, people seem pleased that they went for the most part, etc.

edit: nevermind. I saw you want to live in VA. go to W&L.

[lawlaw1000]

Ok I think I may have been a bit to harsh on Chicago in my OP so let me elaborate a bit more. I did my undergrad in a city about the same size of Urban-Champaign so the undergrad location is not a downside or unreasonable to me. It's really only Chicago that I am opposed to, but it's not THAT strong opposition. I can see myself in the city, but I'm a bit of an outdoorsy/hiking type, so I think Virginia would fit my lifestyle more. Is there any way I could figure out where the people from W&L are doing biglaw/midlaw? On LST it says that 27% stay in Virginia, 11% go to DC, 10% to NY and 5% to Cali/Delaware. I am certainly open to Virginia/DC/Cali, but NYC/Delaware is a huge no for me. NYC is the last place I want to be. If those 10% going to NY are big law, I would most likely I would have to reconsider.

[snowball2]

Ok I think I may have been a bit to harsh on Chicago in my OP so let me elaborate a bit more. I did my undergrad in a city about the same size of Urban-Champaign so the undergrad location is not a downside or unreasonable to me. It's really only Chicago that I am opposed to, but it's not THAT strong opposition. I can see myself in the city, but I'm a bit of an outdoorsy/hiking type, so I think Virginia would fit my lifestyle more. Is there any way I could figure out where the people from W&L are doing biglaw/midlaw? On LST it says that 27% stay in Virginia, 11% go to DC, 10% to NY and 5% to Cali/Delaware. I am certainly open to Virginia/DC/Cali, but NYC/Delaware is a huge no for me. NYC is the last place I want to be. If those 10% going to NY are big law, I would most likely I would have to reconsider.

There's a whole lot of appeal to Chicago for outdoorsy/hiking types. Perhaps a bit limited within city limits but you can drive an hour in nearly any direction and find something to do.

[cavalier1138]

Ok I think I may have been a bit to harsh on Chicago in my OP so let me elaborate a bit more. I did my undergrad in a city about the same size of Urban-Champaign so the undergrad location is not a downside or unreasonable to me. It's really only Chicago that I am opposed to, but it's not THAT strong opposition. I can see myself in the city, but I'm a bit of an outdoorsy/hiking type, so I think Virginia would fit my lifestyle more. Is there any way I could figure out where the people from W&L are doing biglaw/midlaw? On LST it says that 27% stay in Virginia, 11% go to DC, 10% to NY and 5% to Cali/Delaware. I am certainly open to Virginia/DC/Cali, but NYC/Delaware is a huge no for me. NYC is the last place I want to be. If those 10% going to NY are big law, I would most likely I would have to reconsider.

People from W&L who are going to places like California probably have ties to the area.

But if you want to work biglaw (somehow I missed this in my first read-through), neither of these schools are particularly great options. More importantly, there's no such thing as a big law firm in the middle of a small town. If you want biglaw, you're going to have to resign yourself to living in a major metropolitan area. That doesn't mean you have to prepare to live in NYC, but if even Wilmington or Chicago seem overwhelming to you, you're really limiting your options.

[BigZuck]

I'd guess a good chunk of people who do big law from W&L do it in NYC. But don't go to that school if your goal is anything other than a modest job in VA.

[trebekismyhero]

Ok I think I may have been a bit to harsh on Chicago in my OP so let me elaborate a bit more. I did my undergrad in a city about the same size of Urban-Champaign so the undergrad location is not a downside or unreasonable to me. It's really only Chicago that I am opposed to, but it's not THAT strong opposition. I can see myself in the city, but I'm a bit of an outdoorsy/hiking type, so I think Virginia would fit my lifestyle more. Is there any way I could figure out where the people from W&L are doing biglaw/midlaw? On LST it says that 27% stay in Virginia, 11% go to DC, 10% to NY and 5% to Cali/Delaware. I am certainly open to Virginia/DC/Cali, but NYC/Delaware is a huge no for me. NYC is the last place I want to be. If those 10% going to NY are big law, I would most likely I would have to reconsider.

There's a whole lot of appeal to Chicago for outdoorsy/hiking types. Perhaps a bit limited within city limits but you can drive an hour in nearly any direction and find something to do.

Yeah, I go around the Lake or Grant/Lincoln Parks all the time. I do miss being able to hike easily though.

But if you don't want to end up in Chicago I wouldn't go to UIUC. A good chunk end up in StL, but the easiest place to get a gig from UIUC is Chicago.

As BigZuck said you shouldn't go to either of the schools expecting big law and especially if Chicago, Delaware and NYC are out for you.