Columbia for New York City Big Law? Forum

[jorgeapaez]

Hello everyone.
I've been preparing to take the LSAT.
RIght now at 146 but working my way up, my target score on practice tests before I let myself take the LSAT is 175.
My question is this.
I wanna get into big law in New York, and I know according to rankings the ttop 2 Business Law programs are at Harvard and Columbia. (US News rankings as of this year.)
I've heard though that across all law firms, hiring teams give preference to those closest to them.
First of all is this true and second of all, in that case, since I want to work in New York would it be better for me to go to Columbia Law instead of Harvard?

Thanks,

Jorge

[dabigchina]

If you get into both, go to Harvard unless Columbia gives you enough money for it to be a lot cheaper.

There is a hometown advantage, but Harvard is Harvard.

[Yugihoe]

Pretty much any of the t6 schools will get you NYC big law at an equivalent rate (any differences are really self-selection), or at a rate where the decision factor is irrelevant.

In other words, your consideration for deciding which school to pick should NOT be ability to get big law if you are deciding between those schools. It should be 1) cost, 2) where you want to live. Those things being similar obviously go to Harvard vs Columbia.

[beinghuman]

I think you should prepare the best you can, take the LSAT, and then see which schools might be within reach for you.
I do not think that debating Harvard versus Columbia at this point is a very useful exercise.