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Hey everyone - hoping to get some insight. I'm currently choosing between NU and CLS. I have a full-tuition scholarship to NU and a pretty hefty scholarship to Columbia.

Goals: Clerkship followed by Big Law in NYC. I hope to ultimately work in London after a few years in NYC (most of my family lives there). I think I'd like to go in-house at some point in the future. It's important for me to choose the most portable school that'll afford me as much geographic and professional flexibility as possible.

I visited NU a few weeks ago and absolutely loved the campus and the surrounding area. I've also thoroughly enjoyed NU's admitted student events and can really imagine myself happy at the Law School. I haven't visited CLS but I have seen the general Columbia campus and think it's gorgeous. Attracted to Columbia's employment figures and know that I will be well-positioned to get a Big Law position after graduation (but that's the case with NU, too, no?). Heard mixed reviews from students about the quality of teaching and student life, so that's concerning.

I'd love any insight. Regarding debt, I'm not as debt-averse as I probably should be. I guess if I weren't I'd jump at NU's offer but here we are

Thanks so much!

What's your COA at each?

Dcc617 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 16, 2021 7:20 am

What's your COA at each?

120 K at Columbia and 90 K at NU

This is definitely Columbia. Am I missing something?

By the way, choosing law school for quality of life or teaching isn’t the way to look at this. There’s very little you’ll learn in law school that’s relevant for practice, other than arguably clinics supervised for practitioners for certain practice areas.

Go to C unless you have an nyc aversion...and even then probably still go to C. Seems a no brainer.

Congrats.

Go to C. The costs are too close. C will better help you in the longer run.

How did you calculate the costs? I don't get how they're so close based on your post.

Columbia is worth an extra 30k (and one fewer year) for NYC/London goals.

You will have much greater peace of mind re: landing an nyc firm job. Still very doable from NU but much smoother path at columbia.

vbalenciaga wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 16, 2021 12:52 pm

Columbia is worth an extra 30k (and one fewer year) for NYC/London goals.

You will have much greater peace of mind re: landing an nyc firm job. Still very doable from NU but much smoother path at columbia.

This is really helpful. Thank you so much!

Dcc617 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 16, 2021 12:30 pm

How did you calculate the costs? I don't get how they're so close based on your post.

+1, this seems off

If these costs are correct C makes sense unless *really* debt averse. However, I kinda think these costs aren’t correct. What is the dollar amount on these scholarships? Unless you’re living with relatives in NYC, I think you’re underestimating NYC cost of living.