Cornell ($$) VS UCLA ($$$$) Forum

[rantaway]

Total COA (tuition + COL - scholarship): 180k for Cornell and 100k for UCLA.

Goals: Big law, still undecided what region, but leaning towards NY big law.

I know that without thinking about cost Cornell would obviously be the better choice, because of its crazy big law employment rate in NYC, but it's also $80k more which is an enormous amount of money to me in my current situation. For UCLA, I heard you do need to be above median to get big law from there and I'm not sure, without first doing law school, whether I'd be able to get it. I also am not sure if it would be easy to get NY big law from there even if I am above median. On the other hand, erasing 80k from COL would help me a lot in making things manageable and less stressed during 1L, and less burdened by debt.

Also interested to know: Are big law prospects, exit opportunities, and work life balance different in NYC vs Cali firms? Might change my opinion on what region to gun for.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[talons2250]

I would say Cornell because the difference is only $80K and you're interested in NYC biglaw. I don't think it makes sense to choose Cali biglaw over NY biglaw on the assumption that Cali biglaw offers better work/life balance. That might be true in some instances but there enough exceptions that it shouldn't factor into your decision. For purposes of this decision, assume that you'll be at median at either school.

[Wubbles]

Cornell, easy choice. 180k is a good COA number coming out of there and you want to be in NY. You can pay off 180k in 2 years of biglaw if you're so inclined, but paying off 100k after missing biglaw entirely can take much longer

[Dcc617]

This is not an easy choice, $180K is a ton of money. It’s not easy to pay that back. Biglaw is also a shit goal for a lot of people. Like, take out a ton of debt to work yourself to death to get back to where you started?

Also, the market is really tough right now. I’m not sure either of these are great options.

[ShortTimeLurker]

As a rising 3L, I would encourage you to go for the higher scholarship. I am pursuing JAG and federal government work, which I know is different in terms of the emphasis on prestige, but I truly feel that my internships and externships are defining my resume FAR more than the rank of school. Then again my school is a big government feeder, not a biglaw firm feeder.

UCLA is no slacker, but it's 5 figures of debt less than Cornell. That interest gets you. Just my 2 cents.

[s7e35k914]

Cornell, easy choice. 180k is a good COA number coming out of there and you want to be in NY. You can pay off 180k in 2 years of biglaw if you're so inclined, but paying off 100k after missing biglaw entirely can take much longer

I don't know what universe or planet you're living in, but paying off 180k in 2 years of biglaw is not easy by any stretch.

[anymouseqwerty]

Go to Cornell. Ithaca is way cheaper than Westwood and all your law school friends will be moving to NYC with you.

[Wubbles]

Cornell, easy choice. 180k is a good COA number coming out of there and you want to be in NY. You can pay off 180k in 2 years of biglaw if you're so inclined, but paying off 100k after missing biglaw entirely can take much longer

I don't know what universe or planet you're living in, but paying off 180k in 2 years of biglaw is not easy by any stretch.

I said the choice was easy, not that paying off that amount in 2 years was, just that it was possible

[The Lsat Airbender]

Cornell, easy choice. 180k is a good COA number coming out of there and you want to be in NY. You can pay off 180k in 2 years of biglaw if you're so inclined, but paying off 100k after missing biglaw entirely can take much longer

I don't know what universe or planet you're living in, but paying off 180k in 2 years of biglaw is not easy by any stretch.

I said the choice was easy, not that paying off that amount in 2 years was, just that it was possible

Barely mathematically possible. You'd have to really turn on the afterburners to save >$95k p.a. as a stub/first year, especially in NYC. Three years is realistic but would still require some dedication.

[Wubbles]

Cornell, easy choice. 180k is a good COA number coming out of there and you want to be in NY. You can pay off 180k in 2 years of biglaw if you're so inclined, but paying off 100k after missing biglaw entirely can take much longer

I don't know what universe or planet you're living in, but paying off 180k in 2 years of biglaw is not easy by any stretch.

I said the choice was easy, not that paying off that amount in 2 years was, just that it was possible

Barely mathematically possible. You'd have to really turn on the afterburners to save >$95k p.a. as a stub/first year, especially in NYC. Three years is realistic but would still require some dedication.

Agreed that it is hard but possible, pocketed 200k+ by the end of year 2

[AaronCarter]

Cornell, easy choice. 180k is a good COA number coming out of there and you want to be in NY. You can pay off 180k in 2 years of biglaw if you're so inclined, but paying off 100k after missing biglaw entirely can take much longer

I don't know what universe or planet you're living in, but paying off 180k in 2 years of biglaw is not easy by any stretch.