Top Law Schools

COA:
Vanderbilt: ~90k
Texas: ~90k

LSAT/GPA: 170/3.78

I want to go into corporate/finance law. I was waitlisted at UVA and Columbia, denied at UPenn. I didn't apply to any lower T14 schools (I should have).

Vanderbilt offered me 125k and Texas 102k, so after COL and tuition differences the COA are about equal.

Do you guys think I can make Big corporate law (no location preference) at either of these schools? If so, which one? I am pretty set on going to law school this year but would it be worth waiting a year to possibly get into Cornell, Georgetown, or another low T14?

My plan right now is to attend Vandy and try to go Big Law in Atlanta.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Reapply

Median at Texas can get you big law in Texas, about top 1/3 at Texas can get you big law elsewhere. (This is purely anecdotal and just a reflection of what my class's experiences were). No clue about Vanderbilt. Can a Commodore chime in?

Clemenceau wrote:Reapply

This. You should be getting 120k from lower T-14s with your numbers. Apply the first day that the application is available next fall, and your outcome will be much better. Also, you are certainly underestimating the COA of these two schools. You are looking at about 140k at repayment for Texas and 145k for Vandy according to the G-Town calculator. Your numbers should get you far better than that.

Retake (if possible) and reapply.

GFox345 wrote:

Clemenceau wrote:Reapply

This. You should be getting 120k from lower T-14s with your numbers. Apply the first day that the application is available next fall, and your outcome will be much better. Also, you are certainly underestimating the COA of these two schools. You are looking at about 140k at repayment for Texas and 145k for Vandy according to the G-Town calculator. Your numbers should get you far better than that.

I calculated those numbers using my unique situation. My parents are loaning me the money at a very low rate. They are also paying for insurance and transportation.

And I know I can't rely on anything but I think I can rank pretty highly in the class if I go to vandy or Texas. At a T14 I'd probably be in the middle.

FinLaw16 wrote:

GFox345 wrote:

Clemenceau wrote:Reapply

This. You should be getting 120k from lower T-14s with your numbers. Apply the first day that the application is available next fall, and your outcome will be much better. Also, you are certainly underestimating the COA of these two schools. You are looking at about 140k at repayment for Texas and 145k for Vandy according to the G-Town calculator. Your numbers should get you far better than that.

I calculated those numbers using my unique situation. My parents are loaning me the money at a very low rate. They are also paying for insurance and transportation.

And I know I can't rely on anything but I think I can rank pretty highly in the class if I go to vandy or Texas. At a T14 I'd probably be in the middle.

You don't know that. At all. Not even remotely.

.

Wtf? Why in the world did you not apply to any lower T-14 schools? Also, why are you asking this question when you already pointed out yourself that you should have applied to lower T-14 schools? Your answer is in your question (literally). This thread is just confusing.

Just in case I haven't made myself clear: Re-apply.

/thread.

emkay625 wrote:Median at Texas can get you big law in Texas, about top 1/3 at Texas can get you big law elsewhere. (This is purely anecdotal and just a reflection of what my class's experiences were). No clue about Vanderbilt. Can a Commodore chime in?

Based on what I've seen, I'm not nearly this optimistic. I think a generic candidate without ties is likely SOL at median. Top 1/3 isn't pretty either.

OP- there is a sizeable difference in job outcomes between, say, Cornell and Vandy. But I doubt there is a sizeable difference in the student body. Don't assume you'll do better at UT/Vandy than you would at a T14.

Clemenceau wrote:Reapply

This. Don't sell yourself short-you can do better.

BigZuck wrote:

emkay625 wrote:Median at Texas can get you big law in Texas, about top 1/3 at Texas can get you big law elsewhere. (This is purely anecdotal and just a reflection of what my class's experiences were). No clue about Vanderbilt. Can a Commodore chime in?

Based on what I've seen, I'm not nearly this optimistic. I think a generic candidate without ties is likely SOL at median. Top 1/3 isn't pretty either.

OP- there is a sizeable difference in job outcomes between, say, Cornell and Vandy. But I doubt there is a sizeable difference in the student body. Don't assume you'll do better at UT/Vandy than you would at a T14.

Echoing this, I wouldn't feel safe at median, or even top 1/3, at UT (I'm a current UT 2L). "'Can' get you biglaw" is not what you should be aiming for with those numbers.

Reapply and go to a t14 where a median bro can snag biglaw. UT and Vandy are too risky.

Hey y'all, I'm currently in the same boat choosing here... 168/3.75, got into UT and Vandy with big scholarships. Was waitlisted Michigan and Gtown, haven't heard from Northwestern. I applied literally the very last minute. I know my LSAT is lower than OP but what are thoughts on me going to one of these schools vs waiting and reapplying early on in the cycle?

ladybug1 wrote:Hey y'all, I'm currently in the same boat choosing here... 168/3.75, got into UT and Vandy with big scholarships. Was waitlisted Michigan and Gtown, haven't heard from Northwestern. I applied literally the very last minute. I know my LSAT is lower than OP but what are thoughts on me going to one of these schools vs waiting and reapplying early on in the cycle?

Hard to say without listing your goals or COA at either school. But reapplying and retaking in the interim is always a good idea, especially since applying late almost certainly hurt you.

If you're doing something interesting with your life/would be doing something cool the next year if you could reapply, then I would do that. Otherwise, either option is acceptable. Sure bets at biglaw in Atlanta? Definitely not. But those are fair prices to pay for the generic outcomes at either. I am a biased UT student, however.

ladybug1 wrote:Hey y'all, I'm currently in the same boat choosing here... 168/3.75, got into UT and Vandy with big scholarships. Was waitlisted Michigan and Gtown, haven't heard from Northwestern. I applied literally the very last minute. I know my LSAT is lower than OP but what are thoughts on me going to one of these schools vs waiting and reapplying early on in the cycle?

Retaking seems like the obvious call, assuming that's an option for you.

ladybug1 wrote:Hey y'all, I'm currently in the same boat choosing here... 168/3.75, got into UT and Vandy with big scholarships. Was waitlisted Michigan and Gtown, haven't heard from Northwestern. I applied literally the very last minute. I know my LSAT is lower than OP but what are thoughts on me going to one of these schools vs waiting and reapplying early on in the cycle?

Almost exactly the same stats and outcomes. For me it would be so much easier if you would take Vanderbilt, because means there is a (slightly) better chance of me getting off of a waitlist. However, don't do it. Ride the waitlist, and reapply. Unless you want to work in the South long-term, there is no point risking your future career when you could just get into a T-14 this year or apply early / retake and get a T-5.

I know it is horrible to wait even longer but it will be so much more worth it.

Hi FinLaw16:

Hold on. You’re WL at UVa and Columbia and it’s only April, and you’re making noises like it’s time to make other plans? No, especially with your numbers you should wage an LOCI campaign at both schools. Tomorrow I’ll post a note on the professional’s forum on this site and explain a bit about what I mean. One thing I suggest to my clients in your situation is that you take the June LSAT and use one of your LOCIs to cover a copy of any improved score. I know that sounds radical, but it’s unlikely you’ll go down (and if you do, forget the LOCI and let nature take its course: the LSAC will report the score, and some underling in the admissions office will just toss it into your file unnoticed), and if it goes up, what better news can you share with a law school dean of admissions? If you break into the thin air above 175, Columbia will herald you in on a choir of angels. If it doesn’t work, you’re ready to reapply next year at the earliest possible date.

As to reapplying, Penn turned you down? WTF? I’m not sure Penn sees too many 170’s actually show up in the fall after the summer’s WL activity. Even getting WL at UVa was a screwing with those numbers. Is there something we don’t know about you?! Did someone proofread your personal statement? Do you have decent softs? Anyway, be sure you fix it, or I’m afraid you’ll be wasting your time, and by time I mean one year of your life.

Look, if the LOCI campaign doesn’t work, and you don’t want to wait a year, you’re in good shape with Vandy and Texas, especially if you’re happy with Atlanta. I’m not sure who the guru was who came up with 14 as the cutoff for the "T14," but I don’t think it’s applied so strictly when what we are talking about are numbers 15 and 16! Atlanta, and a lot of other cities for that matter, love people from those schools.

Good luck.

Dan Sullivan