Another Emory v. UGA post Forum

[ALCA1920]

Hi all,

My total COA at UGA would be 25k (~30k if we're including interest and fees). For Emory, my COA would be 70k, not accounting for tuition increases/interest. Which would you take?

I'll preface by saying that while the cheaper option makes sense, there are other factors I'm considering: proximity to Atlanta, job placement and degree portability. I respect Emory and its reputation and feel inclined to take the offer, but are they better than UGA in the eyes of legal employers in Atlanta or elsewhere?

I know someone will come here and say R&R, so I'll address it by saying, I studied for the LSAT for a year and a half and I couldn't break 168 reliably. I tried studying again for the February test this year, but my PT scores were all over the place. I'm throwing in the towel and going with what I have.

[crazywafflez]

What are your goals?
Are you planning on staying in the South or GA?
In my opinion, UGA and Emory are fairly interchangeable- especially in GA (in fact, I'd boldly, and probs incorrectly, state that UGA even has a leg up with native GA folks, especially outside Atlanta- I have nothing to back this up...). Just going off of stats though, Emory is more portable, but UGA has better employment rates overall. The top end at Emory may have a better chance at landing biglaw type stuff than UGA, but the bottom aren't so lucky.
UGA:
National Law Firm 14.4%
Federal Clerkships 10.5%
Employment Rate 89%

Emory:
National Law Firm 23.9%
Federal Clerkships 6.2%
Employment Rate 71%

If the costs were closer, I'd maybe take Emory if I were truly looking for portability. Without knowing more I can't say what is best for you. 70k (more like 85-90k with interest etc) isn't terrible from Emory, and I'd be willing to pay that kind of debt for it. But when you have a comparable school that maybe has even better stats for cheaper, you can't really take Emory. Emory's name (from its undergrad) lends it prestige, and I understand the allure in that, but here, you really should take UGA at the cost. Emory isn't really worth 50k more than UGA, especially if you are happy with the South. If you're trying to go to the Northeast, perhaps I'd revaluate- but I also would've gone to Fordham or BC or something if that were the case. If you're trying to go to the West or Midwest, retake.
I know the Emory name is alluring in a sense, but I really think UGA is the right move here. It's a great school, has a better employment rate than Emory, fairly comparable outcomes for its grads in general, and is significantly cheaper than Emory.

[ALCA1920]

Thank you, crazywafflez.

I'm looking to practice in Atlanta for my first law job. I don't know what kind of career I want yet, but I won't jump off a bridge if I don't get biglaw. I'd be very happy with state/fed govt or midlaw opportunities. Something in employment or medical malpractice law would be interesting. I really like Emory and would take it in a heartbeat (I love Atlanta and Emory is right there), but I want to be sure that 70k+ in debt won't crush me and that I won't regret not taking UGA instead.

Ultimately, is there any reason to choose Emory over UGA for a steeper price? Like you said, portability is one, and maybe Emory's slightly higher BL+FC numbers. Emory's Atlanta location is another thing, but that aside, there doesn't seem to be much else (correct me if I'm wrong, pls). If it's a case of paying 50 grand more for an identical outcome from a cheaper school, I'll go nuts.

[crazywafflez]

I can't think of any other reason aside the ones we've both mentioned. UGA has better employment numbers and is cheaper. Emory is more portable and has slightly better biglaw/clerkship placement (but on the magnitude of 5%- which might be significant- but the employment rate between the two schools is even starker, with UGA placing a lot more of its grads into legal jobs in general and Emory being fairly weak in that regard given its placement).
They are ultimately very similar schools.
I just don't see a situation where I'd think Emory is worth 50k+ more than UGA- especially given your goals.
I could stomach that amount of debt from Emory if it were my only option compared to say a fullride at Georgia State and paying sticker at WashU or something; but you've essentially got a full ride to a peer school in UGA, that places arguably better than Emory, for cheaper.
If you could get Emory down to like 40-50k @ 3 years, I could see possibly picking it over UGA at 25 or 30k given your location preferences. But at 30k to UGA vs 80k at Emory (tuition will go up and your interest rate will obviously hurt more and multiple faster on a higher loan), I would most certainly pick UGA. Personally, I would only take Emory if all costs were equal.
Again, at these costs though, UGA is a fantastic option and should be your pick given your goals. 25-30k debt is fairly minimal and really grants you the freedom to explore a lot of avenues.
While 70-90k isn't exactly life ruining from a T1 it isn't something to sneeze at, and you'll be closer to that 90k than 70 I'd imagine.
Try negotiating- but if you can't bring Emory a lot closer, I really would pick UGA.

[The Lsat Airbender]

Agree with crazywafflez. It's hard to justify dropping an extra $50-60k on Emory. Not a huge sum compared to what some people drop on law school, but still an objectively substantial amount of money that could, e.g., help make a down payment on a house or put you a couple years ahead on retirement savings.

[CanadianWolf]

Culturally these are two very different schools.

Employment prospects are similar in Georgia & neighboring states. Emory is more recognized in the Northeast US than is Georgia.

Any other options ?

What was your best LSAT score & how many times did you take the LSAT ?

Since you are concerned about portability, my advice is to retake the LSAT.