Am I crazy for considering staying? UF vs. Harvard Forum

[should-i-do-it]

make a poll bro

[transferror]

Yeah, that is understandable. And I didn't mean to come off so crass. I just tend to think that even if you think you know exactly what you want to do for the entirety of your career, there is such a real chance that changes. To have an HLS degree would basically support any career/location change you wanted to make at any point in your career.

I agree that a HLS degree could offer some medium-term advantages for the OP in the event that he wants to leave Florida, but I think you're overstating things.

I don't think it's an overstatement to say that you will always have a leg up when your resume says Harvard instead of UF. I`m not saying it will make OP a shoe-in everywhere they ever go. But it will always be a leg up.

The problem is that OP will almost certainly not need a "leg up" to get his pick of Florida biglaw as #1 at UF + IP. Paying an extra 100k for what's likely the same outcome doesn't seem to be worth it to OP, especially considering the pains of transferring - loss of LR, friends, connections, the physics BS, etc. I think it's both justifiable and understandable to stay at UF, and I say that as someone currently hoping to transfer. Everything is situational and shouldn't just be about "but it's Harvard."

Also, remember to link to this thread every time someone starts the "TLS'ers are a bunch of prestige whores" rant.

[wingding]

I don't think it's an overstatement to say that you will always have a leg up when your resume says Harvard instead of UF. I`m not saying it will make OP a shoe-in everywhere they ever go. But it will always be a leg up.

#1 at UF should open just about every door in Florida. 10 years from now, whatever OP does in the meantime will open more doors than a degree from Harvard on its own (unless OP turns out to be a dud - but the harvard degree won't help much then either)

[should-i-do-it]

what if op has a shitty second year and tanks

[wingding]

what if op has a shitty second year and tanks

OP should be biglaw secure by September

[rpupkin]

Yeah, that is understandable. And I didn't mean to come off so crass. I just tend to think that even if you think you know exactly what you want to do for the entirety of your career, there is such a real chance that changes. To have an HLS degree would basically support any career/location change you wanted to make at any point in your career.

I agree that a HLS degree could offer some medium-term advantages for the OP in the event that he wants to leave Florida, but I think you're overstating things.

I don't think it's an overstatement to say that you will always have a leg up when your resume says Harvard instead of UF. I`m not saying it will make OP a shoe-in everywhere they ever go. But it will always be a leg up.

That's not the same thing you initially said, but I'm not sure your revised statement is right either. Once you're past the first few years of your career, your law school isn't going to matter for most jobs.

[rad lulz]

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[sflyr2016]

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[unclepete]

I don't think it's an overstatement to say that you will always have a leg up when your resume says Harvard instead of UF. I`m not saying it will make OP a shoe-in everywhere they ever go. But it will always be a leg up.

#1 at UF should open just about every door in Florida. 10 years from now, whatever OP does in the meantime will open more doors than a degree from Harvard on its own (unless OP turns out to be a dud - but the harvard degree won't help much then either)

But my point is that 10 years from now he might hate Florida. You never know.

[wingding]

I don't think it's an overstatement to say that you will always have a leg up when your resume says Harvard instead of UF. I`m not saying it will make OP a shoe-in everywhere they ever go. But it will always be a leg up.

#1 at UF should open just about every door in Florida. 10 years from now, whatever OP does in the meantime will open more doors than a degree from Harvard on its own (unless OP turns out to be a dud - but the harvard degree won't help much then either)

But my point is that 10 years from now he might hate Florida. You never know.

10 years from now, OP might be partner at a biglaw firm, which will open plenty of doors in other states. Or OP might be Florida's AG, which will open plenty of doors in other states.
Or OP could go to Harvard, get a biglaw job, fail spectacularly, and be unemployable. Which will close plenty of doors in other states.

Sure, the harvard degree will give you a leg up against someone with similar experience, but, 10 years from now, it'll be the experience that opens doors, not the degree. (ignoring alumni network)

[transferror]

I don't think it's an overstatement to say that you will always have a leg up when your resume says Harvard instead of UF. I`m not saying it will make OP a shoe-in everywhere they ever go. But it will always be a leg up.

#1 at UF should open just about every door in Florida. 10 years from now, whatever OP does in the meantime will open more doors than a degree from Harvard on its own (unless OP turns out to be a dud - but the harvard degree won't help much then either)

But my point is that 10 years from now he might hate Florida. You never know.

one year from now he might hate hahvahd. you never kno

[rad lulz]

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[heavoldgotjuice]

A good motto to live by: ... Never settle, always strive

[speedtracer]

I know OP well. He's an amazing person and the humblest genius I've ever met. One thing I think worth noting is that OP has familial ties to federal judges and practitioners here. And although I strongly encourage him to go to H, his grades + LR + admiration from faculty + connections should allow him to land comfortably on his feet if he chooses to stay.

People like you are what make the prospect of leaving so difficult

[Nelson]

I would rather be #1 at UF than median at Harvard with OP's goals. The only way this transfer makes sense is if OP wanted a top end lit boutique or something like that.

[redsox]

Tell UF you will transfer unless they give you a full scholarship. If they don't, then transfer.

I agree with this ...

You can travel with a Harvard degree ... can't travel w/ a FL one ... decision is yours, but not many people are ever accepted to Harvard whereas a lot of people are accepted to UF. Don't make a choice you'll eventually regret though

Are you just making stuff up for fun, or do you consider 865 per year "not many" and 897 "a lot"?

http://harvard.lawschoolnumbers.com/ - 865 admits
http://florida.lawschoolnumbers.com/ -897 admits

[heavoldgotjuice]

Tell UF you will transfer unless they give you a full scholarship. If they don't, then transfer.

I agree with this ...

You can travel with a Harvard degree ... can't travel w/ a FL one ... decision is yours, but not many people are ever accepted to Harvard whereas a lot of people are accepted to UF. Don't make a choice you'll eventually regret though

Are you just making stuff up for fun, or do you consider 865 per year "not many" and 897 "a lot"?

http://harvard.lawschoolnumbers.com/ - 865 admits
http://florida.lawschoolnumbers.com/ -897 admits

I was going by % of applicants, so no, I'm not making this up for fun. But I'm glad you have shown OP this info though because maybe it will help him in his decision.

Btw, I live and work in Miami and I go to law school in South Florida.

[LawLschool101]

Everyone will think you're crazy until you have the exact job/salary you desire with a fraction of the debt. You've put yourself in a situation where you are going to do great whether you transfer or not- do what makes you happy and own the decision.

[rogerrogerson]

No guarantee you will stay #1. Get the Harvard law degree.

[Jloubriel26]

I would say go, the mobility of a Harvard Degree does not compare to that from one from UF. You will always regret not going if hints don;t work out exactly how you plan them. However, you will not regret leaving because the opportunity at Harvard is greater then those that UF can offer.

[igo2northwestern]

Didn't OP say something about academia? I hear it's difficult to get at HLS, but at least it's feasible. And dang, I can't imagine the feeling dropping from that #1 UF spot and saying to myself: "I could have gone to Harvard".

[NYSprague]

I know OP well. He's an amazing person and the humblest genius I've ever met. One thing I think worth noting is that OP has familial ties to federal judges and practitioners here. And although I strongly encourage him to go to H, his grades + LR + admiration from faculty + connections should allow him to land comfortably on his feet if he chooses to stay.

People like you are what make the prospect of leaving so difficult

So OP will your family pay or help pay for Harvard?
The money is the only problem.

[rad lulz]

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[rad lulz]

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[daleearnhardt123]

This is so obviously Harvard. 2 years from now, it will likely not have mattered which decision you made. 5-10 years from now, it could matter a great great deal. This is a prestige obsessed profession. You'd be foolish to stay at UF. And do you know whether or not Harvard will be giving you any need-based aid?