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In a bit of a bind. Currently at Cardozo, top 10% or higher (since they don't rank above that), LR, 20K scholarship for this year. Accepted at UCLA, still waiting on NYU & Columbia. Problem is that the UCLA deposit is due 7/16, and it's not a flexible deadline. NYU/CLS said they can try to get review of my app expedited but it's not guaranteed. So, should I:

1) Stay at Cardozo, try to get them to give me more money (no guarantee on that)
2) Put in the $1000 deposit at UCLA, but still wait on NYU/CLS (Can I do that? After you put a deposit in, are you committed to attending?)
3) Commit to UCLA

I want to do Biglaw in either NYC or CA.

Thanks!

JoJ2124 wrote:In a bit of a bind. Currently at Cardozo, top 10% or higher (since they don't rank above that), LR, 20K scholarship for this year. Accepted at UCLA, still waiting on NYU & Columbia. Problem is that the UCLA deposit is due 7/16, and it's not a flexible deadline. NYU/CLS said they can try to get review of my app expedited but it's not guaranteed. So, should I:

1) Stay at Cardozo, try to get them to give me money (no guarantee on that)
2) Put in the $1000 deposit at UCLA, but still wait on NYU/CLS (Can I do that? After you put a deposit in, are you committed to attending?)
3) Commit to UCLA

I want to do Biglaw in either NYC or CA.

Thanks!

I would read the exact language of the UCLA offer, but I don't believe merely paying a seat deposit to hold your seat makes it a binding acceptance.

LR is really nice. If I was on LR I would prob stay at my school. Also, you can go right now and try to negotiate since you already got an acceptance. We have similar numbers.

thexfactor wrote:LR is really nice. If I was on LR I would prob stay at my school. Also, you can go right now and try to negotiate since you already got an acceptance. We have similar numbers.

+1. This is what I would do. Your school will surely throw some money at you to get you to stay. As for the grand (which is a ridiculous amount btw) it is up to you. If you can afford it, and you think it's worth giving up what you've worked for to go to UCLA- then and only then would I pay for it. It's a tough decision to make, but you know where you stand and what your chances are to get the job you want. So if you think you have a better shot staying put, then I would do that, if you think it's worth it to give up ur rank/lr and other things and xfer to UCLA, then i would do that. Good luck with NYU and CLS, and with whatever decision you make.

also consider the cost of moving, and the cost of finding a new place to stay in a safe neighborhood in UCLA... it will cost you more than a gradn ( prolly 3-5k) to do the move.. and you have approximately one month to pack and go adn get all settled in before classes start.

If I were you, and you were still waiting on other schools, id ask for more money and wait for the other 2 ( unless UCLA is your number 1 choice)

I'd stay at Cardozo and try to get more money unless you really wanted to work in LA. And, of course, hold out for NYU/Columbia.

At this point, I just want to go to the school with the best BigLaw employment prospects, in either LA or NY (ties to both). I'm going to try and negotiate with Cardozo, but if they do not offer me more $$, is it still worth it to stay?

JoJ2124 wrote:At this point, I just want to go to the school with the best BigLaw employment prospects, in either LA or NY (ties to both). I'm going to try and negotiate with Cardozo, but if they do not offer me more $$, is it still worth it to stay?

Stay. If you don't get Big Law in your position, it's not because of anything to do with the prestige/placement of Cardozo itself.

You are in an excellent position that honestly is not worth giving up if NYC Big Law is one of your desires. I mean, you say you would be comfortable in NYC or LA. If that is true, it does not make sense to give up a sure thing (barring personality/mental issues) for a chance at Big Law in LA.

Now, if you made it into Columbia - you should go barring a full ride plus stipend at Cardozo (even then it would be a coin toss).

I dunno about UCLA, but if you get into NYU or Columbia I think you should definitely go. I am an 0L and atrocious at math, but assuming a $70k cost of attendance, a $20k scholarship at Cardozo means you're still going to end up $150k in debt, right? I would happily take $190k debt at NYU over $150k at Cardozo.

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School didn't offer any more $$, despite negotiations. At this point, I'm leaning toward UCLA, barring acceptances from the other schools. To the poster above me, it might be of interest to note that I work in a USAO in a major city, and I've asked the AUSAs there (most of whom come from biglaw) for advice. Of the 4-5 I've talked to so far, most have said to go to UCLA over LR/grades/$ at Cardozo. What many of them pointed out is that, even in this economy, school prestige still counts for everything. That said, I'm not sure how well their advice carries over to someone who has absolutely no interest in working on the West Coast, but given that I do, I value their opinions.

The problem is that UCLA is regional too.... In terms of west coast. THere are hardly any UCLA grads on the east coast.

If you know for sure you want to work in NY, I dont see a problem with carbozo. I think you will do better with carbozo on the east coast.

I think it will be easier to get a job from UCLA. However with that said, since most firms will be from cali, they will have a hard time judging you by your grades. THey might not be familiar with your old school.

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ahshav wrote:JoJ2124 - thanks. Did anyone happen to say anything about OCI next month ITE. I've heard that in past years transfers generally got good jobs, but that the same grades would have gotten them more offers had they stayed. I'm a bit concerned about that disparity turning into a risk this year.

thexfactor wrote: If you know for sure you want to work in NY, I dont see a problem with carbozo. I think you will do better with carbozo on the east coast.

And compared to Penn?

I talked to a person on here who transferred to UCLA last year, who said that everyone he knew got at least 1 offer. I know that about half of LR at Cardozo didn't get any offers last summer (as far as firm offers go).

if you are rushing to make the decision- you are going to make the wrong decision.... stay put and be glad

I don't think I'm rushing in, or making the wrong one (though I haven't actually made the decision yet), and I've received some pretty good advice from attorneys in govt and biglaw. For now, I think putting in the deposit is okay, if only to see if I get in to the other schools, and then at least I'd know all my options. I appreciate your input though.