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This may be an easy decision to some, however I find myself back and forth between deciding to go to FSU or Emory. The amount of money is a factor and I am coming from a TTTT school in Florida. I do not plan to stay in Florida and definitely want something new, but I'm not sure if paying the tuition at Emory is worth it. Keep in mind Emory is very big in public interest law and that is the area I am focusing on. Please provide your insight as to which one you would choose and why. Thank you.

Have you calculated the total COA for each law school ?

Are these your only options ?

Yes I have calculated the COA and it would be about a $40,000 difference in total by the time I finish the program. These are the only two schools I care to decide from. However, I am currently on hold at UF.

Since you do not want to stay in Florida, FSU seems like a poor choice. But, Emory at sticker isn't a great option either.

I wouldn't mind staying in Florida, I just don't want to end up spending my life here. So in your opinion, even though Emory is T25, it's not worth the amount of debt I would be falling into? I ask, because I have received different opinions, but all from people who are not familiar with law schools or attending.

Tough choice. If you dont want to stay in FL, I wouldnt really be considering FSU, or UF for that matter. Emory isnt a great option to pay sticker at, but a degree from there carries more portability. IMO I think Emory will work out in the long run.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Like I said, FL is not completely out. I'm just trying to weigh if Emory "status" is worth paying sticker for in the long run.

How much did you pay for your TTTT the 1st year?

If you got that at a "discount" you could pay Emory sticker the last 2 years and, in effect, get an Emory degree at the same price as if you had gone there with a partial scholarship from the beginning.

I paid in-state tuition and walked out with about $24,000 for the entire year.

yellowrose12 wrote:I paid in-state tuition and walked out with about $24,000 for the entire year.

So that'd be like going to Emory on a half tuition scholarship and then losing it after 1L.

Go to Emory.

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pballer wrote:The analysis of how much he paid is largely irrelevant; it's a sunk cost. The relevant inquiry is the value to be gained for the expense that has to be output.

I disagree. People saying paying sticker price for an Emory degree is a bad idea. But because OP paid less than a 1L year at Emory, he won't be paying sticker.

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Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it. Also, pballer...from your posts I'm inferring that this is a self evaluation decision on how much I think the education I will receive is worth.

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I was accepted to Emory, FSU, and the University of Maryland this transfer cycle, and chose Emory after virtually every attorney at my internship told me that its national reputation and "cache" makes it the smartest choice in a super competitive and prestige-driven legal market.

MakeItHappen3 wrote:I was accepted to Emory, FSU, and the University of Maryland this transfer cycle, and chose Emory after virtually every attorney at my internship told me that its national reputation and "cache" makes it the smartest choice in a super competitive and prestige-driven legal market.

Thank you. I decided Emory.