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Hi, I was admitted to both schools and is now making a decision. If I wish to work for big law in Chicago. Which school would give me a better chance? Thanks for your input

If you want biglaw in Chicago the answer is easily Northwestern.

Great Satchmo wrote:If you want biglaw in Chicago the answer is easily Northwestern.

Thanks!

I'll be making this same decision. Why is it such a "slam dunk" for Northwestern? Only 6% difference in big firm placement according to LST.

while 6% isnt a small difference, you should evaluate the school's oci system and examine your own candidacy. are you at the margins at your old school or a biglaw "lock"

K Rock wrote:I'll be making this same decision. Why is it such a "slam dunk" for Northwestern? Only 6% difference in big firm placement according to LST.

I guess Northwestern has better connection to law firms in chicago than Michigan, it seems that Michigan feeds most of its graduates to NY market...

At my V100, Northwestern has the highest representation among partners, associates, and SAs.

greenchair wrote:I work at a V100 in Chicago. Northwestern has the highest representation among partners, associates, and SAs.

Thank you for this great input!

greenchair wrote:I work at a V100 in Chicago. Northwestern has the highest representation among partners, associates, and SAs.

Yet you still wouldn't tell people to take NU over Chi, would you?

K Rock wrote:

greenchair wrote:I work at a V100 in Chicago. Northwestern has the highest representation among partners, associates, and SAs.

Yet you still wouldn't tell people to take NU over Chi, would you?

Which school is bigger?

K Rock wrote:

greenchair wrote:I work at a V100 in Chicago. Northwestern has the highest representation among partners, associates, and SAs.

Yet you still wouldn't tell people to take NU over Chi, would you?

Because UChi and NU aren't really peers. UM and NU are. If you want Chicago biglaw, NU is likely a better bet due to a stronger connection to Chicago biglaw firms. Those firms look for and intend to hire more NU grads than UM grads. Because of that, NU likely gives transfers a better shot at Chicago biglaw.

I will say it is probably risky for a transfer to go after Chicago biglaw (from either UM or NU) considering how tough it is to get. It would be much safer to go for NYC.

K Rock wrote:I'll be making this same decision. Why is it such a "slam dunk" for Northwestern? Only 6% difference in big firm placement according to LST.

6% is more significant in view of the number of people that get biglaw jobs. If 100% of the class got those jobs, then 6% would be negligible. However, when 30%-40% are in play, 6% comprises a larger proportion that you may want to pay attention to.

Further, it's a logistical issue. First off, my guess (without even looking at the info) is that Northwestern has more Chicago firms, AmLaw and otherwise, coming to OCI. Beyond that, if you strike-out at OCI, you're at least already in the city rather than having to do your footwork from afar.

When transferring I was accepted to both schools, but since I didn't particularly want to find employment in Chicago I decided to go with Michigan essentially because housing was easier to find (although in retrospect I probably should have gone to Northwestern because living in Chicago would be a lot more fun than living in Ann Arbor - but that's personal taste).

Either way the numbers are not so skewed such that one decision would be completely wrong over another; one place just gives you the potential for a higher level of exposure and access to the legal community in the city should you so avail yourself. However, if you know you want to be in Chicago but you'd like two years of a college town before you go, then Michigan would be a fine choice.

will it change if I am comparing NU against columbia or NYU if I want to pursue biglaw in chicago? I am still waiting to hear from these two schools. Not sure if I should go ahead and pay my deposit at NU

wsn88831 wrote:will it change if I am comparing NU against columbia or NYU if I want to pursue biglaw in chicago? I am still waiting to hear from these two schools. Not sure if I should go ahead and pay my deposit at NU

If you absolutely want Chicago biglaw I would still take NU over CLS/NYU. But I think that's a risky maneuver. You really should balance how much you want Chicago vs how much you want biglaw since Chicago biglaw is so tough to get. If I were you I'd take CLS/NYU if you got it and gun towards NYC since that is more surefire way to get biglaw.

bk187 wrote:

wsn88831 wrote:will it change if I am comparing NU against columbia or NYU if I want to pursue biglaw in chicago? I am still waiting to hear from these two schools. Not sure if I should go ahead and pay my deposit at NU

If you absolutely want Chicago biglaw I would still take NU over CLS/NYU. But I think that's a risky maneuver. You really should balance how much you want Chicago vs how much you want biglaw since Chicago biglaw is so tough to get. If I were you I'd take CLS/NYU if you got it and gun towards NYC since that is more surefire way to get biglaw.

Thanks!