Top Law Schools

Hi. I was accepted to University of Chicago from another school in the region within the t50- the region which I intend to practice biglaw. I am considering the possibility of pursuing academia at some point.

The differences between the debt I would incur in the next two years would be about 110k at Chicago and 75k at my present school (considering the scholarship increase they offered me). The thing that gives me pause about transferring, is that I think I would probably be able to secure (with my grades) a biglaw job in the same market from my present school. Other factors to consider are that I have a prestigious RA offer at my current school for the Fall, and I have spoke with another professor about working with her on a research project and article at my present school.

Even considering these great opportunities, I'm definitely leaning toward Chicago. Looking for TLS insight. Thanks.

Yes, transfer. The debt added is minimal and the value added is through the roof (far more prestige than any research you could be doing at your current school).

remember: firms want the most prefTTTTigious lawyer.

RAships really aren't prestigious. And if you maintain your connections with those profs, you can still get their feedback on any articles you write (you might even be able to work with the 2nd prof on the article from Chicago).

If you're interested in academia you need to go to Chicago and it's not even debateable. It doesn't matter if you'd get published in a top-50 journal based on the article at your current school. Short of stats/factors that make you a lock for DC Circuit or SCOTUS from your current post (which probably don't exist) you have to build up credentials.

Chicago is the better option not because the school is a golden ticket on the academia front or even that they're meaningfully different than peers on hiring (given state of the market), but because they will know enormously more about current academic hiring, will be able to provide advice on pursuing supplemental graduate degrees, will have better connections to entry-level fellowships and positions, and will make sure that in a game where every inch counts you aren't discounted because of your school name. And they'll also help a lot in securing the all-important federal COA that's borderline mandatory for legal academia.

Go to Chicago.

I would definitely transfer. I agree with DZ that the additional debt will be well worth it.

I was a t30 --> Chicago transfer who has now graduated. I can say that it was, without a doubt, the right decision (Even going from a nearly full ride to paying sticker at UChi). The school will open up doors for you that either will never be open for you from your current school or require a massive amount of both luck and work to get the opportunity.

EDIT: Wanted to add that if ALL you wanted is biglaw and you've killed it at a place like UIUC, then maybe stay. Places like Kirkland/Skadden will always give 2-3 offers to the cream of the crop from that school. But if you're at a place like Loyola or Kent, note that I know that K&E hasn't had anyone from Loyola in the past 2 years and had the #1 kid in the class from Kent two years ago for IP lit and nobody this year. I think Skadden hasn't had anyone from either school in the past two years either, IIRC. Your slight interest in academia makes this decision an absolute no-brainer.

Thanks for the insight. I'm looking forward to Chicago this Fall.