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No ties to either location; would like to work in a large or midsized firm in a large city. Prefer NU's location to Michigan's.

As a transfer, which school will give me a better chance at landing a biglaw job through OCI?

Which school is easier to integrate into as a transfer?

Anonymous User wrote:No ties to either location; would like to work in a large or midsized firm in a large city. Prefer NU's location to Michigan's.

As a transfer, which school will give me a better chance at landing a biglaw job through OCI?

Which school is easier to integrate into as a transfer?

If you want Chicago biglaw, NU hands down. Those firms hire more NU grads than UM grads because of the local connection.

Look at employment numbers, I recall NU being better - but that may not be such a gap as to justify one over the other (also, as a transfer who knows how much that applies).

I'd go by preference in location and cost. If you want to live in a city while going through law school, then go NU. If you want a college town (or not a city), then go with MIchigan.

I think that the differences between schools at this level are somewhat negligible for the average student and especially transfers (because who knows how or if those differences will affect their competitiveness at OCI before they even start classes).

If you have absolutely no preference in where you live, if they cost the same...then I'd look at distribution of OCI firms and where you want to eventually work. However, I doubt that even would be much a difference.

OP here.

So far, I've been leaning toward NU because it seems to place a little better in biglaw firms.

Also, I feel like NY firms aren't going to treat Michigan applicants any differently than NU applicants (correct me if I'm wrong here). However, Chicago firms would probably treat NU applicants more favorably. And since I want to work in NY/DC/Chicago, NU might make sense.

But, Michigan is $14,000 cheaper over two years. Also, some people I know insist that Michigan is better because it is ranked higher and has more prestige.

In terms of where I'd want to live, it's hard to beat Chicago downtown as a location. But that said, I really don't want this factor to be outcome determinative. I'm willing to go to school in a college town, I've done it for a while now (through undergrad and law school so far).

edit -- I'd particularly like any insight on how transfers do at these schools. A lot of the information I've found is just how general students at the schools do, and that's definitely important information. But from what I hear, some schools seem to integrate transfers better than others.

Anonymous User wrote:OP here.

So far, I've been leaning toward NU because it seems to place a little better in biglaw firms.

Also, I feel like NY firms aren't going to treat Michigan applicants any differently than NU applicants (correct me if I'm wrong here). However, Chicago firms would probably treat NU applicants more favorably. And since I want to work in NY/DC/Chicago, NU might make sense.

But, Michigan is $14,000 cheaper over two years. Also, some people I know insist that Michigan is better because it is ranked higher and has more prestige.

In terms of where I'd want to live, it's hard to beat Chicago downtown as a location. But that said, I really don't want this factor to be outcome determinative. I'm willing to go to school in a college town, I've done it for a while now (through undergrad and law school so far).

edit -- I'd particularly like any insight on how transfers do at these schools. A lot of the information I've found is just how general students at the schools do, and that's definitely important information. But from what I hear, some schools seem to integrate transfers better than others.

I think you are right about the biglaw placement. And I think 14k is pretty negligible as a factor in the decision. As far as the living situation here's something to remember. At NU, you can be three years ahead on important connections, as well as experience what its like to live there and factor that into your decision to pursue biglaw in Chicago. At UM, you will not be working in Ann Arbor after graduation, so you will eventually have to move to a new city at the beginning of your career and make new connections. Just something to think about.

Northwestern is the better choice since it is a target location for your post-law school career.