Top Law Schools

Still waiting to hear from NYU/Columbia/Penn/Duke/Berkeley/Michigan...if I get into one of those I will likely go there.

Ended 1L with a 3.86 (Top 6%) at a T45-55.

So far, I am admitted to Georgetown, Texas, UCLA, and USC.

I 100% want to practice in Los Angeles and have no ties the California other than attending 1L in CA.

Interested in practicing big law.

Cost at USC and UCLA will be approx. equal.

I'm aware UCLA is higher ranked and places slightly better. That said, I visited both USC and UCLA and liked USC much more. The student body seemed to be more well-rounded than that at UCLA. I also prefer the area USC is in as it would enable me to live in Silver Lake. (I really hate Westwood). Also, "Trojan Network" is appealing.

All of that said, does UCLA give me a significant enough edge in the LA market to go there despite preferring USC? Or should I go with my gut and become a Trojan?

Also -- for LA does it make sense to ditch USC/UCLA for all the other schools I applied to if I am admitted? (NYU/Columbia/Penn/Duke/Berkeley/Michigan) Or would USC/UCLA give me a better shot than, say, Duke or Michigan in LA Big Law.

Seriously appreciate the advice -- have to send in a deposit to UCLA by Monday!

My gut (and reading TLS) tells me that you'll have a better shot from Columbia or NYU than from UCLA/USC, especially as a transfer. However, in the plausible event you strike out, you'll have a better time being in LA to network/intern for alternative employment.

Between UCLA vs. USC, I'll take UCLA any day of the week, it has a better national reputation.

Out of the other options for LA BigLaw, I'd take Berk over UCLA/USC any day of the week. I might think about Columbia or Penn but thats a tougher call.

I'm from LA and if you are still waiting to hear back from better ranked schools, I wouldn't transfer to either USC or UCLA. The higher ranked schools have just as much influence in the LA (except maybe Michigan). I wouldn't respond to either offer until the last possible minute. Between the two, it doesn't really matter if you want to practice in LA Big Law. If you like USC best than go there.

bump.

By the results of the poll, I suppose the general consensus is that UCLA does offer me a decidedly better shot at LA big law? Please post some sort of explanation if you vote.

Thanks again!

rjp1091 wrote:By the results of the poll, I suppose the general consensus is that UCLA does offer me a decidedly better shot at LA big law? Please post some sort of explanation if you vote.

Thanks again!

They are regional peer schools. Pick whichever one gives you more money in the end. If identical, pick whichever you like more. This is just as silly as the BU vs. BC debates polluting the forum every thirty seconds.

Frankly the law school buildings at each are hideous 60s-era death star monstrosities and UCLA wins in the campus/neighborhood departments for my money, but you seem to think differently.

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Barring C&F issues or some horrid flaw on apps, you are definitely in at one of NYU/Columbia/Berkeley/Michigan, which makes this even more pointless.

rjp1091 wrote:Still waiting to hear from NYU/Columbia/Penn/Duke/Berkeley/Michigan...if I get into one of those I will likely go there.

Ended 1L with a 3.86 (Top 6%) at a T45-55.

I 100% want to practice in Los Angeles and have no ties the California other than attending 1L in CA.

Wait, definitely. Depending on whether you are at Hastings or Pepperdine (by looking at your school ranking and state), you will get into some/most of those.

If you can't stand the idea of waiting, then go with the school you feel like you fit in best at and would want to have as a line on your resume for the rest of your life.

transferror wrote:Barring C&F issues or some horrid flaw on apps, you are definitely in at one of NYU/Columbia/Berkeley/Michigan, which makes this even more pointless.

Really? Top 6% at a low T1 and you theink it's a foregone conclusion that he's in at at least one of those schools?

mandimeoutof10 wrote:

transferror wrote:Barring C&F issues or some horrid flaw on apps, you are definitely in at one of NYU/Columbia/Berkeley/Michigan, which makes this even more pointless.

Really? Top 6% at a low T1 and you theink it's a foregone conclusion that he's in at at least one of those schools?

Yes. He is.

CounselorNebby wrote:

mandimeoutof10 wrote:

transferror wrote:Barring C&F issues or some horrid flaw on apps, you are definitely in at one of NYU/Columbia/Berkeley/Michigan, which makes this even more pointless.

Really? Top 6% at a low T1 and you theink it's a foregone conclusion that he's in at at least one of those schools?

Yes. He is.

Agree with Nebby. Based on past cycles and speaking with CLS/NYU transfers, top 10% from a T1 and top 5% from a T2 will crack the T14 if they apply broadly. I would put money on OP being accepted at one of CLS/NYU/Mich for sure, and most likely 2/3. Berkeley is unpredictable, but CA ties and top 6% puts OP in the ballpark.

Update:

Admitted to Penn. Going there unless I get into Columbia (Potentially NYU -- haven't decided who I'd choose in the Penn v. NYU scenario)

Thanks for all the input!

rjp1091 wrote:Update:

Admitted to Penn. Going there unless I get into Columbia (Potentially NYU -- haven't decided who I'd choose in the Penn v. NYU scenario)

Thanks for all the input!

Grats. Philly is wonderful.

Was gonna suggest USC over UCLA because they are peer schools, cost about the same and you liked USC more. But congrats on Penn!