ND v. Vandy Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm currently at a T1 school and have been dinged from Umich (my only T14 app). I should have, but didn't apply to Northwestern. Additionally, I'm a Michigan native and most likely want to practice there. If I had to pick a second state to practice in it'd be Florida...Third Illinois.

I'm getting a fairly insubstantial scholarship from my current institution. I'm also not sure about LR at my current school (I'm in the top 1/3). I'm getting significant financial help for attendance, and would probably graduate any school with about 30-35k in debt (including living expenses)

ND and Vandy have roughly double the biglaw placement as my current school, and I feel a larger reach of where to practice. Of course, my family is saying Vandy >> ND as they basically only look at the USNEWS Rankings. I'm not too sure looking at the LST reports. My current school IMO only really places well in its home state.

If anybody has any insight, I'd appreciate it. If you guys want more information I can provide that.

[ND2018]

I'm not sure you should leave at all, where do you stand grade wise at your current school?

[Anonymous User]

I'm not sure you should leave at all, where do you stand grade wise at your current school?

About the top third.

I completely understand your perspective. I do go to a school that places about 75-80% of its grads in its home state if that helps. My rank (which dropped a bit after the first semester) makes me scared about firm prospects honestly at OCI at my current school. However, transferring IMO may or may not help with job opportunities.

So far it's an even vote between all the options (lol). Also to edit some info in my OP - I'd be able to stay at my current institution with probably 15k in debt (if any).

[ND2018]

ND:
Here's the thing, at a school like ND its tough for transfers. I have a friend who transferred in and essentially missed out on bidding at any desirable firms. He did snag big law through mass mailing but from what I have observed the transfer life at ND is an uphill battle. Unless you can significantly limit the debt you take on at ND I would tell you to pass up ND.

Stay:
15k is really nothing and allows you a ton of flexibility. If you do snag BL, you essentially profit. If not, based one what you have said you should be able to find a job working as an attorney that will pay you a decent amount, and you wont be burdened by the debt.

Vandy:

I cant speak to Vandy. What I said about the amount of debt you incur still applies though.

[Anonymous User]

ND:
Here's the thing, at a school like ND its tough for transfers. I have a friend who transferred in and essentially missed out on bidding at any desirable firms. He did snag big law through mass mailing but from what I have observed the transfer life at ND is an uphill battle. Unless you can significantly limit the debt you take on at ND I would tell you to pass up ND.

Stay:
15k is really nothing and allows you a ton of flexibility. If you do snag BL, you essentially profit. If not, based one what you have said you should be able to find a job working as an attorney that will pay you a decent amount, and you wont be burdened by the debt.

Vandy:

I cant speak to Vandy. What I said about the amount of debt you incur still applies though.

Thanks, I appreciate your advice. I essentially made a deal with who's supporting me where I'd be 35k in debt if I went to ND or Vandy (they cost about the same; besides COL).

If you don't mind I'm going to PM you (it sounds like you went/are going to NDLS.

EDIT: Would have no debt at any schools (after converation). Probably going to go to NDLS as its in my preferred region.

[Anonymous User]

Shameless (and last) bump.