Share Your Thoughts -- Chicago v. Columbia Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey all:

Would really appreciate some TLS wisdom right about now. Have deadlines today to submit deposits at Chicago and Columbia and it's hard for me to decide which one to choose. Ideally after law school I would like to do BigLaw in DC, preferably litigation, but I realize that's a bit premature at this point as I may be perfectly happy doing transactional/corporate work. I really like Tax so that's an option as well, and am patent-bar eligible so I could also go into IP. Again everything is kind of up in the air right now since I don't think I can adequately decide on a practice area after one year of doctrinal coursework, which complicates my decision. Ideally I want the degree that will give me the most opportunities with top BigLaw firms and that will be the most portable and allow me to get a job anywhere in the country (may want to go to SF/northern Cal. if I decide to go into IP).

Some things to consider:
[*]Post-law school I would like to do BigLaw in DC, NY or possibly northern Cal. if I choose to go into IP. Have zero ties to other parts of the country other than mid-Atlantic/Northeast region.
[*]Neither school offers need-based aid, so almost entire COA would need to be financed through loans at both. The difference in their estimated budgets seems to be about $6k per year, so Columbia would be about $15k more expensive over the long-term.
[*]I'm not at all interested in working in Chicago after law-school.
[*]I have friends in NYC but don't know anyone in Chicago and have never even visited the city, so I would be kind of on my own in a totally new city.
[*]I would prefer to be at a school where transfer students can easily integrate into the larger student body instead of just being their own little group, and ideally at a school that facilitates this transition through events, etc.

Which one should I choose? Any feedback would be immensely appreciated!

[EncyclopediaOrange]

Chicago. Honestly, just because I really want to go there and probably won't get in and probably have a better chance at Columbia's transfer class size. This is a self-serving recommendation.

Congrats!

Edit: To clarify my late-night post.

[habeas2210]

*Smaller transfer class at Chicago
*Cheaper cost of living in Chicago

Are also some factors. The difference in tuition is negligible in the long run IMO. Both are superb law schools, and you can't go wrong with either choice. Congrats, and just go with your gut feeling! And if you really don't like it, just remember it isn't permanent (only have to go for 2 years, and time flies by!)

[oliverotis]

Agree with the above poster--if you're concerned about transfer integration, you can expect an easier time at UChi (10 incoming transfers) than Columbia (50 incoming transfers). NYC BigLaw should be easy from either one. Congrats OP, enjoy Chicago!

[Joscellin]

I'll be the counterpoint, I think I would go with Columbia, though that's mostly because of a city preference for NY vs Chi, especially given your lack of interest in staying in Chicago after graduation. Given that you have friends in NY, that weighs as well.

Whether those factors outweigh the CoL difference, I leave up to you. For me, though, I think they would.

Edit: Either way, you'll do great. Congratulations on great outcomes!

[Nebby]

CLS is by far the superior option. The only thing Chi has going for it is that it's negligably cheaper and it places better in Chicago. You don't give a shit about working in Chicago and you will be in BigLaw so the extra $15k is largely neglibable at this point.

CLS places better in DC, which should be your number one priority.

CLS integrates extremely well.

Take the advice of others above with a grain of salt, they've neither transferred schools nor have they transferred to Chicago. I transferred to CLS and can assure you that you'll integrate nicely. If not, then it has to do with you as a person and not the school or culture. If anything, the weirdos at Chicago would be much harder to crack

[habeas2210]

Take the advice of others above with a grain of salt, they've neither transferred schools nor have they transferred to Chicago. I transferred to CLS and can assure you that you'll integrate nicely. If not, then it has to do with you as a person and not the school or culture. If anything, the weirdos at Chicago would be much harder to crack

Not sure if you're referring to my post. But, I was merely adding factors to consider. In fact, if it was me (which I am in the same situation), I would go to Columbia over UChi, (but I'm considering Columbia over another school atm). I even PM'ed you about my questions in re to Columbia transfers. Still waiting for my response

[Nebby]

Take the advice of others above with a grain of salt, they've neither transferred schools nor have they transferred to Chicago. I transferred to CLS and can assure you that you'll integrate nicely. If not, then it has to do with you as a person and not the school or culture. If anything, the weirdos at Chicago would be much harder to crack

Not sure if you're referring to my post. But, I was merely adding factors to consider. In fact, if it was me (which I am in the same situation), I would go to Columbia over UChi, (but I'm considering Columbia over another school atm). I even PM'ed you about my questions in re to Columbia transfers. Still waiting for my response

My bad. I get a couple of PMs daily during transfer season and forget to reply to them all