Columbia Law Class of 2019 Forum

[darlenealderson]

I think it comes down to how much of a money disparity there is and what you want to do. If you're sure on biglaw, CLS has an edge, or if it's PI it's NYU. More than that...I think it depends on how much you value each dollar. Personally, I've decided that my preference is probably worth paying $x more a year simply based on the idea that if I'm happier I'll be more successful and my happiness has value, but that's a thought process you have to go through yourself.

I totally agree. I would say it's not even that one has more opportunities in biglaw/PI than the other - I feel like it's that the culture at NYU is pretty PI-friendly while the culture at Columbia is more biglaw-friendly. I got the sense that I could go to Columbia and definitely do super cool PI stuff through their fellowships but I'd just be so much happier doing all of that at NYU.

Also, I got my package from Columbia on Friday and feel like it's not even worth trying to get them to match/consider NYU's (based on everyone's experience ITT).

The way I've talked about it with others is that it's a different focus of the conversation. A crap ton of people at NYU do biglaw, it's by no means a PI-centric school, but a lot of the people interested in PI either in the short or the long run would be more likely to choose an NYU over a CLS or a Penn, etc. As a result, you're going to have more PI related conversations and that element is more likely to come into your classes. Totally valid if that's not something you're looking for--the difference in terms of opportunity is actually much smaller, SJI seems to be pretty well equipped at CLS, but there will be less people with that interest/focus so the culture isn't there in the same way it is at NYU. I do think you're right to point out though that the opportunities post-grad wise are probably there no matter what, so that probably isn't significant enough to tip the scales on its own.

ETA: waiting on my CLS package as well and unless they surprise me by giving me more than NYU's initial offer, I'm bowing out. Which I think there's a .0000001% chance of.

[YCDAACH]

I'm also comparing Columbia to NYU, but I wasn't able to visit since I'm an undergrad student on the West Coast. I've heard a lot of talk about culture differences between the school that leads people to prefer one of the other. The three things I seem to gather are that NYU is more open to PI, is more spread out, and has a different housing situation. What exactly are the other differences between the two?

[clurrburr]

I'm also comparing Columbia to NYU, but I wasn't able to visit since I'm an undergrad student on the West Coast. I've heard a lot of talk about culture differences between the school that leads people to prefer one of the other. The three things I seem to gather are that NYU is more open to PI, is more spread out, and has a different housing situation. What exactly are the other differences between the two?

I'm pretty committed to doing public interest but I had a different assessment of the schools than I think is typical -- I liked Columbia a lot more. The sense I got at NYU is that because there are so many more people interested in PI, I'd have more competition getting jobs and externships I want, and I don't want to feel like I'm competing too much with my classmates for jobs/externships and even access to PI resources. At Columbia there will just be fewer people trying to do what I want to do. I wouldn't be surprised if that impacts the discussions/climate on campus, as people above stated, but I just preferred the vibe at Columbia. (Also their coffee was better.)

I also think the locations of the two schools in Manhattan make a big difference in terms of setting the culture. Greenwich Village is a really great and fun neighborhood but it's always so busy, teeming with students and tourists, and I feel like it would force students to live further away since it's extremely expensive. And the fact that the campus is so weaved into the city takes away the campus vibe that I really like. My friends who went to NYU for undergrad felt like the lack of campus made it difficult to really feel like you're at school. Morningside Heights is much sleepier, cheaper rent, not as many restaurants/bars but that's more of the atmosphere I want when I'm going to school. Maybe it's because I'm from the area I'm more biased toward the UWS but I'd say NYU's location is much more of what you think of when you think New York City.

[CerealMilk]

I'm also comparing Columbia to NYU, but I wasn't able to visit since I'm an undergrad student on the West Coast. I've heard a lot of talk about culture differences between the school that leads people to prefer one of the other. The three things I seem to gather are that NYU is more open to PI, is more spread out, and has a different housing situation. What exactly are the other differences between the two?

I'm pretty committed to doing public interest but I had a different assessment of the schools than I think is typical -- I liked Columbia a lot more. The sense I got at NYU is that because there are so many more people interested in PI, I'd have more competition getting jobs and externships I want, and I don't want to feel like I'm competing too much with my classmates for jobs/externships and even access to PI resources. At Columbia there will just be fewer people trying to do what I want to do. I wouldn't be surprised if that impacts the discussions/climate on campus, as people above stated, but I just preferred the vibe at Columbia. (Also their coffee was better.)

I also think the locations of the two schools in Manhattan make a big difference in terms of setting the culture. Greenwich Village is a really great and fun neighborhood but it's always so busy, teeming with students and tourists, and I feel like it would force students to live further away since it's extremely expensive. And the fact that the campus is so weaved into the city takes away the campus vibe that I really like. My friends who went to NYU for undergrad felt like the lack of campus made it difficult to really feel like you're at school. Morningside Heights is much sleepier, cheaper rent, not as many restaurants/bars but that's more of the atmosphere I want when I'm going to school. Maybe it's because I'm from the area I'm more biased toward the UWS but I'd say NYU's location is much more of what you think of when you think New York City.

Hate to say ditto but... I have similar goals and had the same exact take away from visiting the two schools

[TheKisSquared]

I'm also comparing Columbia to NYU, but I wasn't able to visit since I'm an undergrad student on the West Coast. I've heard a lot of talk about culture differences between the school that leads people to prefer one of the other. The three things I seem to gather are that NYU is more open to PI, is more spread out, and has a different housing situation. What exactly are the other differences between the two?

I'm pretty committed to doing public interest but I had a different assessment of the schools than I think is typical -- I liked Columbia a lot more. The sense I got at NYU is that because there are so many more people interested in PI, I'd have more competition getting jobs and externships I want, and I don't want to feel like I'm competing too much with my classmates for jobs/externships and even access to PI resources. At Columbia there will just be fewer people trying to do what I want to do. I wouldn't be surprised if that impacts the discussions/climate on campus, as people above stated, but I just preferred the vibe at Columbia. (Also their coffee was better.)

I also think the locations of the two schools in Manhattan make a big difference in terms of setting the culture. Greenwich Village is a really great and fun neighborhood but it's always so busy, teeming with students and tourists, and I feel like it would force students to live further away since it's extremely expensive. And the fact that the campus is so weaved into the city takes away the campus vibe that I really like. My friends who went to NYU for undergrad felt like the lack of campus made it difficult to really feel like you're at school. Morningside Heights is much sleepier, cheaper rent, not as many restaurants/bars but that's more of the atmosphere I want when I'm going to school. Maybe it's because I'm from the area I'm more biased toward the UWS but I'd say NYU's location is much more of what you think of when you think New York City.

Hate to say ditto but... I have similar goals and had the same exact take away from visiting the two schools

Also even though NYU has more people doing PI, Columbia's LRAP is way better imo.

[clurrburr]

I'm also comparing Columbia to NYU, but I wasn't able to visit since I'm an undergrad student on the West Coast. I've heard a lot of talk about culture differences between the school that leads people to prefer one of the other. The three things I seem to gather are that NYU is more open to PI, is more spread out, and has a different housing situation. What exactly are the other differences between the two?

I'm pretty committed to doing public interest but I had a different assessment of the schools than I think is typical -- I liked Columbia a lot more. The sense I got at NYU is that because there are so many more people interested in PI, I'd have more competition getting jobs and externships I want, and I don't want to feel like I'm competing too much with my classmates for jobs/externships and even access to PI resources. At Columbia there will just be fewer people trying to do what I want to do. I wouldn't be surprised if that impacts the discussions/climate on campus, as people above stated, but I just preferred the vibe at Columbia. (Also their coffee was better.)

I also think the locations of the two schools in Manhattan make a big difference in terms of setting the culture. Greenwich Village is a really great and fun neighborhood but it's always so busy, teeming with students and tourists, and I feel like it would force students to live further away since it's extremely expensive. And the fact that the campus is so weaved into the city takes away the campus vibe that I really like. My friends who went to NYU for undergrad felt like the lack of campus made it difficult to really feel like you're at school. Morningside Heights is much sleepier, cheaper rent, not as many restaurants/bars but that's more of the atmosphere I want when I'm going to school. Maybe it's because I'm from the area I'm more biased toward the UWS but I'd say NYU's location is much more of what you think of when you think New York City.

Hate to say ditto but... I have similar goals and had the same exact take away from visiting the two schools

Also even though NYU has more people doing PI, Columbia's LRAP is way better imo.

Totally, I couldn't believe that if you use loans to pay for your expected individual contribution they aren't covered by LRAP. NYU was the first school I visited so I thought that was typical but Berkeley had no idea what I was talking about when I asked about it!

[darlenealderson]

I'm also comparing Columbia to NYU, but I wasn't able to visit since I'm an undergrad student on the West Coast. I've heard a lot of talk about culture differences between the school that leads people to prefer one of the other. The three things I seem to gather are that NYU is more open to PI, is more spread out, and has a different housing situation. What exactly are the other differences between the two?

Personally I think it's a lot of vibe-based preference, but you really can't go wrong either place. For me, I've never really loved Columbia's campus (it's nothing compared to my undergrad so it's not something I was looking for either way). I also am not really into living uptown. I love the village and can't imagine giving up that energy to live in Morningside Heights. For me too I really care a lot about what that conversation in class looks like, but if that isn't something you care much about then the PI edge for NYU might realistically go away given what the above posters are saying!

[ih8makingscreennames]

I'm also comparing Columbia to NYU, but I wasn't able to visit since I'm an undergrad student on the West Coast. I've heard a lot of talk about culture differences between the school that leads people to prefer one of the other. The three things I seem to gather are that NYU is more open to PI, is more spread out, and has a different housing situation. What exactly are the other differences between the two?

I'm pretty committed to doing public interest but I had a different assessment of the schools than I think is typical -- I liked Columbia a lot more. The sense I got at NYU is that because there are so many more people interested in PI, I'd have more competition getting jobs and externships I want, and I don't want to feel like I'm competing too much with my classmates for jobs/externships and even access to PI resources. At Columbia there will just be fewer people trying to do what I want to do. I wouldn't be surprised if that impacts the discussions/climate on campus, as people above stated, but I just preferred the vibe at Columbia. (Also their coffee was better.)

I also think the locations of the two schools in Manhattan make a big difference in terms of setting the culture. Greenwich Village is a really great and fun neighborhood but it's always so busy, teeming with students and tourists, and I feel like it would force students to live further away since it's extremely expensive. And the fact that the campus is so weaved into the city takes away the campus vibe that I really like. My friends who went to NYU for undergrad felt like the lack of campus made it difficult to really feel like you're at school. Morningside Heights is much sleepier, cheaper rent, not as many restaurants/bars but that's more of the atmosphere I want when I'm going to school. Maybe it's because I'm from the area I'm more biased toward the UWS but I'd say NYU's location is much more of what you think of when you think New York City.

Hate to say ditto but... I have similar goals and had the same exact take away from visiting the two schools

Also even though NYU has more people doing PI, Columbia's LRAP is way better imo.

Depends on how you define better, and what your salary ends up being. It's nice that if you bow out of the PSLF-linked one at NYU that you get the one-time payment to get you back on track with the neg-am. I think that makes up for the difference in personal contribution.

I found that students and NYU came across as not feeling the competition in the PI realm even if they were secretly competitive. I have a flipped opinion, I prefer being downtown. I also study to rap music or purposefully go to busy places to study. Columbia's housing is nicer, and it's cheaper to get an apartment in its location even if not Columbia-affiliated. I guess for me the need to feel like I'm at school. Both law schools are spread across multiple buildings but with one main building. I'm legit torn and gonna let money make my decision. If they tie the money, I don't know what I will do.

[sfoglia]

My aid package was slightly over half of what NYU and UChi offered, which I did send them. I very, very likely would have enrolled if they had met it.

Bye Columbiaaaaa.

Just NYU, Harvard, and UChi left to choose from.

[somethingElse]

Columbia's LRAP is better than NYU's. To my knowledge, and if I'm wrong about this I'll rescind my statement, but for NYU's you have to use IBR/PSLF unless you don't qualify for PSLF. Most likely your job will.

Columbia has a fully funded, straight amortization option which IMO is huge. No need to rely on the federal government, plus your loan balance actually decreases (starting after the 3rd year). I'm not really sure how to quantify how much that is worth, but I think it's worth a lot. Furthermore, Columbia's IBR program has a significantly higher cap than NYU's.

The plus for NYU's is what was mentioned above, in that if you leave early they give you a pretty solid payment to help you out. There might be other pros for NYU's as well that I'm unaware of.

[TheKisSquared]

Columbia's LRAP is better than NYU's. To my knowledge, and if I'm wrong about this I'll rescind my statement, but for NYU's you have to use IBR/PSLF unless you don't qualify for PSLF. Most likely your job will.

Columbia has a fully funded, straight amortization option which IMO is huge. No need to rely on the federal government, plus your loan balance actually decreases (starting after the 3rd year). I'm not really sure how to quantify how much that is worth, but I think it's worth a lot. Furthermore, Columbia's IBR program has a significantly higher cap than NYU's.

The plus for NYU's is what was mentioned above, in that if you leave early they give you a pretty solid payment to help you out. There might be other pros for NYU's as well that I'm unaware of.

Plugging Fliptrip's amazing thread

[ih8makingscreennames]

Columbia's LRAP is better than NYU's. To my knowledge, and if I'm wrong about this I'll rescind my statement, but for NYU's you have to use IBR/PSLF unless you don't qualify for PSLF. Most likely your job will.

Columbia has a fully funded, straight amortization option which IMO is huge. No need to rely on the federal government, plus your loan balance actually decreases (starting after the 3rd year). I'm not really sure how to quantify how much that is worth, but I think it's worth a lot. Furthermore, Columbia's IBR program has a significantly higher cap than NYU's.

The plus for NYU's is what was mentioned above, in that if you leave early they give you a pretty solid payment to help you out. There might be other pros for NYU's as well that I'm unaware of.

My understanding was that if you do the straight plan you're paying 35% of everything over 50K. It's the PSLF one that has no cap (well I guess it doesn't matter what the cap is if you're paying that much). Whereas with NYU you can make up to 80K an do IBR and pay nothing. With my goals (gov at the moment) that agrees more with what I'm anticipating salary wise. Please correct me if I'm wrong because I don't wanna mess this up. I also couldn't tell if you any protection if you bowed out early of the Columbia one.

[somethingElse]

Columbia's LRAP is better than NYU's. To my knowledge, and if I'm wrong about this I'll rescind my statement, but for NYU's you have to use IBR/PSLF unless you don't qualify for PSLF. Most likely your job will.

Columbia has a fully funded, straight amortization option which IMO is huge. No need to rely on the federal government, plus your loan balance actually decreases (starting after the 3rd year). I'm not really sure how to quantify how much that is worth, but I think it's worth a lot. Furthermore, Columbia's IBR program has a significantly higher cap than NYU's.

The plus for NYU's is what was mentioned above, in that if you leave early they give you a pretty solid payment to help you out. There might be other pros for NYU's as well that I'm unaware of.

My understanding was that if you do the straight plan you're paying 35% of everything over 50K. It's the PSLF one that has no cap (well I guess it doesn't matter what the cap is if you're paying that much). Whereas with NYU you can make up to 80K an do IBR and pay nothing. With my goals (gov at the moment) that agrees more with what I'm anticipating salary wise. Please correct me if I'm wrong because I don't wanna mess this up. I also couldn't tell if you any protection if you bowed out early of the Columbia one.

You're correct for the straight am plan. But Columbia's IBR/PSLF plan is < 100k you pay nothing, over 100k you pay 34.5% of the amount over 100k. E.g. you make 110k you pay 3.45k. Columbia doesn't provide protection if you bow out early for the IBR/PSLF as far as I know. But the straight am plan, your LRAP loans are partially forgiven your 3rd and 4th year, and fully forgiven your 5th and once a year afterwards. So you can bow out in 5 years and have half your loan balance gone. But that's all under the straight am plan.

[ih8makingscreennames]

Columbia's LRAP is better than NYU's. To my knowledge, and if I'm wrong about this I'll rescind my statement, but for NYU's you have to use IBR/PSLF unless you don't qualify for PSLF. Most likely your job will.

Columbia has a fully funded, straight amortization option which IMO is huge. No need to rely on the federal government, plus your loan balance actually decreases (starting after the 3rd year). I'm not really sure how to quantify how much that is worth, but I think it's worth a lot. Furthermore, Columbia's IBR program has a significantly higher cap than NYU's.

The plus for NYU's is what was mentioned above, in that if you leave early they give you a pretty solid payment to help you out. There might be other pros for NYU's as well that I'm unaware of.

My understanding was that if you do the straight plan you're paying 35% of everything over 50K. It's the PSLF one that has no cap (well I guess it doesn't matter what the cap is if you're paying that much). Whereas with NYU you can make up to 80K an do IBR and pay nothing. With my goals (gov at the moment) that agrees more with what I'm anticipating salary wise. Please correct me if I'm wrong because I don't wanna mess this up. I also couldn't tell if you any protection if you bowed out early of the Columbia one.

You're correct for the straight am plan. But Columbia's IBR/PSLF plan is < 100k you pay nothing, over 100k you pay 34.5% of the amount over 100k. E.g. you make 110k you pay 3.45k. Columbia doesn't provide protection if you bow out early for the IBR/PSLF as far as I know. But the straight am plan, your LRAP loans are partially forgiven your 3rd and 4th year, and fully forgiven your 5th and once a year afterwards. So you can bow out in 5 years and have half your loan balance gone. But that's all under the straight am plan.

I still had a minor brain fart, but I got it now.

[darlenealderson]

Just got an email about webinars again...and still NOTHING from financial aid. I'm honestly so frustrated at this point.

[ih8makingscreennames]

Just got an email about webinars again...and still NOTHING from financial aid. I'm honestly so frustrated at this point.

word

[archipm]

Just got an email about webinars again...and still NOTHING from financial aid. I'm honestly so frustrated at this point.

Same.

[Paulaaxox]

Just got an email about webinars again...and still NOTHING from financial aid. I'm honestly so frustrated at this point.

Same.

Glad to know I'm not the only one SUPER frustrated by the lack of information about my aid.

[rfc180]

Called fin aid and they e-mailed my letter. Pleasantly surprised. Accepted 4/1.

[rfc180]

Oh.. and also checking in. Looking forward to seeing all you beautiful people this fall.

[rska884]

Hey guys - I know this is a bit odd to do here, but I found out recently that my roommate will be moving out over the summer (I think start of July). I live about 30 blocks north of the law school (about a five minute commute on the subway, I've been told there are busses in this city, and it's walkable in about 20 minutes when it's nice out). I'm a big fan of my neighborhood, and based on what I've seen from the law school, my apartment has bigger living spaces (although its just a 2BR, so probably smaller in square footage) and is around $400-500/month cheaper than the law school housing. If you have any interest to move in over the summer or at the start of the semester, hit me up and let's talk.

[theconsigliere]

just got my fin aid letter - 90k. I don't recall anyone reporting a >90k scholly other than Hamilton folks, but I could be wrong. Has anyone had any success in negotiating up from 90k? Columbia's estimated CoA for next year is $91,540...honestly I don't know why anyone without a Hamilton would go there.

[minionsunite]

Still waiting for my fin aid letter... Is there a fb page for Columbia c/o 2019?

[archipm]

Still waiting for my fin aid letter... Is there a fb page for Columbia c/o 2019?

Definitely call the financial aid office. I had to call a couple times but they ended up emailing it to me and were really nice on the phone despite being really unresponsive when I had previously emailed them.

[crescentstars]

Still waiting for my fin aid letter... Is there a fb page for Columbia c/o 2019?

Definitely call the financial aid office. I had to call a couple times but they ended up emailing it to me and were really nice on the phone despite being really unresponsive when I had previously emailed them.

+1 I called last week, and they were really helpful/responsive once I got connected. I got my aid letter ~3 days later.