UG Dilemma
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 11:30 pm
Right now I am in a dilemma. My family is going through a rough time and my parents think I should transfer to a school closer to home so I can help out. This school is a top 10 regional university and the school I currently go to is top 50 national university. I'm worried that receiving my degree from this lesser known school might hurt me when applying for biglaw and clerkships.
Current national university:
- twice as expensive
- I work to provide for COL
- I think I'm also graded on a harsher curve...not sure though.
- I'm not well established in any clubs, etc
- decent (though not amazing) alumni network. many grads end up at T14
- has a law school with a great pre-law program (lots of publishing and interning opportunities)
Potential regional university:
- half of the cost
- free rent plus parents would give me an allowance
- since it's smaller, it's possible that I could gain a better standing in ECs (like mock trial)
- I'd have a better GPA since I wouldn't have to work
- probably no alumni network when it comes to looking for law job
- family also has some connections that could get me an internship
- I'd help out with my family that is struggling emotionally
I don't want to out myself on this board but I'll PM the 2 schools to anyone who's curious. FWIW, the school I'm considering is just as hard/easy to get into out of HS so it's not like I'd be all of a sudden going to school with a bunch of idiots and could easily get a 4.0. I also have no idea what the curve is like for the classes I'd take but I seriously doubt it would be harder.
Thanks in advance!!
Current national university:
- twice as expensive
- I work to provide for COL
- I think I'm also graded on a harsher curve...not sure though.
- I'm not well established in any clubs, etc
- decent (though not amazing) alumni network. many grads end up at T14
- has a law school with a great pre-law program (lots of publishing and interning opportunities)
Potential regional university:
- half of the cost
- free rent plus parents would give me an allowance
- since it's smaller, it's possible that I could gain a better standing in ECs (like mock trial)
- I'd have a better GPA since I wouldn't have to work
- probably no alumni network when it comes to looking for law job

- family also has some connections that could get me an internship
- I'd help out with my family that is struggling emotionally
I don't want to out myself on this board but I'll PM the 2 schools to anyone who's curious. FWIW, the school I'm considering is just as hard/easy to get into out of HS so it's not like I'd be all of a sudden going to school with a bunch of idiots and could easily get a 4.0. I also have no idea what the curve is like for the classes I'd take but I seriously doubt it would be harder.
Thanks in advance!!