UGA vs. UNC Forum

[d-cannon]

Hi All,

I just got accepted off of the UNC waitlist. Carolina was my #1 choice. I had mentally moved on to Athens (acceptance off of the waitlist seemed impossible), or so I thought... the UNC pull is strong. Please talk me into staying at UGA or coming back to UNC - feel free to bash the other choice.

I know that the USNWR "employed at graduation" stats are ~75% for UNC (and WF) and ~90% for UGA... Atlanta market>NC market, but who knows for sure with alleged number massaging at most schools.

Where can I pull up stats on how many and what firms attended OCIs at either campus? I would also like to see how these numbers have declined in the last few years.

Thanks to everyone who may contribute!

[d-cannon]

I have family close to UNC (my children's elderly grandparents) and have lived within the area most of my life... I have a level of excitement tempered with fear of the unknown in moving to and staying in GA for the next decade.

I signed a 3 year lease with a $12K penalty to break it in Oconee County... yikes!

[pinkzeppelin]

They're both great schools. If you really want to work in NC, then clearly UNC is the choice, but it sounds to me like you just have anxiety over trying something new. No need for anxiety though. GA is a great state to live in, and athens is awesome. I'd say go to whichever is cheaper, you'll be happy either way.

[AffirmativeOffense]

It's a wash. Go to the school in the state you want to practice in (preferably the one you have the most connections to).

[Grizz]

USNWR "employed at graduation" stats are ~75% for UNC (and WF) and ~90% for UGA... Atlanta market>NC market, but who knows for sure with alleged number massaging at most schools.

Where can I pull up stats on how many and what firms attended OCIs at either campus? I would also like to see how these numbers have declined in the last few years.

Employed at graduation is basically bullshit, because they count stuff like working at Chili's as employed. I wouldn't put too much stock in that.

In answer to your second question:

--LinkRemoved--

Honestly, pick a state you want to live in and go to school there. Unless one school is substantially cheaper. Then go to that school and live in that state for the rest of your life.

If you go to UNC, make sure you find a home for the UGA sticker I sent you.

[Emma1]

Well if you go to Georgia I would think about taking the bar examination in both states. You don't have to stay in one location for life, but could move to a different state after a few years if you really wanted to. Also you mentioned a $12,000 penalty. Can't you sublet if the owner doesn't get anyone else in there? I believe you have certain tenant rights regarding this deposit. It is a hard chice but both are very excitiing. Do you also have contacts in Georgia as well? I have friends who moved to the Atlanta area ( the suburbs) and they love it there. I couldn't get them out of Georgia for any reason. That said I heard North Carolina is a nice place to live too. I'm afraid only you can make this choice and either way you will be going to a really good law school. Good Luck!

[Grizz]

You don't have to stay in one location for life, but could move to a different state after a few years if you really wanted to.

"For life" is an obvious exaggeration, but I bet you won't want to leave your job, the clients you've accumulated, your contacts in the area, your significant other's job (if he/she has one), your house (if you're buying), etc. Much much harder than this poster makes it out to be. Again, pick a state you'd like to practice in.

[d-cannon]

In answer to your second question:

--LinkRemoved--

Thanks for the NALP info... so if I am extrapolating the data correctly...
I just clicked "Firms", a school in the campus interview section, and "search" and found:
UNC has 120 firms with 52 unique "brand" names compared to UGA's 74/28?!?

As I want to work in a firm... is my choice as easy as this or am I missing something? Would UNC potentially have almost twice the opportunities to interview on campus?

[Grizz]

In answer to your second question:

--LinkRemoved--

Thanks for the NALP info... so if I am extrapolating the data correctly...
I just clicked "Firms", a school in the campus interview section, and "search" and found:
UNC has 120 firms with 52 unique "brand" names compared to UGA's 74/28?!?

As I want to work in a firm... is my choice as easy as this or am I missing something? Would UNC potentially have almost twice the opportunities to interview on campus?

http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNL ... oginloop=o

However, pre-ITE, they had about the same NLJ250 placement. More interviewing firms =/= more hires, necessarily.

[Emma1]

Where you want to practice is number one! If you aren't sure, what type of law do you want to practice? Does either UGA or UNC have a better program in that speciality? Do you have any real business contacts in either state? What drew you to UGA and UNC initially? If you are now in NC maybe you should take another trip to UGA and go with your gut. There are going to be plenty of opportunties in either area. How many firms are in the Atlanta area that may practice the type of law your interested compared to where you want to practice in North Carolina? What type of compensation are they receiving (assuming that you can trust and interpret the data correctly)? Does one state have a better standard of living than another? Better schools for the kids? Also I see that you picked UGA over Wake Forest. There must have been compelling reasons to pick UGA over another good NC Law school. Have you had regrets over doing so? Sorry just playing devils advocate here. If you really can't decide .......go with the elderly grandparents and stay in NC.