NU Apps '11-'12 - Good Luck Hold Candidates!!!! <3 Forum

[bbalcrzy23]

Anyone in here planning on choosing between NU and GULC if accepted to both?
I'm hoping to be in that position; it's going to be a tough choice. Anyone want to discuss?

My impression is that, barring a large GULC scholly, everyone in here would pick NU.

Yup. This is definitely true of me.

I guess that was kind of vague. I agree that everyone in here would most likely choose NU barring no large GULC scholarship. I just want to hear some reasons....biglaw placement? smaller class size? more mature/experienced student body? practical/mba-esque approach to law?

I plan to focus in IP, so that draws me a bit to DC. However, from what I gather, working in DC after an NU JD should not be too difficult.

I made quite a few contacts with random IP attorneys at prestigious firms around the country before I quit my current job and decided to pursue law school, so I plan on getting some of their advice once I'm officially choosing between GULC and NU. I will report my findings afterwards.

I bet this has been discussed already, but I assume part of NU's great job placement is a factor of a student body with real work experience. Would a biglaw firm dig deeper into a GULC class for someone with work experience?

While NU has the smaller class size, GULC has the larger alumni network. Do those advantages balance out?

Just looking to start some preliminary discussions that I'm sure will benefit a lot of people. We have a lot of waiting to do anyway....

[STLMizzou]

From everything I have read, even within in t14 in the current market things have gotten even more regional than they were before.

Meaning both GULC and NU have a shot at upper east coast firms, but if you want to work in Midwest big law then NU is better, if you want to work South East/DC then GULC is better. Right now both the Chicago and DC law markets are so over-saturated that the best jobs in those areas will probably go to people with regional ties first because they are less of a flight risk.

I would rather go to NU because I already live in Chicago, and want to work in the Midwest post-grad (the added job placement bump and practical experience doesn't hurt though). I personally have no desire to work east coast, so I didn't even apply to GULC.

While both can get jobs in the others region, it is easier to get your foot in the door when the door is a block away. Get what I am saying?

[crumpetsandtea]

I guess that was kind of vague. I agree that everyone in here would most likely choose NU barring no large GULC scholarship. I just want to hear some reasons....biglaw placement? smaller class size? more mature/experienced student body? practical/mba-esque approach to law?

In my opinion, school choice is a very personal decision. Some people might be focused on prestige, some on biglawl employment, others on location, and still others on public interest or government work. It's really hard for one person to be able to compare their reasons to anyone else, unless they have very similar goals and life situations.

For me personally, Northwestern is my top choice for a variety of reasons, some of which are: it prefers WE, which gives me a boost in admissions ; it has a very strong reputation for biglaw placement, which benefits me because I have a history of PI work (which means that at a school that focuses on biglaw, I get more options for employment) ; I prefer the Chicago location over DC (because I like the city more and because my SO lives there) ; I love the campus, student body, and admissions/admin that I have come into contact with.

I, however, would never consider going into IP law--I don't have the requisite background for the field. TBH, if you're interested in IP law it seems like a smarter choice would be to head to Silicon Valley and go to Stanford or Berkeley, where all the engineering companies are, so you can make connections in the field related to your interests. But again, I don't know anything about IP law so perhaps that's not the best tactic.

Another thing to consider is the idea of 'counting your chickens before they hatch' If you really want to discuss GULC vs. NU specifically, you might be able to get more feedback/different sides of the debate if you posted a hypothetical to the Choosing a Law School forum. Here, I think the majority of responses will be slanted towards NU. Of course, you're free to continue the discussion here!

[bbalcrzy23]

From everything I have read, even within in t14 in the current market things have gotten even more regional than they were before.

Meaning both GULC and NU have a shot at upper east coast firms, but if you want to work in Midwest big law then NU is better, if you want to work South East/DC then GULC is better. Right now both the Chicago and DC law markets are so over-saturated that the best jobs in those areas will probably go to people with regional ties first because they are less of a flight risk.

I would rather go to NU because I already live in Chicago, and want to work in the Midwest post-grad (the added job placement bump and practical experience doesn't hurt though). I personally have no desire to work east coast, so I didn't even apply to GULC.

While both can get jobs in the others region, it is easier to get your foot in the door when the door is a block away. Get what I am saying?

Good points. I think it would be a bit easier for me to go from NU --> DC....than GULC --> Chicago.

I guess that was kind of vague. I agree that everyone in here would most likely choose NU barring no large GULC scholarship. I just want to hear some reasons....biglaw placement? smaller class size? more mature/experienced student body? practical/mba-esque approach to law?

In my opinion, school choice is a very personal decision. Some people might be focused on prestige, some on biglawl employment, others on location, and still others on public interest or government work. It's really hard for one person to be able to compare their reasons to anyone else, unless they have very similar goals and life situations.

For me personally, Northwestern is my top choice for a variety of reasons, some of which are: it prefers WE, which gives me a boost in admissions ; it has a very strong reputation for biglaw placement, which benefits me because I have a history of PI work (which means that at a school that focuses on biglaw, I get more options for employment) ; I prefer the Chicago location over DC (because I like the city more and because my SO lives there) ; I love the campus, student body, and admissions/admin that I have come into contact with.

I, however, would never consider going into IP law--I don't have the requisite background for the field. TBH, if you're interested in IP law it seems like a smarter choice would be to head to Silicon Valley and go to Stanford or Berkeley, where all the engineering companies are, so you can make connections in the field related to your interests. But again, I don't know anything about IP law so perhaps that's not the best tactic.

Another thing to consider is the idea of 'counting your chickens before they hatch' If you really want to discuss GULC vs. NU specifically, you might be able to get more feedback/different sides of the debate if you posted a hypothetical to the Choosing a Law School forum. Here, I think the majority of responses will be slanted towards NU. Of course, you're free to continue the discussion here!

I agree that it's a very tailored and personal decision. I'm not at the point yet to make that decision, so I was just looking for particular reasons people are choosing NU/GULC. Of course they won't fit my situation per se, but it's interesting and helpful to hear how others are deciding. Your reasons make a lot of sense. I also really enjoyed my interaction with the current student body and admissions/admin (law school forums/interview/tour). They seemed to have wayyyy more pride in their school than any other school I interacted with....(my handwritten note from the GULC dean didn't even make sense).

While Silicon Valley is a great place to do IP, I want to stay closer to the east coast (family/friends).

Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely leaning more towards NU. Hopefully we will all receive good news in January.

[emkay625]

Anyone in here planning on choosing between NU and GULC if accepted to both?
I'm hoping to be in that position; it's going to be a tough choice. Anyone want to discuss?

My impression is that, barring a large GULC scholly, everyone in here would pick NU.

I would pick NU hands down. I have no desire to live in dc.

[elibrarian]

I love the NU love in here.

[rinkrat19]

I love the NU love in here.

I got a new work computer on Friday, and switched from dual 19" non-widescreens to dual 21" widescreens. So of course I needed new desktop wallpaper...

(L to R: Stained glass in the atrium; front door of Levy Meyer Hall; campus, the park across the street, and Navy Pier from the Hancock Building; stained glass in Levy Meyer stairway)

[Tom in Ohio]

Anyone in here planning on choosing between NU and GULC if accepted to both?
I'm hoping to be in that position; it's going to be a tough choice. Anyone want to discuss?

My impression is that, barring a large GULC scholly, everyone in here would pick NU.

I'm not so sure. If I had to choose between the two with no $$$, I might choose GULC because I have a family to move. We want to end up in the N. Virginia area, so going to GULC would involve moving my family once.

I'm hoping someone offers me a deal that I can't refuse, though, to make my decision an easy one.

[JamMasterJ]

Anyone in here planning on choosing between NU and GULC if accepted to both?
I'm hoping to be in that position; it's going to be a tough choice. Anyone want to discuss?

My impression is that, barring a large GULC scholly, everyone in here would pick NU.

I'm not so sure. If I had to choose between the two with no $$$, I might choose GULC because I have a family to move. We want to end up in the N. Virginia area, so going to GULC would involve moving my family once.

I'm hoping someone offers me a deal that I can't refuse, though, to make my decision an easy one.

I think he was referring to the people who have been very active in the thread

[lsatcrazy]

Anyone in here planning on choosing between NU and GULC if accepted to both?
I'm hoping to be in that position; it's going to be a tough choice. Anyone want to discuss?

My impression is that, barring a large GULC scholly, everyone in here would pick NU.

I'm not so sure. If I had to choose between the two with no $$$, I might choose GULC because I have a family to move. We want to end up in the N. Virginia area, so going to GULC would involve moving my family once.

I'm hoping someone offers me a deal that I can't refuse, though, to make my decision an easy one.

I think he was referring to the people who have been very active in the thread

Correct. From what I've seen, Pro-NU and Anti-GULC sentiments are pretty ubiquitous on TLS.

[foxylaxy]

I agree that it's a very tailored and personal decision. I'm not at the point yet to make that decision, so I was just looking for particular reasons people are choosing NU/GULC. Of course they won't fit my situation per se, but it's interesting and helpful to hear how others are deciding. Your reasons make a lot of sense. I also really enjoyed my interaction with the current student body and admissions/admin (law school forums/interview/tour). They seemed to have wayyyy more pride in their school than any other school I interacted with....(my handwritten note from the GULC dean didn't even make sense).

While Silicon Valley is a great place to do IP, I want to stay closer to the east coast (family/friends).

Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely leaning more towards NU. Hopefully we will all receive good news in January.

FWIW my cousin and his wife both graduated from gulc. He is doing PI and has his debt paid off (not sure if it's from his work/LRAP or a combination) and she is doing IP. Both are now living in Chicago.

[foxylaxy]

NU just gave me a heart attack for Christmas. And a greeting card which is a nice sentiment now that I'm breathing normally again.

+1

[rinkrat19]

I agree that it's a very tailored and personal decision. I'm not at the point yet to make that decision, so I was just looking for particular reasons people are choosing NU/GULC. Of course they won't fit my situation per se, but it's interesting and helpful to hear how others are deciding. Your reasons make a lot of sense. I also really enjoyed my interaction with the current student body and admissions/admin (law school forums/interview/tour). They seemed to have wayyyy more pride in their school than any other school I interacted with....(my handwritten note from the GULC dean didn't even make sense).

While Silicon Valley is a great place to do IP, I want to stay closer to the east coast (family/friends).

Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely leaning more towards NU. Hopefully we will all receive good news in January.

FWIW my cousin and his wife both graduated from gulc. He is doing PI and has his debt paid off (not sure if it's from his work/LRAP or a combination) and she is doing IP. Both are now living in Chicago.

When did they graduate? Before 2009 was like a rainbow candy fantasy world.

[emkay625]

When did they graduate? Before 2009 was like a rainbow candy fantasy world.

My new goal in life is to live in a rainbow candy fantasy world. That sounds fun. And like there'd be a lot of Stolli. And debauchery. Combined with funfetti cupcakes.

[rinkrat19]

When did they graduate? Before 2009 was like a rainbow candy fantasy world.

My new goal in life is to live in a rainbow candy fantasy world. That sounds fun. And like there'd be a lot of Stolli. And debauchery. Combined with funfetti cupcakes.

And we'd all ride around on floating clouds of cotton candy!

My condo smells like a candy world right now. Got a batch of almond roca on the stove!

[emkay625]

When did they graduate? Before 2009 was like a rainbow candy fantasy world.

My new goal in life is to live in a rainbow candy fantasy world. That sounds fun. And like there'd be a lot of Stolli. And debauchery. Combined with funfetti cupcakes.

And we'd all ride around on floating clouds of cotton candy!

My condo smells like a candy world right now. Got a batch of almond roca on the stove!

This also seems awesome. We can make your apartment the capitol of Rainbow Candy Fantasy World (which now requires capitalization since it is now for realsssss)

[Flips88]

FWIW my cousin and his wife both graduated from gulc. He is doing PI and has his debt paid off (not sure if it's from his work/LRAP or a combination) and she is doing IP. Both are now living in Chicago.

When did they graduate? Before 2009 was like a rainbow candy fantasy world.

He either went with scholarship and had low debt or graduated a good while ago and paid it off. The loan forgiveness 10 year wipe thing didn't get passed by congress until 2007. No idea how LRAP/IBR worked before then though.

[foxylaxy]

FWIW my cousin and his wife both graduated from gulc. He is doing PI and has his debt paid off (not sure if it's from his work/LRAP or a combination) and she is doing IP. Both are now living in Chicago.

When did they graduate? Before 2009 was like a rainbow candy fantasy world.

Yes before 2009. I don't think he had much scholarship either for the poster above since he mentioned to me that he wasnt even on the "priority" or whatever it is called wait list but the lower one. The dean dug his sense of humor in his ps I guess.

[Samara]

All being equal, if you want IP, I think GULC over NU is pretty credited. However, I wouldn't be doing my job as an NU troll if I didn't point out that NU's biglaw placement is much, much stronger than GULC's. ITE, biggov is extremely competitive, while biglaw is still highly attainable for T14 students, even if no longer guaranteed. Granted, part of NU's high biglaw placement is likely due to the prevalence of WE, so if you have good WE you may be able to outperform your class rank at GULC a little. However, NU averages about 20 percentage points better biglaw + A3 clerkship placement, so unless you are biggov or bust, NU is going to give you more secure placement options, especially if you are looking at paying sticker at both places.

Some personal reasons NU is my number one choice: I am Chicago market or bust. Unless I pull off a miracle at UChi or H, NU gives me the best shot at Chicago biglaw, hands down. It's location also means that my wife and I get to stay close to our families, which is a big plus for her.

Some not-so-personal reasons I love NU over its peers: My interactions with the admissions staff have been exceedingly pleasant. Only Michigan rivals NU in this department. I know it sounds silly, but I like that NU really seems to value me as a person and as a prospective student more than other schools do, which I appreciate.

On a similar note, I love the vibe I get from NU. I'm a slightly older student with several years of WE, so I really appreciate the professional atmosphere there. I also really like everyone I have met associated with the law school, both IRL and on TLS. NU feels like somewhere I would really fit in, much more so than other schools.

The location and campus is if of course amazing. Downtown Chicago, on the lake. Enough said. As previously mentioned, NU places quite strongly into biglaw for its ranking. NU also has a full complement of clinics and journals, so you definitely won't be hurting there.

Choosing a school is obviously a very personal decision, but for me there is no comparison. (Can I submit this post as another, probably better, why NU? )

[bdubs]

All being equal, if you want IP, I think GULC over NU is pretty credited.

I think for most people this is wrong. There are certain patent related things in DC that might be more accessible to GULC students, like internships during the semester. However, this just isn't very relevant to your primary job search after 1L year. Patent firms are not heavily concentrated in DC, I think because patent prosecution isn't really as location dependent as other regulatory issues. You're much better off being at median at NU than median at GULC (or pretty much any other spot other than bottom 20% or so, where you are f*cked either way).

If you want to do something really specific in patent law that is really heavily centered in DC (maybe appellate stuff at COA for Fed. Cir. or something), then GULC makes sense. Most people don't have that kind of weird, ultra-specific career goal though.

[elibrarian]

I love the NU love in here.

I got a new work computer on Friday, and switched from dual 19" non-widescreens to dual 21" widescreens. So of course I needed new desktop wallpaper...

(L to R: Stained glass in the atrium; front door of Levy Meyer Hall; campus, the park across the street, and Navy Pier from the Hancock Building; stained glass in Levy Meyer stairway)

I love that. I just have a tiny little NU picture on my (single) work computer.

[Samara]

All being equal, if you want IP, I think GULC over NU is pretty credited.

I think for most people this is wrong. There are certain patent related things in DC that might be more accessible to GULC students, like internships during the semester. However, this just isn't very relevant to your primary job search after 1L year. Patent firms are not heavily concentrated in DC, I think because patent prosecution isn't really as location dependent as other regulatory issues. You're much better off being at median at NU than median at GULC (or pretty much any other spot other than bottom 20% or so, where you are f*cked either way).

If you want to do something really specific in patent law that is really heavily centered in DC (maybe appellate stuff at COA for Fed. Cir. or something), then GULC makes sense. Most people don't have that kind of weird, ultra-specific career goal though.

It was my understanding that GULC was advantageous because a large chunk of prestigious IP jobs are government jobs. I thought that was largely why GW has a high ranking in IP. Is that not the case?

[JustE]

"@tweetsbyjohann: Off-site right now. Been told some decisions may release today."


Soooo.... Does that mean RD? ED Folks who were held? I'll be a little pissed if they admit RD before the binding ED folks... Guess we'll see soon...

[emkay625]

whatever it means it makes me smile.

[elibrarian]

"@tweetsbyjohann: Off-site right now. Been told some decisions may release today."


Soooo.... Does that mean RD? ED Folks who were held? I'll be a little pissed if they admit RD before the binding ED folks... Guess we'll see soon...

Hoping to see some acceptances today for you all!