UChicago v. Northwestern Forum

[Phattypattyfrost]

-

[Clemenceau]

Not sure I like the idea of breaking it down this way. At the end of the day, its a personal decision, not a formulaic one.

But most of your numbers seem reasonable except maybe #2. I just don't get the whole gunning for academia thing so idk

[Phattypattyfrost]

-

[Clemenceau]

Not sure I like the idea of breaking it down this way. At the end of the day, its a personal decision, not a formulaic one.

But most of your numbers seem reasonable except maybe #2. I just don't get the whole gunning for academia thing so idk

I just thought it'd be an interesting way of looking at it. Especially since, in this market, cost is one of the biggest concerns on TLS about attending law school. With that in mind, I was wondering where the value is given in the various opportunities afforded by different schools.

I only added #2 since people often play up how good the program is at UChicagi, it seemed like an obvious strength in need of mentioning. Especially since some people will be drawn to the school with this career in mind.

Yeah it totally makes sense what you're trying to do. I was just taking issue with the idea that there is a hard and fast number to put on these things.

[CanadianWolf]

My view is that if you are targeting Chicago biglaw, then any significantly higher scholarship offer from Northwestern makes both attractive. For federal judicial clerkships & academia, Chicago is the better choice unless Northwestern is offering $150,000 versus a 3 year total of $60,000 from Chicago.
Although Northwestern is a great law school, Chicago, in my opinion, is in a different class.

[CanadianWolf]

OP: My understanding is you were admitted to Chicago with a 164 LSAT score. Is that correct ? Congratulations !

[Phattypattyfrost]

-

[Phattypattyfrost]

-

[Phattypattyfrost]

-

[sandwhich]

OP have you visited the schools? I think people undervalue their own general impressions of a law school, especially in situations such as yours where you face a close call.

To clarify, I mean that enjoying where you go can go a long way. Law school is a grind. And you don't want to be depressed just from showing up, you've got 1L to take care of that for you.

[Phattypattyfrost]

-

[sandwhich]

OP have you visited the schools? I think people undervalue their own general impressions of a law school, especially in situations such as yours where you face a close call.

To clarify, I mean that enjoying where you go can go a long way. Law school is a grind. And you don't want to be depressed just from showing up, you've got 1L to take care of that for you.

Haha valid point. I'm visiting UChicago the weekend after next so I will get to see it. I feel like this is often overlooked and I'm glad you mentioned it. Northwestern's ASW was awesome, and the people there are great so it will be hard to beat. Thanks again for the input.

I just returned from visiting UChi and Chicago and I had a blast. The UChi campus is breathtaking. But I did see NU, and it seems very nice also, especially for an urban school.

Another thing to consider is the class sizes. Chi's class is itty bitty (~200) while NU's is closer to 300 which I think is more average among law schools. If you have a preference there, it might be something to consider.

Either way, yours is a good problem to have. Congrats and good luck on your decision. I don't think you'll end up regretting it if you chose either.

[CanadianWolf]

OP: Did you receive any money from either law school ?

[Fiero85]

OP: My understanding is you were admitted to Chicago with a 164 LSAT score. Is that correct ? Congratulations !

Yeah, I didn't want to highlight this for fear of getting 'TCR is retake and enjoy Yale OP'. I don't want this conversation to devolve into that. I'd rather get TLS' take on what they value in each school. But thanks for the congratulations!

Pretty sure any sensible TLSer would tell you that TCR is retake and get a fully to UChi or NU based on your goals.

Which is objectively good advice.

[Phattypattyfrost]

OP: Did you receive any money from either law school ?

Yeah, I received good money from both.

NU - $120,000
UChi - $75,000

I submitted another reconsideration form to NU but I doubt they will give me any more. I'm content with this amount of money from both and I think that I should try and make my decision based on these scholarship amounts. Basically, I'm not retaking. But if it makes everyone feel better to tell me to retake and that I'm an idiot if I don't then have at it. I hate to break the mold but I like my options as they are. Even if I drown in an insufferable amount of debt...

[Phattypattyfrost]

OP have you visited the schools? I think people undervalue their own general impressions of a law school, especially in situations such as yours where you face a close call.

To clarify, I mean that enjoying where you go can go a long way. Law school is a grind. And you don't want to be depressed just from showing up, you've got 1L to take care of that for you.

Haha valid point. I'm visiting UChicago the weekend after next so I will get to see it. I feel like this is often overlooked and I'm glad you mentioned it. Northwestern's ASW was awesome, and the people there are great so it will be hard to beat. Thanks again for the input.

I just returned from visiting UChi and Chicago and I had a blast. The UChi campus is breathtaking. But I did see NU, and it seems very nice also, especially for an urban school.

Another thing to consider is the class sizes. Chi's class is itty bitty (~200) while NU's is closer to 300 which I think is more average among law schools. If you have a preference there, it might be something to consider.

Either way, yours is a good problem to have. Congrats and good luck on your decision. I don't think you'll end up regretting it if you chose either.

Awesome to hear! I'm really excited about visiting the campus and I like the idea of a smaller class. I did a program at my undergrad that was roughly 240 people and I liked it a lot. I feel like there will be more individual attention given to us.

[Mullens]

OP have you visited the schools? I think people undervalue their own general impressions of a law school, especially in situations such as yours where you face a close call.

To clarify, I mean that enjoying where you go can go a long way. Law school is a grind. And you don't want to be depressed just from showing up, you've got 1L to take care of that for you.

Haha valid point. I'm visiting UChicago the weekend after next so I will get to see it. I feel like this is often overlooked and I'm glad you mentioned it. Northwestern's ASW was awesome, and the people there are great so it will be hard to beat. Thanks again for the input.

I just returned from visiting UChi and Chicago and I had a blast. The UChi campus is breathtaking. But I did see NU, and it seems very nice also, especially for an urban school.

Another thing to consider is the class sizes. Chi's class is itty bitty (~200) while NU's is closer to 300 which I think is more average among law schools. If you have a preference there, it might be something to consider.

Either way, yours is a good problem to have. Congrats and good luck on your decision. I don't think you'll end up regretting it if you chose either.

Awesome to hear! I'm really excited about visiting the campus and I like the idea of a smaller class. I did a program at my undergrad that was roughly 240 people and I liked it a lot. I feel like there will be more individual attention given to us.

NU's 1L class last year was 228 students. It's not appreciably larger than UChi

[Wild Card]

I was about to say, I believe Chicago is worth $60,000 more than Northwestern, but don't go if Chicago offers you less than $60,000: $75,000 is generous, and $90,000 is reserved for candidates above both medians.

As for why I like the $60,000 figure: it's the average annual household income in the US.

[CanadianWolf]

Great offers. Visit both & decide. No need to retake unless you want Harvard (which only awards need based financial aid.) Chicago is a great city. Good luck !

[Mack.Hambleton]

maybe I missed it but what are your goals?

[Fiero85]

Great offers. Visit both & decide. No need to retake unless you want Harvard (which only awards need based financial aid) >>>or money to UChi <<<. Chicago is a great city. Good luck !

FTFY

OP: that's a good offer for NU. If you really want UChi, which it seems like you do, you would be a fool to not think about retaking for more $. Could be 30-80k of tax free money and the best pay per hour of your life. If that's not appealing, idk what is.

But with that fully mentioned, I digress.