<p>Where do you suggest I go? Can you give me more information?</p>
<p>Goal: Getting into a good law school
Intended Major: Political Science or Economics
I may or may not debate -- it's my big question mark. If I do debate, I will want to do it HARD-CORE (as I did in high school). I don't know if it will help getting into law school or not yet.</p>
<p>All of your choices have the advantage of similar academic prestige.</p>
<p>IMO, Berkeley is not worth the cost over U Mich since you're in-state there.
If NU or Cornell is not much more expensive than U Mich, I would consider these choices.</p>
<p>However, U Mich Honors I think has the right combo of academic prestige and low cost. I would go there.</p>
<p>Yeah, unless money is no object it should go down to how much debt each school would leave you in. As far as prestige, Berkeley ~= Cornell > NU = ~= UMich Honors. I would choose UMich but ultimately you should either choose the one that leaves you with the least debt or the one that fits other criteria, like rank for your major or debate or w/e.</p>
<p>I would go with UMich, given the fact that you'll save around $100,000. The other schools are strong, no doubt, but none are worth paying a premium of 100k for.</p>
<p>For law school admissions, the "prestige" factor is the same for these fine institutions. In other words, a 3.5 is a 3.5, whether from Cornell or UMich. </p>
<p>Cal is not worth the price OOS over Mich. For that kinda money, go private.</p>
<p>Brownflavors, Michigan will cost you $25,000/year, and that's assuming they did not give you merit scholies. The other three schools would cost you anywhere from $45,000/$50,000/year. Over 4 years, you could save anywhere from $80,000/$100,000. That's the equivallent of two years of Law School. Did you get any aid from Cal, Cornell or NU? If not, I would say go to Michigan. Take it from a Michigan and Cornell alum, there is not appreciable difference in the quality of education of prestige levels of those two schools. I also don't think there is a significant difference between Michigan and Cal or NU....certainly not one that can justify spending an extra $80-$100k .</p>
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As far as prestige, Berkeley ~= Cornell > NU = ~= UMich Honors.
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<p>I don't know about that, esp. for law school admission. Last I saw the list, NU placed higher fraction of grads into HY law schools. I'd say they are all very much equal.</p>
<p>UCBChemGrad -- thank you.
Bluebayou -- very interesting! I had not heard that before.
Alexandre -- again, very interesting - I have seen your other posts on this issue.
Patlees88 -- what does Cornell provide that arguably makes its cost justifiable over UMich?
Sam Lee -- do you have a link to those statistics? Sorry if they are easily available, just point me in that direction then.</p>
<p>With regards to cost, these are the arguments I have heard justifying the other schools over UMich - I haven't decided if they're convincing.
Cornell - recruiters, east coast, and ivy league. This means that it is more prestigious, and likely makes it easier to get internships etc.</p>
<p>Berkeley - It is on the West coast and you get the west coast connection and weather. As someone else said, it's more prestigious.</p>
<p>Northwestern - debate+northwestern education leads to really, really good law school acceptances.</p>
<p>to be honest with you, I wouldn't worry about which school places better than the other w/ law school. Schools like Harvard, Yale, Pton, Stanford, and few others are exceptionally better than other schools in law school placement. But, NU or Cornell aren't gonna give you much of a leg over someone from UMich. If I were you, I would only spend extra 100k to go to schools like HYPS over UMich, considering better law school placement.</p>
<p>I don't think it's so easy to become a California resident. You might have to take a year off and work full-time in California to do that. I don't think being a student for two years is enough.</p>
<p>I don't think that University of Michigan will limit your law school horizons at all.</p>
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Berkeley - you can become a resident after two years and the extra 50k is justified because it is on the West coast and you get the west coast connection and weather. As someone else said, it's more prestigious.
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<p>:D It is more prestigious, IMHO.</p>
<p>However, you're a little misguided thinking that you'll be able to establish residency after 2 years attending Berkeley and then qualify for in-state tuition. It's not that easy.</p>
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To be considered a California resident for purposes of fees, an out-of-state student must have lived in California for more than one year preceding the residence determination date, relinquish residence in other states, show an intent to establish residency in California and demonstrate financial independence.
<p>Those in the know are aware that Honors at Mich, Berkeley, UCLA, UVA, UNC (maybe a couple more top tier publics) implies the student probably was accepted to several top 20 schools, perhaps top 10.</p>
<p>Go Michigan Honors. Huge school with great social life, special treatment because of Honors, certainly higher gpa than the other three with equivalent amount of work. And before anybody comments on that, I am convinced that graduate schools do <em>not</em> adequately normalize gpas from harder vs. easier grading schools..</p>