<p>Hypothetical situation: Say that you are a California resident who got into a few lower T-14 schools and UCLA. You have in-state tuition at UCLA but no scholarship at the T-14. However they are ranked higher and give more national mobility. Where would you go? A private T-14 or UCLA? And say that you willing to work anywhere, but preferably Chicago or New York? Would you choose the school that's closest to these cities?</p>
<p>Quick question- how much is tuition for Ca residents? And how much will you really save over the 3 years. I may give you a different answer depending on if you are saving $30,000 vs. $70,000.</p>
<p>quick answer- if you are "only" saving around $40,000 and you want to work in Chicago or NY, you might be better off going to Cornell or NW than UCLA. </p>
<p>I wouldn't use cost savings as the sole way to pick a law school, but it can be factored into your decision.</p>
<p>If you wanted to stay on the west coast, UCLA may make more sense- but others may feel a T-14 degree will be more valuable in the long run.</p>
<p>Well only tuition and fees (excluding room & board) it's </p>
<p>~27,000 a year at UCLA
~47,000 a year at Cornell</p>
<p>So about 60,000 difference over 3 years.</p>
<p>I'd go to the T14. Like you said, coming out of UCLA, one's options would be more limited to the west coast. If I wanted to work in NY or Chicago, obviously Columbia, NYU, Chicago and NU come to mind, but I'm sure any T14 would open plenty of doors. So with the exception of those 4 schools, I wouldn't decide where to go (within the T14) based on proximity to NY or Chicago.</p>
<p>ok- my kid is graduating this May and will probably apply in the fall for LS. I have been on these boards for a while, and it has sort of been drummed into my head, that if you get a T-14 acceptance, you should take advantage of it.<br>
There may be exceptions for some, like a full ride at a T-20 but that is a decision each one has to make.
A savings of $60,000 is a good chunk of change, but over a lifetime of earnings, it probably is a small per cent.
Not that I am a fan of BIGLAW- but Sally just posted a list of Feeder schools into Big Law.
There is a difference in placement. UCLA placed 39.1 % whereas the lower T-14's placed as follows </p>
<p>NW 73.5 (maybe work experience is a good thing)
Cornell 62.2
Duke 59.3
Georgetown 48.5
something to think about!!</p>
<p>I assume you want to do "biglaw" based on prior posts. Those interested in public service should keep in mind that most public law schools--I don't know specifics about UCLA--have lousy loan forgiveness programs. That matters when you compare the cost.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies! Please keep them coming.
Do you think I have a shot of getting any scholarship at any T-14? (I'm a bit doubtful, but what do you guys think?)</p>
<p>I have a 172 LSAT and 3.75 LSAC GPA.</p>
<p>you have very solid #'s and should be successful with T-14 admission. Getting scholarship $ may be like playing the lottery- "you gotta be in it to win it!!" so you may as well apply to a bunch of schools.</p>
<p>2 suggestions
I'm guessing you are familiar with law school discussion .org and LSN. I'd find a few kids who have similar stats to you, check out the schools they applied to and see if anyone with similar stats got $. The fact that you are west coast, may make you a bit more geographically desireable than an east coast kid with similar stats.
I'm sure schools also may have particular scholarships based on interests, background etc. so I'd start checking out the LS websites if you haven't started already.
Gotta admit- I really am not well versed in details re: scholarships.<br>
But my gut feeling is that you are going to get some money from somewhere!!</p>
<p>Real nice stats! Congratulations.</p>