NYU v GULC Forum

[dc_diva]

Hi everyone! Hoping for some insight here...any thoughts are appreciated!

I've been offered 97.5k at GULC and 60k at NYU. Originally I was interested in direct representation/child advocacy, but I've expanded my interests a bit recently. Still pretty PI oriented but I'm now also looking at gov positions (congressional committees/big fed), and am not totally opposed to doing a few years Big Law. Clerking is also something that's interesting, but I'm not dead set on it. Basically, I want to keep my options open for now.

Pros for GULC:
If you can't tell from the name, I currently live in DC. I worked for 3 years as a paralegal at the DC branch of a top NY firm, so I have a ton of connections here if I want to tap into them. My significant other is in the military and is based in DC until 2019. Because we live together cost of living would be considerably cheaper for better than what I'd get near NYU. I definitely want to work in DC after graduation, so would it be better to keep working the connections I already have here?

Pros for NYU:
Obviously, it's an objectively better program/more prestigious. Definitely the place to be for PI, if I keep going down that route. Close to DC so I could probably make that work better with the SO (rather than west coast schools for example). Although I have little interest in working in NYC long term, it could be a cool experience to live there for a few years.

I've heard a lot about the DC market being too saturated for GULC students to have any home-city advantage, but I'm not sure how much I buy that from what I've seen here in DC. Either school isn't going to get me a "unicorn" PI job, and both seem to be okay at placement with DC Big Law (I'm not looking for NY placement), and it seems that either would be fine for direct representation too.

I'm not sure how to weigh prestige/rankings against current connections/SO/lower cost of living.

Numbers, if they matter: 3.6/168

Either way, I'm waitlisted at HLS and will ride that until August.

Sorry if this is rambling, just trying to get some initial thoughts out there but have to run back to work!

[cavalier1138]

NYU is by far the better option between the two.

That said, it's still pretty damn expensive. You didn't have any other offers?

[dc_diva]

NYU is by far the better option between the two.

That said, it's still pretty damn expensive. You didn't have any other offers?

I did, but based on geographical factors they aren't really in the running.

[grades??]

NYU is by far the better option between the two.

That said, it's still pretty damn expensive. You didn't have any other offers?

I did, but based on geographical factors they aren't really in the running.

Well can you please tell us? It is relevant.

[jbagelboy]

You were WL'd at H with a 168/3.6?

[dc_diva]

NYU is by far the better option between the two.

That said, it's still pretty damn expensive. You didn't have any other offers?

I did, but based on geographical factors they aren't really in the running.

Well can you please tell us? It is relevant.

Michigan with 105k, Berkeley with 60k, and Cornell with 60k...also got USC, GW, and UCLA with some money but not enough for them to be relevant.

[dc_diva]

You were WL'd at H with a 168/3.6?

Yep! Waitlisted after an interview.

[grades??]

NYU is by far the better option between the two.

That said, it's still pretty damn expensive. You didn't have any other offers?

I did, but based on geographical factors they aren't really in the running.

Well can you please tell us? It is relevant.

Michigan with 105k, Berkeley with 60k, and Cornell with 60k...also got USC, GW, and UCLA with some money but not enough for them to be relevant.

I mean this is clearly Michigan being the right choice. Cheaper than GT, much better options, and NYU isn't worth that much more than Michigan.

[Alexandros]

I know it's irritating to be told C when you ask A or B, but Michigan is clearly the right choice here.

[lakers180]

michigan's the best option if you can get past the location issue

[SmokeytheBear]

I know it's irritating to be told C when you ask A or B, but Michigan is clearly the right choice here.

[kingpin101]

Are you URM or something? How do you have these options with those numbers? (Also Michigan)

[existentialcrisis]

I guess it's not a huge deal, because you don't seem dead set on biglaw, but if you're a median student at either of these schools, going all in on D.C. puts you at serious risk of striking out. Unless your connections are the kind that can get you a job regardless of your grades.

[dc_diva]

Are you URM or something? How do you have these options with those numbers? (Also Michigan)

Not a conventional URM, but I did write a diversity statement so that may have been a factor. I worked hard to make sure the rest of my application package made up for the numbers, but what specifically made things go the way they did is hard to tell!

[Pure Applesauce]

Michigan

[dc_diva]

Thanks to everyone who responded! I know Michigan is objectively the best option, but if anyone has input/factors to consider on the original question of NYU/GULC it would be much appreciated. No worries if not!

[Pure Applesauce]

Thanks to everyone who responded! I know Michigan is objectively the best option, but if anyone has input/factors to consider on the original question of NYU/GULC it would be much appreciated. No worries if not!

Michigan. That is my response to the original question. NYU and GULC are both too expensive at those prices.

[Npret]

Thanks to everyone who responded! I know Michigan is objectively the best option, but if anyone has input/factors to consider on the original question of NYU/GULC it would be much appreciated. No worries if not!

How much debt at repayement will you have from each school?
If you really want D.C. and your SO is there, go to Georgetown. You don't seem clear what you want so just go for the cheaper, happier option.

[Npret]

Thanks to everyone who responded! I know Michigan is objectively the best option, but if anyone has input/factors to consider on the original question of NYU/GULC it would be much appreciated. No worries if not!

Michigan. That is my response to the original question. NYU and GULC are both too expensive at those prices.

OP has already rejected Michigan most likely because of the SO relationship which makes sense to me.

[grades??]

Thanks to everyone who responded! I know Michigan is objectively the best option, but if anyone has input/factors to consider on the original question of NYU/GULC it would be much appreciated. No worries if not!

Literally the answer is Michigan. GT has significantly worse employment options and will be significantly more expensive. This is a no-brainer and you would be silly to take that option. But do what you want, its just a stupid idea

[jbagelboy]

Between NYU and GULC, the answer is obviously NYU. It's definitely worth $35k over any non-T13 or regional school. These schools are in different categories. There is no question.

[jbagelboy]

You were WL'd at H with a 168/3.6?

Yep! Waitlisted after an interview.

URM?

[Npret]

No retake option?

[Pure Applesauce]

You were WL'd at H with a 168/3.6?

Yep! Waitlisted after an interview.

URM?

Not a conventional URM, but I did write a diversity statement so that may have been a factor. I worked hard to make sure the rest of my application package made up for the numbers, but what specifically made things go the way they did is hard to tell!

[jbagelboy]

You were WL'd at H with a 168/3.6?

Yep! Waitlisted after an interview.

URM?

Not a conventional URM, but I did write a diversity statement so that may have been a factor. I worked hard to make sure the rest of my application package made up for the numbers, but what specifically made things go the way they did is hard to tell!

my b