Michigan ($$) vs. Columbia ($) Forum

[dclaw93]

Would appreciate any advice on this. I visited Michigan and really liked AA and both the current and prospective students I met. Haven’t visited CLS specifically, but have visited Columbia twice before I was planning on LS.

I’ve already deposited at Michigan – CLS just made this offer in the past few days so I’ll try to get more money from Michigan based on this.

The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each. COA = cost of tuition + fees + books + cost of living (COL) + accumulated interest - scholarships.
Columbia - $25,000/year scholarship = $222,000 estimated debt at repayment
Michigan - $40,000/year scholarship = $126,000 estimated debt at repayment
How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
Financing COA with loans. Have a decent amount in personal savings (`$20k) but I’m planning on using this to cover 1L summer living expenses (assuming unpaid) and the remainder as an emergency fund.
Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)
Have significant ties to both DC & Boston. I would like to work in either, with DC being my top choice (I know this will be hard from either school). Would be open to working in NYC or Chicago too.
Your general career goals
BigLaw, leaning towards transactional. Would like to go in-house after a few years (3-5) in BL.
Your LSAT/GPA numbers
LSAT: 172, GPA: 3.49
How many times you have taken the LSAT
1 time. I’m open to postponing a year & retaking, I’m just not sure how much this would help given my numbers/the fact that I’m already above the 75th for most of the T14.

[Po$eidon]

Michigan. It's not close. That's a big money differential and retaking is unlikely to do much of anything - it's your GPA that's holding you back. You have beneric biglaw goals and UMich should be good enough if you do moderately well.

[UVA2B]

Michigan. Columbia is not worth $100k more than Michigan.

[SmokeytheBear]

Michigan is a good outcome for your numbers and goals. Congrats and enjoy!

[dclaw93]

Thanks to everyone for responding/voting!

I thought Michigan would be the winner but I'm surprising Columbia's getting shut out. Anyone willing to make the case for CLS?

[RictusErectus]

I'm surprised Columbia gave you that money. I have the same LSAT as you and an international GPA ("Superior") yet they didn't offer me any merit-based aid while Michigan gave me $40k / year — again, same as you.

I've deposited at Columbia because my SO is starting med school there, but am also riding two waitlists on the East Coast and if I get off either I'm LEAVING. Can't wait to send the Financial Aid office a snarky af email telling them why they lost me.

[lawlorbust]

I'm surprised Columbia gave you that money. I have the same LSAT as you and an international GPA ("Superior") yet they didn't offer me any merit-based aid while Michigan gave me $40k / year — again, same as you.

I've deposited at Columbia because my SO is starting med school there, but am also riding two waitlists on the East Coast and if I get off either I'm LEAVING. Can't wait to send the Financial Aid office a snarky af email telling them why they lost me.

Please don't do this.

[jjcorvino]

I'm surprised Columbia gave you that money. I have the same LSAT as you and an international GPA ("Superior") yet they didn't offer me any merit-based aid while Michigan gave me $40k / year — again, same as you.

I've deposited at Columbia because my SO is starting med school there, but am also riding two waitlists on the East Coast and if I get off either I'm LEAVING. Can't wait to send the Financial Aid office a snarky af email telling them why they lost me.

Please don't do this.

Seriously, I am also surprised at that money but this is a terrible idea.

[RictusErectus]

I'm surprised Columbia gave you that money. I have the same LSAT as you and an international GPA ("Superior") yet they didn't offer me any merit-based aid while Michigan gave me $40k / year — again, same as you.

I've deposited at Columbia because my SO is starting med school there, but am also riding two waitlists on the East Coast and if I get off either I'm LEAVING. Can't wait to send the Financial Aid office a snarky af email telling them why they lost me.

Please don't do this.

Seriously, I am also surprised at that money but this is a terrible idea.

Yeah, guys. I wouldn't actually do that. There's anonymous post-withdrawal surveys for such things anyway. But, yeah, I shook my fists at the sky for a solid 30 seconds.

PS - Thanks for the concern and advice!