Harvard ($) vs. Columbia ($ + convenience) Forum

[Studybuddy17]

Another one of those annoying Harvard vs. Columbia questions but with slightly different variables. Cost of attendance will be approximately the same, but as a current resident of NYC, remaining locally would be massively convenient.

So....can a degree from Harvard provide enough substantial benefit over Columbia that would warrant the major inconveniences/challenges of relocation?

My career aspirations (at the moment) are to begin at biglaw and eventually transfer to a government type role (dream AUSA)

[LoganCouture]

Can you use the Harvard $ offer to negotiate with Columbia for more $? Be like, I really love Columbia, I want to stay in NYC, etc.?

[lawlorbust]

Assuming that "convenient" isn't code for "I'm just really lazy and need to be talked out of this," take Columbia. Three years from now, you'll end up in the same place.

[rpupkin]

HLS is a little better than CLS for just about everything. Is the difference worth "massive" inconvenience? No.

But to echo another poster, if your definition of "massive convienience" is just "I don't want to give up my apartment and move," then get over yourself and go to Harvard.

[Studybuddy17]

HLS is a little better than CLS for just about everything. Is the difference worth "massive" inconvenience? No.

But to echo another poster, if your definition of "massive convienience" is just "I don't want to give up my apartment and move," then get over yourself and go to Harvard.

Thanks for all the replies. The inconveniences are quite large but are not financial, merely lifestyle.

[Npret]

Stay in NYC if your life is here. You will be fine at Columbia. I don't think Harvard is necessary.

Edit to add: I was glad to stay in NYC so I could live at home and save money. But I also appreciated the support of my extended family and my friends who I've known for years. It made a big difference to me to be able to maintain my life.

[guynourmin]

The inconveniences are quite large but are not financial, merely lifestyle.

but what are they? Like, if you have a 4 year old and have already gotten them into the kindergarten of your dreams, then giving up that spot and moving to Boston would seem like a huge inconvenience. If you just know all your favorite spots in nyc, that's not "quite large" at all.

[Studybuddy17]

The inconveniences are quite large but are not financial, merely lifestyle.

but what are they? Like, if you have a 4 year old and have already gotten them into the kindergarten of your dreams, then giving up that spot and moving to Boston would seem like a huge inconvenience. If you just know all your favorite spots in nyc, that's not "quite large" at all.

They are along the lines of SO leaving current employment, and childcare related inconveniences

[guynourmin]

The inconveniences are quite large but are not financial, merely lifestyle.

but what are they? Like, if you have a 4 year old and have already gotten them into the kindergarten of your dreams, then giving up that spot and moving to Boston would seem like a huge inconvenience. If you just know all your favorite spots in nyc, that's not "quite large" at all.

They are along the lines of SO leaving current employment, and childcare related inconveniences

then I don't think you would be faulted for staying. I think those other posters just wanted to make sure you weren't staying because moving sucks (it really does! I'm moving a little over a mile next month and dreading it) and because your favorite bartender knows your name and drink of choice.

[Studybuddy17]

The inconveniences are quite large but are not financial, merely lifestyle.

but what are they? Like, if you have a 4 year old and have already gotten them into the kindergarten of your dreams, then giving up that spot and moving to Boston would seem like a huge inconvenience. If you just know all your favorite spots in nyc, that's not "quite large" at all.

They are along the lines of SO leaving current employment, and childcare related inconveniences

then I don't think you would be faulted for staying. I think those other posters just wanted to make sure you weren't staying because moving sucks (it really does! I'm moving a little over a mile next month and dreading it) and because your favorite bartender knows your name and drink of choice.

I'm just apprehensive not to forgo any future opportunity simply due to my current inertia!

[rpupkin]

The inconveniences are quite large but are not financial, merely lifestyle.

but what are they? Like, if you have a 4 year old and have already gotten them into the kindergarten of your dreams, then giving up that spot and moving to Boston would seem like a huge inconvenience. If you just know all your favorite spots in nyc, that's not "quite large" at all.

They are along the lines of SO leaving current employment, and childcare related inconveniences

Those count as significant inconveniences in my book.

[Npret]

The inconveniences are quite large but are not financial, merely lifestyle.

but what are they? Like, if you have a 4 year old and have already gotten them into the kindergarten of your dreams, then giving up that spot and moving to Boston would seem like a huge inconvenience. If you just know all your favorite spots in nyc, that's not "quite large" at all.

They are along the lines of SO leaving current employment, and childcare related inconveniences

then I don't think you would be faulted for staying. I think those other posters just wanted to make sure you weren't staying because moving sucks (it really does! I'm moving a little over a mile next month and dreading it) and because your favorite bartender knows your name and drink of choice.

I'm just apprehensive not to forgo any future opportunity simply due to my current inertia!

You won't. Columbia is a good school and you can get biglaw. An advantage of being in the city is that I clerked for my firm as a 3L and was able to make money and get to know the firm and the people. You can be networking for jobs and attending events easily because you are in NYC. If you are planning to move back to NYC after Harvard, you are better off just staying here.

[Studybuddy17]

The inconveniences are quite large but are not financial, merely lifestyle.

but what are they? Like, if you have a 4 year old and have already gotten them into the kindergarten of your dreams, then giving up that spot and moving to Boston would seem like a huge inconvenience. If you just know all your favorite spots in nyc, that's not "quite large" at all.

They are along the lines of SO leaving current employment, and childcare related inconveniences

then I don't think you would be faulted for staying. I think those other posters just wanted to make sure you weren't staying because moving sucks (it really does! I'm moving a little over a mile next month and dreading it) and because your favorite bartender knows your name and drink of choice.

I'm just apprehensive not to forgo any future opportunity simply due to my current inertia!

You won't. Columbia is a good school and you can get biglaw. An advantage of being in the city is that I clerked for my firm as a 3L and was able to make money and get to know the firm and the people. You can be networking for jobs and attending events easily because you are in NYC. If you are planning to move back to NYC after Harvard, you are better off just staying here.

Yes, definitely planning on return to NYC even after Harvard, due to family etc..

[Npret]

So what imaginary opportunity do you think you will give up by staying at your home with your family, where your SO can keep a job and going to Columbia?

[Studybuddy17]

Due to future litigation interests, I may be interested in a clerkship and am nervous about Harvard v. Columbia in that regard.

[Studybuddy17]

So what imaginary opportunity do you think you will give up by staying at your home with your family, where your SO can keep a job and going to Columbia?

SO will likely be able to find a similar job upon relocation, it's just tremendously inconvenient to deal with all that

[Npret]

Due to future litigation interests, I am nervous though about Harvard v. Columbia in that regard.

What specifically? You are going to get the same job.

[Studybuddy17]

Due to future litigation interests, I am nervous though about Harvard v. Columbia in that regard.

What specifically? You are going to get the same job.

Sorry about that, I edited my previous comment. I meant to refer to differences in potential clerkship opportunity between H and C

[Bach-City]

.

[Npret]

Why do you think you won't get a clerkship from Columbia but you will from Harvard? What clerkship do you want?

[Studybuddy17]

Why do you think you won't get a clerkship from Columbia but you will from Harvard? What clerkship do you want?

Good point, no concrete reason. Except that Harvard clerkship numbers have traditionally been much higher than those of Columbia. The other factor is the concern that Harvard's more ambiguous grading system may provide better cushioning for such future prospects.

[Lavitz]

Why do you think you won't get a clerkship from Columbia but you will from Harvard? What clerkship do you want?

Good point, no concrete reason. Except that Harvard clerkship numbers have traditionally been much higher than those of Columbia. The other factor is the concern that Harvard's more ambiguous grading system may provide better cushioning for such future prospects.

You didn't really answer what clerkship you want, but if your dream is to be an AUSA in NYC specifically, you'd be best off getting an SDNY or EDNY clerkship, and I've seen no reason to believe Harvard is significantly better than Columbia in that regard. See: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6#p9911226

[Studybuddy17]

Why do you think you won't get a clerkship from Columbia but you will from Harvard? What clerkship do you want?

Good point, no concrete reason. Except that Harvard clerkship numbers have traditionally been much higher than those of Columbia. The other factor is the concern that Harvard's more ambiguous grading system may provide better cushioning for such future prospects.

You didn't really answer what clerkship you want, but if your dream is to be an AUSA in NYC specifically, you'd be best off getting an SDNY or EDNY clerkship, and I've seen no reason to believe Harvard is significantly better than Columbia in that regard. See: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6#p9911226

At this point, I am still not familiar enough with clerkship benefits to be certain which type of clerkship I would want to obtain in the future. It's more a general neurosis not to create future disadvantage

[shadowfax]

I'm just not sure where you prefer living NYC or Boston while going to law school should be the deciding factor. If it was Ann Arbor or Palo Alto maybe. For the same money you go to Harvard every time.

[rpupkin]

Why do you think you won't get a clerkship from Columbia but you will from Harvard? What clerkship do you want?

Good point, no concrete reason. Except that Harvard clerkship numbers have traditionally been much higher than those of Columbia. The other factor is the concern that Harvard's more ambiguous grading system may provide better cushioning for such future prospects.

The grading system has nothing to do with it. Look, HLS is a little better than CLS for employment prospects. If CLS and HLS swapped grading systems, that would still be true.