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I have offers at UVA ($) and NU ($) though I would prefer to stay in-state at UVA and save money/go to higher-ranked school. I grew up in Chicago and have family there. Are these enough ties to land biglaw after law school? Summer associate position during law school? Where in my class would I have to finish? Any info is appreciated! Thanks

If UVA is cheaper than NU, it's perfectly reasonable to pick it over NU even wanting Chicago Biglaw. If the costs are equal, going to NU is the safer choice if Chicago Biglaw is your ideal outcome.

Your ties are sufficient to get Chicago Biglaw following graduation at UVA if you stay in/around median and bid smartly on Chicago firms. Not all that many go to Chicago from UVA, but your background in Chicago will be enough.

This decision should be entirely about cost and not rankings. At equal cost, NU is safer. If UVA is cheaper, UVA is a better choice.

eli_1812 wrote:save money/go to higher-ranked school

As said by UVA2B, if UVA is saving money then its a perfectly fine choice (likely the right choice). Don't worry about the rankings, though.

Go with whichever is cheaper. At equal cost, go to UVA.

I'm at UVA, I would go with Northwestern if the costs are equal. If I remember correctly there aren't a ton of Chicago firms that come to OGI, compared to other large markets.