Am I insane to pick T20 over T14?
I’ve got to pick between a T14 (Columbia, UVA, Cornell, NYU) at near sticker that and a T20 I could probably graduate without taking loans or touching my retirement account thanks to a generous scholarship if I get decent summer associate jobs. The T20 places in the 45-55% big law + fc range. Also has good clerkship connections in places I’d like to clerk. Their career office seems on top of things for big law networking.
I’ve got some savings, but to make the T14 work I’d probably have to empty my retirement account and take out loans. Haven’t finished the math yet but some loans would likely be private.
I am shooting for big law, BUT I am interested in doing patent work and have an in demand degree for it. I’ve been told by practicing lawyers, students, and career officers that school rank and gpa doesn’t matter as much and that at a T20 I’d have to do pretty terribly at interviews and networking and get a bunch of C’s to strike out even if I don’t hit median. I’m also okay with non-market big law or high paying mid law in parts of the country I have ties to.
I feel like the T20 is the right decision here. But second guessing myself because I’m excessively debt adverse and turning down a school like this seems crazy.
If it matters, NYC is not my goal. Not opposed to DC but not tied to it.