Law School Discussion

Do firms tend to fall into tiers in terms of Vault rankings?  I've heard some talk about V10, V20, etc, but I'd like further info.  Thanks!

So yeah, my bf didn't get into Michigan for this year (they want him to defer a year to finish his Masters) and instead of my decision being clear I'm more confused than ever. Some background: I was accepted to Michigan as a full Darrow scholar.  I was accepted into NYU's law and business program (and have to let them know by Monday afternoon).  I would like to do trust and estates law, insurance/reinsurance, real estate or even tax.  I would prefer to deal with individual clients (as opposed to corporations) and maybe even open my own firm at some point.  I'm not sure where I'd like to live (in the long run) but am thinking DC, Charlotte, maybe Atlanta or Florida. Any advice is appreciated!

Michigan

Pros:

• A totally different experience: I've never lived in the Midwest, never lived in a college town, and my ug didn't even have a football team!
• Finances: Full tuition plus stipend for next summer and lower COL
• Community: I already have made friends with Mich 0Ls and 1Ls, plus the faculty and administration all seem great
• International opportunities: Michigan is known for their international programs, including the externship in South Africa and international clerkships
• Michigan Cooking Club: I love to cook (and eat) so the club is a big plus
• Geographic diversity: Students come from all over and alumni tend to be dispersed all over the country.  This is important because I don't know where I want to end up, but I'm pretty sure it's not the northeast.
• Urban Communities Clinic: provides transactional experience that coincides with my interests
• Transportation: Southwest flies between me and bf and offers more frequent and cheaper flights than the NYC equivalent (jetblue)
• Housing: I'll be able to have my very own apartment, for about half the price of an NYU dorm!
• Transportation: Good bus service and Zipcar!
• Connections: I already know someone in the engineering school, so I'll be able to make friends with people outside of the law schols (very important!)
• Bf will be there for 2L and 3L
• It factor: Can't say what it is, but something just seems to draw me to Michigan (hence this thread) despite NYU's relative strength

Cons

• COLD!  Though this is a factor for both schools, Michigan averages about 10 degrees colder (I think)
• Location: I really liked AA and think its a great town, but don't like that it's 30 mins (with no public trans) away from the nearest airport and that the nearest large city is Detroit (eh)
• Business offerings: Though there are a variety of cross-listed classes and you can take classes in the busines school, there's no formal program linking the two.
• "Prestige"/rankings: NYU definitely has the edge
• Social opportunities: You can't beat NYC! However, the cost difference between Mich and NYU means that I'll have plenty to do but won't be able to afford to do it!
• Transportation: can't beat NYC public trans, so there's no need for a car
• Location2: NYC is nearer to my family, so they'd visit more often.  Probably a pro and a con. 
• Career opps?  Is this a  major problem?  I don't think so, but maybe some of the NYU and Mich students could chime in.
• Networking/employment opps during the school year will be more limited, since it's not located in a major city

NYU
Pros:

• Law and Business Leadership Progam: offers a formalised program of interaction between the law and business school, including classes, brown bag lunches, mentorships and networking opportunities.  However, the program is most geared to people who want a more businessey career such as I banking or in house at a securities firm, which isn't me.
• Location: It's NYC. Nuff said!
• Tax: NYU's tax program is fantastic and they offer a 7 semester JD/LLM that's really appealing.  That said, I'm not sure if I want to do tax since I've never taken a class.
• Networking opps: You're in NYC, there's opportunities to network for pretty much any career interest
• Rankings/"prestige": NYU definitely has the advantage here.
• Professors: The law and business profs that I met were really nice.  Not sure about anyone else...
• People: I know a lot of people heading to CLS and being in the city means that there's plenty of opportunity to meet other people.

Cons:

• Housing: $1,400 + for a room???
• Travel: more expensive/less convenient to see the bf (jetblue vs southwest
• Finances: The NYU scholarship is 40k, but drops down to 20k for 3L if I don't do PI 2L summer.  So not only is tuition not fully covered, but cost of living in NYC is waaaaaaay higher.
• Clinics: surprisingly enough, they have no clinics that even come close to my interest.  Most are litigational (as opposed to transactional) and none are business related.
• Community: I'm sure NYU has a great community, but I don't know anyone yet who's going there, so it doesn't have that pull.
• Campus: I actually prefer a more campusey feel (eg Columbia), though I'm not as opposed as I was before I visited
• Only a possibility of bf being there for 2L and 3L
• Geographic concentration: It seems like NYU has a high concentration of students from the NY/NJ area and the largest percentage tend to stay.  I don't want to stay, so I'd prefer a wider alumni network.

I think that's it for now...  HELP!

Height Bigot:  who gives a flying @#!* how tall your family is?
2-3 Day Rule for Calling: shut up and grow some balls, we're tired of your whining

That's all for now.  Feel free to vent

I know some of you LSD women have been bridesmaids before.  Any ideas on how to host a bridal shower for 45ish women without spending my entire ls savings?    I forgot about all these expenses when I agreed to be in the wedding...

Anyone know when their admit weekends are?  I have to submit my vacation for next year, so I need as much info as possible.