....

[east_meets_west]

I also chose Northwestern over CLS and other higher-ranked schools based on a larger scholarship (which would knock out rougly 3/4 of any debt I would accumulate). Not as big a difference as others on the board but some rankings whores on here would protest...

I don't see why this is so hard to believe for so many LSDers, unless they've never actually spoken with actual attorneys. Money is an enormous factor, and can be the difference between choosing your career and your career choosing you. I'm all for going to a tier one school if you can get into it over a T2 or T3, but if someone don't understand picking one school in the T14 or T20 over another and accepting 180k in debt in return, they haven't thought the issue through enough. If you can avoid a lot of debt and still go to a good, top-tier school, your will thank yourself a few years down the road, when you are free to avoid spending 75 hours a week working in biglaw in a field you hate. I see way too many of those folks around my firm.

[east_meets_west]

i agree with the general sentiment expressed in this post, however i strongly disagree with anyone choosing any school other than yale over columbia.

just had to put that out there.

Gotta stand up for your one true love...I understand 

[SouthSide]

Yes. I went with a lower-ranked school over a higher-ranked one, in large part due to a scholarship offer. In my case, it was Columbia and Yale. When the difference in ranking is small, then the money should be a major consideration. People who don't seriously acknowledge the psychological and financial burden of a large debt load are only fooling themselves.

[SouthSide]

Yes. I went with a lower-ranked school over a higher-ranked one, in large part due to a scholarship offer. In my case, it was Columbia and Yale. When the difference in ranking is small, then the money should be a major consideration. People who don't seriously acknowledge the psychological and financial burden of a large debt load are only fooling themselves.

Did you get a full ride at Columbia SouthSide?  Had to have been some good money in order to pass up Yale.

Yes I did, but I would have seriously considered Columbia over Yale in any event. I also had personal factors pushing me toward being in New York.

[cassise]

I would be hard pressed to turn down money at ND for a T14 with no $$

[ARG]

Not as stunning…..U of Wisc over U or Minn and Emory

[talula8828]

I chose BU with a large scholarship over Cornell with no $$.  It was a tough decision but I love boston and want to live here when I'm done!

[Lenny]

I chose W&L over GW, Vandy, and Georgetown PT.  I haven't regretted it at all.

[Lionel Hutz]

People only dishonestly choose Money over School Rank.

[east_meets_west]

People only dishonestly choose Money over School Rank.

What does that even mean...