Hi guys, I received offers from both Duke and Columbia but didn’t get any funding from both schools. On the other hand, I received almost a full tuition scholarship from the University of Michigan and a partial (about 50%) scholarship from Northwestern. I am concerned that going to Michigan will significantly lower my post LLM chances, but is it worth it to take a huge loan to go to a better ranked school like Columbia/Duke. I am a corporate and securities lawyer and I plan to do my OPT in the US after the LLM.

Michigan’s location does not seem like the best and the school is not very well known in my home country. I am also not sure how reputable it is in the US. I know that the market is already tough for people who go to reputable law schools so is it worth it going to a cheaper (but less renowned) school

Between Michigan and Northwestern, I like that Michigan’s very small LLM class can give me a personalized experience, but Chicago is in a much better location for networking.

Please I need your advice.

No LLM is worth entering into debt. Full stop. It is hard to find jobs with LLm degree in the US. Most firms prefer JDs and only hire LLMs if they have a skill or experience that make them desirable for US firms.
Most LLMs go back to their country. Some succeed due to their own connections.

While it is true that the cachet of a Columbia LLM is significantly higher than Michigans, it is not worth the debt in my opinion.

Michigan is a very reputable university within the US. Also bear in mind that Chicago market doesnt offer too many opportunities to internationals

Michigan is the ONLY thing you should be considering. Taking out huge loans for Duke or even Columbia when you can go to Michigan for nearly free is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard.