Wonderful. I really appreciated. I have 2 weeks to think about it and decide.

I think it would be hard to make a wrong choice! They are both great schools and great cities.

I am not very familiar with business programs but I believe Wharton has the stronger brand. The actually quality of the programs may contradict this. Penn probably also has the better overall law school, but only slightly. Considering that there is so little difference, I would go with the one you feel is a better fit.

As far as cities are concerned, MAB79 is being a little unfair portraying Philadelphia as a crime-plagued wasteland. The actual crime statistics are pretty equivocal. Neither Philly nor Chicago are exactly exemplary in this regard, but if you stay away from bad neighborhoods you ought to be fine (UPenn is sandwiched a bit awkwardly between downtown and some rough areas, but the campus itself is safe). There's plenty to do in Philly besides the Liberty Bell. Great museums, restaurants, nightlife and so on (you are also a short train ride or drive to NY and DC). To be fair, personally I prefer Chicago as a city, but please don't get the impression that there is nothing worthwhile in Philadelphia. Also, if you are bothered by cold weather, living in Chicago would be very difficult.

Good luck.

Since I am not from US, I am not sure. But if you make a proxy from de US News, listen to some partners in the magic circle and see that it is an Ivy school. I have doubts.

I am in Europe and work also in a top law firm...NU has a great reputation as has UPenn...but most of the partners and senior associates in my law firm have been to Harvard and Columbia or to LSE anyway...here are also some that actually say, they decided not to follow the mass and went to Miami or less popular law schools...just because they said that it isn't that important where you have been...so, I guess at least in civil law europe, the important think is that you have earned a LL.M. and not where...That is my impression!

Last but not least: At least in Switzerland, UPenn is not very popular, because of Philly

I come from the UK, and I have met business men who have never heard of the joint Kellog/LLM program who nonetheless think Wharton-as well as Duke and HBS, are the greatest business schools in the US. I do not like the categorization and rankings of schools. But although there is no rankings for the LLM/Business school programs, I would cast my lot with Penn.
Philly is not Pennsylvania, and I find it ironic and a little bit dishonest that the Swiss actually look down on such a great institution because because I can name four Swiss bankers from the tip of my fingers that attended UPenn.
@Newbie, your heart is clearly in Northwestern and I would advice you to go with that, but as much as we might not like the rankings, and in the case of LLM applicants, we are just deducing the strengths of the joint programs by combining the law school rankings and the business school rankings, people, prospective employees and the public in general look and closely monitor the rankings.
If it is any consolation, the Economist Magazine, which is owned by the same company as the FT, ranks Upenn very differently, although in both, Upenn still ranks higher than Northwestern-- http://www.economist.com/business-education/whichmba/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14632300

Maybe you missunderstood sth: I did not devalue UPenn...after all it is an Ivy League School with a long tradition and Wharton is among the best...I just stated that in civil law it does not matter that much, which school you attended, in particualr not, if both are that prestiguous (and I work in a top tier law firm and have a lot of friends that are inhouse counsels in swiss global companies)...This is not dishonest or ironic at all (at least not more ironic or dishonest than stating that Kellog is not known;-)). I just said, that I'd rather chose Chicago than UPenn, because Philly is not the safest place to live. In particular if your spouse joins you...and this is why UPenn often is not a first choice at least not among the swiss lawyers I know (and I know more than 4;-)). Not because UPenn is not good, but rather because Philly has not a good reputation!
As for the Swiss bankers: At least for the moment, I'd not refer to Swiss bankers;-)

Lot of people here with the same doubt.

We should contribute to a greater post, since many applicants have been admitted to great schools.

Lets reach a consensus here??

Which one below is the best option?


(A) NW LLM/K > UPENN WPWP > NYU APCLB

(B) UPENN WPWP > NW LLM/K > NYU APCLB

(C) NYU APCLB > UPENN WPWP > NW LLM/K

(D) NW LLM/K > NYU APCLB > UPENN WPWP

At the end of the day I think it's all on an individuals character. A great person does not need the endorsement of a particular school to prove his worthiness.
I believe that whichever school one goes to plays a small role in what one ends up being as a person.....

UPenn is a big name and Ivy league. Penn law is also consistently ranked better than NW.

Although NW is located in the heart of downtown Chicago and shopping district (which is really wonderful! the only school that can compare with NW in term of location is NYU), Philly is pretty big city (5th largest city in the US) and Penn campus is very safe and close to downtown. Moreover, it takes only 2 hours to get to NY and DC.

What about Phily? Is it good to spend a year there? Does anyone know about campus experience?

It is cheaper than NYC, and just a 50 min train ride....

I would rather go to UPenn. The academic experience and faculty is a notch above NU.

Just spent an amazing year inPenn.
CAMPUS IS GREAT.
Penn is the best university for private practice and the joint program with Wharton is a real asset on your resume.
I am a girl : no pbm of security, you know that there are some bad areas and you just don t go there but city center and university city are really safe. Penn is the best pro environment ivy school , so green people : that s your choice!
Great concerts all year long, amazing restaurants , every friday night special at museum, art galleries are open once every month for an open art night...sports is just crazy o f course.
We played soccer, volley , tennis , plus philly has a huge bike community, since it is very plane it is ideal to move in the city, and we did so many week end in Ny or atlantic or ocean city or in huge parks around... you are also close to Dc... but above all you ll see that Philly is all about the people ....and that is its secret !!!

i WISH i had more time here, but I got to go home...;(

lot of fun to all of you who are going there !

PENN

A) You are allowed to take 1L classes. Some people will advise you against it due to the amount of emphasis that law firms give to 1L courses. Most of the 1L's are very competitive and try to stand out immediately. They mellow out after their first year.

B) Whoever said there's nothing to do in Philly, has never really experienced the city. I've been living here for almost 5 years and I have no complains about being bored or having nothing to do. As for crime; every city has bad neighborhoods; stay away and you'll do fine. Anyone that has lived in a big city knows that.

Penn LLMs are NOT allowed to take 1L course unless approved.

Which you will.
I took torts this year.

Then the course selection brochure is crap :P