Dear All,

I would like to listen to your thoughts on the aforementioned two law schools. I have been admitted to both law school's general LLM program and am currently wondering which one to choose if I really have to make the choice in the end.

My current thoughts:

1. Ranking
Both law schools rank at 9 according to USNews.

2. Weather
Both cold.

3. Cost
NU is about USD8,000 expensive than Umich, according to the schools' statistics.

4. Location
NU is in downtown Chicago while Umich is in Ann Arbor.

5. Program
Umich's LLM program is smaller? I preper small program.

Can anyone here share your lights on these two schools?

Thank you very much!

Hello dear,

Congratulations, both are great schools! I think NU has a better locations, but not sure if it worth the living costs and tuition difference.
Although it is a really personal choice, I would go with Michigan. I think Michigan is great and definitely a real top school. The program is amazing and the fact that the class is smaller, in my oppinion, makes all the difference. I do Believe there you will have a more personalized attention. I got the sense UoMich realyy cares about their students.

Although I am not a big fan of ranking, take a look at JD's ranking. Michigan has its place as the bests univs certainly.

I have applied for 8 schools, until now got in UCLA, Chicago and Michigan and I would prefer Michigan over Chigago (regardless all the ranking stuf). I will just give up umich if get in ny schools, especially Columbia, which is my heart's school.
All the best and don't stress so much, you can't go wrong!

Hi,
About the location, if you're looking for a small place than Ann Arbor is a great place to live and study, but if you're a city man than... I think Ann Arbor would be too small for you and maybe too boring.

Umich - far better.

Thank you very much for your replies which are very helpful to me. From the opinions presented here, I sense people are more in favor of Umich than NU. In terms of the comment as "far better", could I ask the reason why?

Thanks again!

I think Umich is better than NU
Could anyone tell me Upenn Vs. Umich.
and Upenn Vs NYU?

Depends on what exactly you wish to focus during your LLM.

Ann Arbor is too boring, I´ll rather choose NW. Great university + great city

In Vault ranking, U Mich (#2) is far better than NU (#9).

http://www.vault.com/lawschool/rankingtop25/

Vault Ranking sucks :)

I´ve just checked Vault. I don´t undestand the criteria of this ranking..
Indiana better than Cornell and Gtown. Vandervilt on top of UPenn...and I could keep going. Doesn´t make any sence

Personally, I think that vault's ranking is good, at least they are clear about their criteria (employability), while the other rankings, use things such as "rates of acceptance" which just creates a vicious circle and makes almost impossible to change the rankings.
anyway, just my oppinion.

If anyone is curious,bellow are their criteria:

"Vault surveyed nearly 400 hiring partners, hiring committee members, associate interviewers and recruiting professionals across the country on which law schools best prepare their graduates to achieve in the firm environment. With 58% of law school graduates entering private practice, Vault's law school rankings fill an important gap with their unique emphasis on employability.

Vault surveyed only those people who directly assess the value of law school graduates in the real world once they enter the workforce- those individuals responsible for evaluating and hiring law school students. The respondents--who represent over 100 law firms-- were advised to consider the following factors in their rankings: research and writing skills; knowledge of legal doctrine; possession of other relevant knowledge (e.g., science for IP lawyers); and ability to manage a calendar and work with an assistant."

Personally, I think that vault's ranking is good, at least they are clear about their criteria (employability), while the other rankings, use things such as "rates of acceptance" which just creates a vicious circle and makes almost impossible to change the rankings.
anyway, just my oppinion.

If anyone is curious,bellow are their criteria:

"Vault surveyed nearly 400 hiring partners, hiring committee members, associate interviewers and recruiting professionals across the country on which law schools best prepare their graduates to achieve in the firm environment. With 58% of law school graduates entering private practice, Vault's law school rankings fill an important gap with their unique emphasis on employability.

Vault surveyed only those people who directly assess the value of law school graduates in the real world once they enter the workforce- those individuals responsible for evaluating and hiring law school students. The respondents--who represent over 100 law firms-- were advised to consider the following factors in their rankings: research and writing skills; knowledge of legal doctrine; possession of other relevant knowledge (e.g., science for IP lawyers); and ability to manage a calendar and work with an assistant."

you may be right... but don't forget that the us news rank the JD programs.

Anyways, my point is: Both are great schools and one must choose it not solely based on rankings (Know that they are important, but I am not a big fan of rankings, think they are bias most of the time). You must make a choice about how much money you want to spend, what kind of life you want to have, do you prefer small classes or not? , do you have any scholarship?, any particular field of interest?

Again, great schools, can't go wrong! I would go to umich, but many others would go to NU! so, thats your choice..
Be glad you have to make such a choice, lol!

So far I have not come across a single ranking for LLM programs and therefore follow the JD ranking everywhere. Since most of the US is obsessed with ranking and prestige as the dominant factor, we need not look otherwise.
As they say In Rome, do as the romans' do.
Though US is going through a crises at this point of time, we needn't forget that they still are the most dominant economy in the world. They are the ones who have invaded every part of the world with McDonaldisation and Cocalisation of general demographic and If this is not evidence enough of their dominance, than look at Italy, the pizza industry there is wholly controlled by the US.
Therefore whatever you may say about US News Rankings and critically analyze they, they still remain the most regarded of them all for JD or otherwise.

I'm not critically analyze the us new ranking.... just made a point that it is JD rankings... and I agree with Gab who said that there are many other factors...
BTW... I think UMICH is better... :)

I'm not critically analyze the us new ranking.... just made a point that it is JD rankings... and I agree with Gab who said that there are many other factors...
BTW... I think UMICH is better... :)

I think Umich is better, but how is Ann Arbor? Someone mentioned a city man will be bored there... the question is if the place is so remote, is it more difficult for Umich grads to find a job than NW grads in Chicago?

I think you forgot the brand, which plays a great role expecially outside the US; NU is beyond doubt more prestigious. that said, I'd choose NU also for its setting. A whole year in Ann Arbor sounds like a pain in the neck...I'd rather stay in the middle of nowhere if admitted to Yale, not to UMich...