Passing up Columbia Law for a Tier 2...am I crazy???

[Polo08816]

<p>

I agree that you have to factor in everything including cost. The scenario you put forth has a lot of relevance to my future situation.
I’m currently a 3rd year PharmD student in a 6 year accelerated program from HS. I’m also an Officer Candidate with a commissioning date of Sept 09 in the NJ Army National Guard.
In NJ, we have a 100% tuition waiver for members in the NG for any degree, any number of credits, at any public institution in NJ. I’m currently paying nothing for my PharmD.
The opportunity cost of attending a T14 law school is just too high for me when I could be going to Rutgers Law for absolutely nothing. In terms of acquiring a JD, I hypothetically have 2 options:</p>

<p>Option A
Attend a T14 law school full time for 3 years
Net cost: -$200000</p>

<p>Option B
Attend Rutgers Law School part-time for 4 years while working full time in the pharmaceutical industry (cost = $0)
Net benefit +$500,000

Does anyone think going to a T14/brand name school vs. a regular state law school when you already have a doctoral-level degree is worth a immediate $700,000 differential in costs and benefits?</p>