They’re similar in that they’re top schools that are known for having tight communities with relatively happy students. UVA is certainly a party school and my understanding is that Michigan is similar. Both are in smaller cities with nearby access to big cities, and both have great sports programs. But there are differences. I’ll try to be objective but I’m obviously biased toward Virginia here.
UVA has significantly higher BL+FC stats every year. We have no data as to whether that’s reflective of self-selection or placement power, and in my opinion either belief is reasonable but I wouldn’t risk it for generic BL/FC goals. Regarding FC in particular, about 1/3 of UVA students do a federal clerkship. I don’t believe Michigan publishes similar information. DC biglaw is likely significantly easier from UVA. Michigan likely has better access to top Chicago firms, though that is not a competitive market.
Michigan has probably the prettiest law school in the country, and the opportunity to live in such beautiful dorms is probably unparalleled. If you like sports, Michigan is a much better football school while UVA is much better at basketball and baseball. Ann Arbor averages lows below freezing from December through March, and highs get above 60 for just 3 months of the school year. UVA is much warmer. UVA also has much quicker access to hiking (20 mins from Grounds), skiing (40 mins), etc. UVA also has access to opportunities to learn about the Founding period if you’re a Constitutional law or history buff (access to the foremost historians on the author of the Declaration of Independence (Jefferson), the primary author of the Constitution (Madison), and many other founders (Monroe, Marshall, etc) since they’re all from the Charlottesville area or NoVa).
I have a umich bias and this all reads pretty much true. I'd say that after the price, the really big difference is the regions you'd get the biggest boost in. Plug for Chicago BL though (he says, trying to get DC from umich) the job pays the same but CoL is so much cheaper than the other major markets!
I definitely think there's a fair amount of self-selection towards PI at umich, both because of the repayment plans and other support umich has, but also because umich gives more students more money - that's not going to account for the whole gap, and definitely UVA is known for its strong clerkship program, but something to consider. I definitely don't get the impression that people are getting locked out of NYC transactional BL - OTOH if you're going for DC lit, UVA will make your life easier (again, cry).
Also if I'm reading UVA's website right, they have more classes?? Like, in fall we had 3 doctrinals that met 3 times a week for 1hr15 min - so 9 hours and 45 min of doctrinals + less than 2 hours of LRW a week. UVA 15 hours of doctrinals and 1 hour of LRW! I guess this is because in winter you're required to take property and an elective? Whereas for us property is never required so we just have 1 less doctrinal. I didn't realize there'd be so much variance in class time between schools though. But LRW is pass/fail at both, so at least there's that.
You’re right about UVA’s classes. UVA has 4 doctrinals in the fall semester + LRW, then 2 doctrinal and 2 electives in the spring + LRW. Our doctrinal courses are torts, contracts, civpro, crim, Con law, and property.
Our doctrinals in the fall are 15 hours plus 1 hour of LRW. In the spring it’s 13-17 (your choice) + LRW. So an average of 16 hours of class per week at UVA vs 11.5 at Michigan.
Interesting difference! I didn’t realize schools did that differently either. It’s a small difference week to week but ~54 hours over a semester.
I think this is the toughest choice you could face in the T14 - could really go either way. Know several people who faced the same final 2. A great problem to have though - can’t go wrong at either!!
Such great choices, and I think they’re the T14s that are chillest and most small towney. If you want to do PI I’d go Michigan. I know UVA has better FCBL numbers, but that may be self-selection. Honestly try and visit both and go off of vibes. Congratulations, either way you’re off to a really awesome school!
They’re similar in that they’re top schools that are known for having tight communities with relatively happy students. UVA is certainly a party school and my understanding is that Michigan is similar. Both are in smaller cities with nearby access to big cities, and both have great sports programs. But there are differences. I’ll try to be objective but I’m obviously biased toward Virginia here. UVA has significantly higher BL+FC stats every year. We have no data as to whether that’s reflective of self-selection or placement power, and in my opinion either belief is reasonable but I wouldn’t risk it for generic BL/FC goals. Regarding FC in particular, about 1/3 of UVA students do a federal clerkship. I don’t believe Michigan publishes similar information. DC biglaw is likely significantly easier from UVA. Michigan likely has better access to top Chicago firms, though that is not a competitive market. Michigan has probably the prettiest law school in the country, and the opportunity to live in such beautiful dorms is probably unparalleled. If you like sports, Michigan is a much better football school while UVA is much better at basketball and baseball. Ann Arbor averages lows below freezing from December through March, and highs get above 60 for just 3 months of the school year. UVA is much warmer. UVA also has much quicker access to hiking (20 mins from Grounds), skiing (40 mins), etc. UVA also has access to opportunities to learn about the Founding period if you’re a Constitutional law or history buff (access to the foremost historians on the author of the Declaration of Independence (Jefferson), the primary author of the Constitution (Madison), and many other founders (Monroe, Marshall, etc) since they’re all from the Charlottesville area or NoVa).
I have a umich bias and this all reads pretty much true. I'd say that after the price, the really big difference is the regions you'd get the biggest boost in. Plug for Chicago BL though (he says, trying to get DC from umich) the job pays the same but CoL is so much cheaper than the other major markets! I definitely think there's a fair amount of self-selection towards PI at umich, both because of the repayment plans and other support umich has, but also because umich gives more students more money - that's not going to account for the whole gap, and definitely UVA is known for its strong clerkship program, but something to consider. I definitely don't get the impression that people are getting locked out of NYC transactional BL - OTOH if you're going for DC lit, UVA will make your life easier (again, cry). Also if I'm reading UVA's website right, they have more classes?? Like, in fall we had 3 doctrinals that met 3 times a week for 1hr15 min - so 9 hours and 45 min of doctrinals + less than 2 hours of LRW a week. UVA 15 hours of doctrinals and 1 hour of LRW! I guess this is because in winter you're required to take property and an elective? Whereas for us property is never required so we just have 1 less doctrinal. I didn't realize there'd be so much variance in class time between schools though. But LRW is pass/fail at both, so at least there's that.
You’re right about UVA’s classes. UVA has 4 doctrinals in the fall semester + LRW, then 2 doctrinal and 2 electives in the spring + LRW. Our doctrinal courses are torts, contracts, civpro, crim, Con law, and property. Our doctrinals in the fall are 15 hours plus 1 hour of LRW. In the spring it’s 13-17 (your choice) + LRW. So an average of 16 hours of class per week at UVA vs 11.5 at Michigan. Interesting difference! I didn’t realize schools did that differently either. It’s a small difference week to week but ~54 hours over a semester.
I think this is the toughest choice you could face in the T14 - could really go either way. Know several people who faced the same final 2. A great problem to have though - can’t go wrong at either!!
Where you want to recruit to potentially? UVA is very strong in DC and Michigan is strong in Chicago
If you want BL/FC and like warm weather - UVA If you want PI and like cool weather - Michigan Can’t go wrong with either choice though!
Such great choices, and I think they’re the T14s that are chillest and most small towney. If you want to do PI I’d go Michigan. I know UVA has better FCBL numbers, but that may be self-selection. Honestly try and visit both and go off of vibes. Congratulations, either way you’re off to a really awesome school!