Top Law Schools

So, I got $20,000/year from UMN and I visited and liked it, but I'm not sure I was blown away. I'm from the northeast and, if possible, I'd like to return here after law school and I'm not sure how feasible that is with a degree from Minnesota.

I also got in to UCLA and I'd love to attend, but I'm really concerned about the money, especially with the tuition increases. Basically, my dad offered to help me out a little (although I'd still be paying the bulk of it), depending on which school I attend and he is really fixated on what's going on with the CA economy and the state budget crisis and what that means for the UC school system. He seems to be certain that, with faculty paycuts, they're going to lose good professors and, as he put it, "destroy the school system." While I think he may have some valid points, I do think he's exaggerating and I'm having a hard time convincing him that UCLA will retain its reputation/quality through this situation. What are people's thoughts on the future of UCLA (ranking-wise and otherwise)/will it be worth the extra money?

Do you all think I will have greater mobility with a UCLA degree than with a UMN degree?

I've added a poll, but I'd really like people's feedback about this situation. Thanks a lot!

Neither school has much national pull, but UCLA will probably get you back east with slightly more ease. UMN is supposed to have a decent alumni network in DC, so keep that in mind.

The UC law schools are pretty insulated from the financial disaster that is the UC system, because very little of their funding comes from the system itself. I think the school is raising tuition specifically so that it keeps the same cash inflow, and while it is annoying in comparison to what people used to pay, UCLA is still cheaper than most of the other private schools at similar rank.
I know of one professor leaving UCLA, but he is going to Berkeley. UCLA is always going to attract professors because of the weather.
60k saved is nothing to scoff at, but I would imagine you'll have an infinitely easier time getting back to the northeast with a UCLA degree than you will with a UMN degree. These seem like 2 strange options to be between for the northeast though... What happened to the BC/BU apps?

UCLA can get you back east. It got me back east, with offers to spare. Many east coast firms (mix of Boston, NYC and DC) came to OCI last year (for Summer 2009 - I'm a 3L now) - although many did not come this past year, from what I've heard. In any event, bottom line is that it can get you back east, but you need to be the top 5-10% of your class to even have a shot.

I would take it over Minnesota. Seems like your Boston/NYC/DC options would be pretty horrible from there.

waldodanto wrote:The UC law schools are pretty insulated from the financial disaster that is the UC system, because very little of their funding comes from the system itself. I think the school is raising tuition specifically so that it keeps the same cash inflow, and while it is annoying in comparison to what people used to pay, UCLA is still cheaper than most of the other private schools at similar rank.
I know of one professor leaving UCLA, but he is going to Berkeley. UCLA is always going to attract professors because of the weather.
60k saved is nothing to scoff at, but I would imagine you'll have an infinitely easier time getting back to the northeast with a UCLA degree than you will with a UMN degree. These seem like 2 strange options to be between for the northeast though... What happened to the BC/BU apps?

Thanks for the info. I didn't apply to BC, but BU waitlisted me. I sent in my applications pretty late...:-\

It's not absolutely necessary that I get back to the northeast, but it would be nice. I would, however, prefer to stay in CA than to be stuck in Minnesota.

x1000000!

dreamweaver87 wrote:

waldodanto wrote:The UC law schools are pretty insulated from the financial disaster that is the UC system, because very little of their funding comes from the system itself. I think the school is raising tuition specifically so that it keeps the same cash inflow, and while it is annoying in comparison to what people used to pay, UCLA is still cheaper than most of the other private schools at similar rank.
I know of one professor leaving UCLA, but he is going to Berkeley. UCLA is always going to attract professors because of the weather.
60k saved is nothing to scoff at, but I would imagine you'll have an infinitely easier time getting back to the northeast with a UCLA degree than you will with a UMN degree. These seem like 2 strange options to be between for the northeast though... What happened to the BC/BU apps?

Thanks for the info. I didn't apply to BC, but BU waitlisted me. I sent in my applications pretty late...:-\

It's not absolutely necessary that I get back to the northeast, but it would be nice. I would, however, prefer to stay in CA than to be stuck in Minnesota.

Any more thoughts? Think it's possible for me to get any money from UCLA if they didn't offer me anything? I already e-mailed them my offers and the dean said he would pass it on t the scholarship committee and get back to me this week, but I'm wondering how likely that is.

I hate deposit deadlines. :-\

You've asked for money so that's all you can do. I think UCLA is the clear choice here. You'd like to be in the northeast, you'd tolerate being in Cali, you don't want to be in Minnesota. I don't think there's even a question. UCLA has a very good name nationally, even though most of its grads stay in Cali (by choice in my cases I think).

quadsixm wrote:x1000000!

dreamweaver87 wrote:

waldodanto wrote:The UC law schools are pretty insulated from the financial disaster that is the UC system, because very little of their funding comes from the system itself. I think the school is raising tuition specifically so that it keeps the same cash inflow, and while it is annoying in comparison to what people used to pay, UCLA is still cheaper than most of the other private schools at similar rank.
I know of one professor leaving UCLA, but he is going to Berkeley. UCLA is always going to attract professors because of the weather.
60k saved is nothing to scoff at, but I would imagine you'll have an infinitely easier time getting back to the northeast with a UCLA degree than you will with a UMN degree. These seem like 2 strange options to be between for the northeast though... What happened to the BC/BU apps?

Thanks for the info. I didn't apply to BC, but BU waitlisted me. I sent in my applications pretty late...:-\

It's not absolutely necessary that I get back to the northeast, but it would be nice. I would, however, prefer to stay in CA than to be stuck in Minnesota.

Don't go to Minnesota.

splinter23x wrote:You've asked for money so that's all you can do. I think UCLA is the clear choice here. You'd like to be in the northeast, you'd tolerate being in Cali, you don't want to be in Minnesota. I don't think there's even a question. UCLA has a very good name nationally, even though most of its grads stay in Cali (by choice in my cases I think).

Thanks. Just trying to justify if it's worth the extra money, I guess. Especially with everything going on in their economy that could affect the school.

dreamweaver87 wrote: Thanks. Just trying to justify if it's worth the extra money, I guess. Especially with everything going on in their economy that could affect the school.

It's worth the extra money. Law school isn't for the risk-averse. Better to not go to law school than to go to Minnesota, when you don't want to live in Minnesota, just to save a few bucks. You really have 3 options here:

1) Go to Minnesota, accept that you'll have to live there, and potentially get a job there (though not at all guaranteed, you still need to get good grades)
2) Go to Minnesota, refuse to live there, and graduate unemployed, with debt.
3) Go to UCLA, pay a little extra in tuition, and graduate with a very good potential for a job in Cali and maybe the east coast, with a little extra debt.

Seems like (3) is the only viable option in your case.