Another LS Deathmatch: SMU v. W&M

[AP-375]

Oh no, I didn't mean to ask if u had applied to W and L. I was replying to the above posters comment talking about how their spouse hqated lexington, which I was asking if she meant lexington,va ie W and L. Lexington va is awful and there is nothing to do there. Wmbg isn't like that

Got it. Yeah, I've heard from many that live there that Williamsburg is a good place to live, especially for those not in the partying singles crowd. And it's close enough to DC to keep things fresh, I guess.

[rebexness]

[AP-375]

So, I'm bumping this (because its my thread) and because of the US News ground-shaker: W&M +1 spots, SMU -2! Where do I stand now?!
Just kidding. But seriously, according to USN, W&M has an 84% employment rate with a higher median, while SMU has a 66% rate, which is a bit of a shaker.
Is that enough to sway from the practical SMU option? IDK...

[SrLaw]

I've come to the fountain of all knowledge for help with this decision. A lot of due diligence goes into this decision, and I'd love some objective opinions. Not surprisingly, since cost is roughly equal, my main two concerns are quality of life and job prospects. A couple of background notes:

1) I'm interested in corporate law, thinking about a JD/MBA, and wouldn't mind slaving away for the biggest law possible for a while.
2) I'm from Texas and wouldn't mind practicing here, but I'm up for change. I currently work at a well-established Texas firm that recruits at both schools (same class rank cut-off), and I've made really good connections here so I think that I could probably get back if I'm dying to. But if I fall in love with the east, that's cool too.
3) I've got a wife and two kids, so QOL is a huge factor, and the idea of a beautiful, old, rural town on the east coast sounds much more appealing than another big Texas city.
4) If the stars aligned and I had a chance to transfer to a T10, I probably would.

I've visited SMU and am planning a trip to W&M next month.
I really appreciate your opinion.

(HT for the "deathmatch" title: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=149679)

I would give you my 77000 in SMU $$$ for the W&M acceptance.

[kalvano]

So, I'm bumping this (because its my thread) and because of the US News ground-shaker: W&M +1 spots, SMU -2! Where do I stand now?!
Just kidding. But seriously, according to USN, W&M has an 84% employment rate with a higher median, while SMU has a 66% rate, which is a bit of a shaker.
Is that enough to sway from the practical SMU option? IDK...

As I stated in another thread - SMU has always placed very, very well in Dallas. The data they used in gathering those numbers reflects the worst recession in decades and the worst legal market in years. I don't think it will be that bad by the time I graduate, much less you.