UC Hastings vs Loyola LA Forum

[truxalc]

I've been stressing over these two, and I'm having trouble deciding. So I've come here for some outside perspective/insight that might help me in making my decision. The reason this is last minute is because my law school choices depended on my fiance's job opportunities, and she recently received an offer in the bay area and LA.

Here are some things to note:

-I want to practice in California, but I'm not picky whether it's north or south (as long as it's near the coast).

-I've received scholarships/grants from both universities, but Loyola has the 30% stipulation while Hastings has none. Loyola's scholarship will pay about 70% of my fees/tuition, while Hastings' will pay for a little over 50%. I also have some Veteran benefits that will cover the remaining of the first year balance, so my first year will be free regardless of where I go.

-I scored a 158 on my LSAT and graduated with a 3.78 GPA from a CSU.

-I am interested in practicing in the Public Interest realm, most likely at a non-profit.

The reason that I'm torn is because I feel the 30% stipulation is a trap of sorts (only 40% of the students who received it were able to retain it last year); but from my understanding the non-profit legal market is larger in Los Angeles, so I figure that Loyola gives me a better chance at entering that market. On the other hand, Hastings supposedly has a very large Public Interest job fair.

Any advice and/or insight is appreciated.

[Danteshek]

You took the words right out of my mouth. LA has the much larger legal non-profit sector. LA also has more people who need help. And since you are going into PI, federal loans are funny money. With IBR (and its even more generous public interest counterpart), there is no way you will need to pay back those loans.

[Hannibal]

Hastings, because of the Loyola stips.

[Borhas]

Hastings, it has better job prospects across the state, has a better LRAP and doesn't have any stips

and yeah, PI/PS day/job fair is at Hastings (coincidentally, that was where I landed my summer job)

[vb007]

there are plenty of public interest opportunities at Hastings. i would recommend taking advantage of their grant.