Below are a summary of how they apply to me (good and bad). This list is being posted not only for myself to weigh the options but allow others to opine.
I'm married and expecting our first child in December (final exams) so that is one of my top considerations. First year income is going to be REALLY low and I have to consider my family. We are currently debt free. Been out of school for 2 years with some work experience unrelated (directly) to legal profession.
I have a 3.8 GPA and with little preparation got a 152 LSAT (bad standardized test taker). I applied fairly late in the game December-March. I'm almost 28 years old. Huge sports fan. No specific focus of law yet, but interest in Media, Intellectual prop, tax and estate planning, but trying to be open to all. Enjoy research, history, and travel.
Wife and I love sports namely football. I love outdoors and travel.
No matter which school have to pick up and move from Northern Utah within weeks. Yes I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon).
Need to make a decision by this Friday.
Missouri
- Visited and loved Columbia, MO
Undergrad was in Journalism considering doing joint degree with Mizzou's great journalism school. Met with the J-school and they think I would likely be given a teaching fellow (like a full-ride scholarship) if accepted simply due to demand for Master's students.
Easy to get in-state after 1 year. Will be out of state tuition ($34,031) for first year and in-state ($17,180) for 2nd and 3rd.
Approx. Total (tuition only)=$68,391
No electrical outlets in classroom.
Lots of civil war and legal history.
Lots of LDS church history.
Tornadoes and severe storms (not use to).
LDS membership for state of Missouri is 1.08%.
Ranked in top 100 schools for last three years (65, 93, ~100)
Close to St Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson for jobs, etc.
Lots of professional sports teams close (Kansas City, St. Louis).
Cost of living is not terrible.
2 bedroom apartment price range $495-$1,000+
Chase Daniel (alumni), B. Gabbert (alumni).
Athletics in the Big 12 Conference.
"Specialties:" #4 in Dispute Resolution
- I have visited the State of Oregon and the coast and I enjoy it very much. Love the Northwest. Never Eugene or the school itself however.
Joint opportunities available is a few interest areas.
Residency is determined upon starting school and will not change. Was offered $5,000 renewable scholarship (2.0 GPA, FT) making out of state tuition ($27,590).
Approx. Total (tuition only) = $82,770
Legal history and innovative state.
No major storms. Great weather.
LDS membership for state is 3.80%.
Ranked in top 80 schools last three years (77, 80, 79).
Cost of Living is not terrible.
2 bedroom apartment range $500-$1,000+.
Law School starts in August. Undergrads and rest of university don't start until September.
Portland, Seattle jobs, sports teams, etc.
Nike Headquarters in state.
Puddles the Duck.
Athletics in Pac 12 Conference.
"Specialties:" #8 in Dispute Resolution, #8 Environmental Law, #5 Legal Writing.
- Going through the application process again is not a fun idea.
Could study harder and take LSAT again in October, but would have to "cram" to try to improve.
8 or so more points (160) could result in scholarships and broader range of possible schools.
Work another year and Earn more money to go into school.
Can apply earlier (September-December) and get more opportunities and choices for 2012.
First baby will be born while not in school and will be almost 1 by time of next fall (2012) finals.
Can pursue current start-up small business opportunities (journalism and marketing)
Close to family for 1st child.
Could do worse or same on LSAT which does not help.
Could apply to more than the 7 or so schools that applied to, including in-state schools such as Utah or BYU. (got in to 6 of the 7--was waitlisted then rejected at Miami)
Don't want to dwell on "what ifs" too much....
It is hard to say "no"
- No stress in making the decision now
Gained nothing but "experience" of applying this year
It is hard to say "no"