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I need to know what T-14 schools are near areas that my wife can use her shiny new Masters in Non-Profit studies. I've been looking near bigger cities. Any comments or ideas?

Seriously, you can't just list out the 14 (12, actually) cities?

*New Haven, CT
Boston, MA
Palo Alto, CA
New York, NY
Chicago, IL
New York, NY
*Ann Arbor, MI
Philadelphia, PA
Berkeley, CA
*Charlottesville, VA
*Durham, NC
Chicago, IL
*Ithaca, NY
Washington, DC

*not in/near major city

Masters in non-profit studies:

Hmm...

Well, first lets just think of places in general that would want an employee with such a credential.

Get back to me when you think of one, because I can't think of any.

If you didn't say t14 - though it should be t10 or maybe even t5 - I'd make a comparison (concerning worthlessness) between a masters in non-profit studies and your soon to be jd.

rinkrat19 wrote:Seriously, you can't just list out the 14 (12, actually) cities?

*New Haven, CT
Boston, MA
Palo Alto, CA
New York, NY
Chicago, IL
New York, NY
*Ann Arbor, MI
Philadelphia, PA
Berkeley, CA
*Charlottesville, VA
*Durham, NC
Chicago, IL
*Ithaca, NY
Washington, DC

*not in/near major city

This.

But if you get into the school in New Haven, forget about your wife's masters and just go there.

I played with your wife. I know what she likes.

Verity wrote:I played with your wife. I know what she likes.

She said to get yourself checked out. LOL.

I would consider school in the top 20, but I know that I have the criteria for T-14.

Some people will scream back at me that it's not a t-14, but texas would be good for your wife. austin has a tonnnn of non-profits. all the major non-profits have an office there (it's the state capitol). also col is super low - low enough that if your wife found a position, even an entry-level one, you could easily live off of her salary.

Enter here---> http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... w-rankings

Trace applicable column. Work your way down.

There should be McDonalds and/or retail jobs in all of the cities w T14 schools.

rinkrat19 wrote:Seriously, you can't just list out the 14 (12, actually) cities?

*New Haven, CT
Boston, MA
Palo Alto, CA
New York, NY
Chicago, IL
New York, NY
*Ann Arbor, MI
Philadelphia, PA
Berkeley, CA
*Charlottesville, VA
*Durham, NC
Chicago, IL
*Ithaca, NY
Washington, DC

*not in/near major city

ann arbor is pretty close to detroit (about 30-45 min drive) and actually has quite a bit of non-profit activity going on itself.

DC has more non profit organizations than politicians.

About the only place that will have as many/more non-profits than a big city would be a college town.

Pick on the basis of the best debt to job prospect ratio for you and then tap into the university resources to help with your wife's job search.

If you are planning on staying on after graduation, then make sure you like the area.

You can also hold off on when you pick your school and see if your wife can get a job that tips the scales in favor of one school over another.

I see a long-term financial disaster in the making. Let's see: You were born in 1973 which makes you 38, correct? You will be 39 starting law school and 42 when you graduate - nearly 20 years older than your classmates.

In this job and debt environment, I have to ask what the heck you are thinking?

In most cases, legal employers won't give a hill of beans about what you've been doing in the 20 years since undergrad. 2-6 years of meaninful work experience can be an asset, but 15-20 is just a liability.

You are 38 for God's sake! Why are you taking on $200K in student debt at this age? Look at the delta between your current income and your projected earnings as an attorney (minus student loan debt service). In most cases, it just won't be worth it.

Voodoo94 wrote:I see a long-term financial disaster in the making. Let's see: You were born in 1973 which makes you 38, correct? You will be 39 starting law school and 42 when you graduate - nearly 20 years older than your classmates.

In this job and debt environment, I have to ask what the heck you are thinking?

In most cases, legal employers won't give a hill of beans about what you've been doing in the 20 years since undergrad. 2-6 years of meaninful work experience can be an asset, but 15-20 is just a liability.

You are 38 for God's sake! Why are you taking on $200K in student debt at this age? Look at the delta between your current income and your projected earnings as an attorney (minus student loan debt service). In most cases, it just won't be worth it.

That's the thing. I haven't paid more than $500 in my educational expenses. I've worked the money thing pretty well. I'm not worried about it all that much. I have heard this time and again, from naysayers. I feel that I can qualify for a good school with money. If not, we'll sell our home (paid off) if need be. My wife and I are both well informed. I also have good local contacts in various places for mid-firm work (in several types of law). While that isn't a job, my wife and I both feel that the time and the action are right here.

As always, I thank all of the naysayers for their concern. It's nice to know that there are people out there that don't just want to watch what they think is a train-wreck. LOL

That's the thing. I haven't paid more than $500 in my educational expenses. I've worked the money thing pretty well. I'm not worried about it all that much. I have heard this time and again, from naysayers. I feel that I can qualify for a good school with money. If not, we'll sell our home (paid off) if need be. My wife and I are both well informed. I also have good local contacts in various places for mid-firm work (in several types of law). While that isn't a job, my wife and I both feel that the time and the action are right here.

As always, I thank all of the naysayers for their concern. It's nice to know that there are people out there that don't just want to watch what they think is a train-wreck. LOL

Please tell me why a firm would want a 42 year old as an entry-level associate when they can get 25 year olds with no familiy obligations/career habits?

The firms want fungible cogs to work crazy hours for 2-5 years before discarding them. Game Over.

At 42, the thought that you would liquidate the equity in your home for law school - a lottery shot at best - is, frankly, insane.

New York has a lot of non-profits. I don't know how many of them have money to hire anyone given the current economy. Most people I know who work for non-profits have a wealthy family or spouse or made money in another field and went into non-profits, so they can handle the low salary.

I don't know about the age issue. But don't sell your house for a lottery chance at law school. You really need to understand the risks. I know that you think you understand the risks, but if you really did, I don't think you would go to law school - unless you got one of the top 3 or so schools.

Please research the job market carefully after you get accepted to schools.

You really need to apply and get accepted before you decide where to live.

I feel like your career should be taking the driver's seat, right? But if you really don't care, then I'd go for NYC. Sky's the limit for your SO there

Voodoo94 wrote:
Please tell me why a firm would want a 42 year old as an entry-level associate when they can get 25 year olds with no familiy obligations/career habits?

The firms want fungible cogs to work crazy hours for 2-5 years before discarding them. Game Over.

I can't explain firm hiring decisions, but I believe that age is generally overplayed on TLS. A handful of law review members at my school generally fit the bolded profile. They all had multiple summer offers in the V100. Only one is an IP candidate.

At 42, the thought that you would liquidate the equity in your home for law school - a lottery shot at best - is, frankly, insane.

Not the way I would have worded it, but I agree with the point you are trying to make.

both of you should apply broadly and see what sticks

Borhas wrote:both of you should apply broadly and see what sticks

Uh huh.

Eirhoff73 wrote:

Borhas wrote:both of you should apply broadly and see what sticks

Uh huh.

I know it's useless, probably shouldn't have posted it to begin with

maybe she can get a job offer first and then you can apply? Lots of these cities also have T1 schools that you may be able to land scholarship money from. My guess is that her job offer will the limiting factor, not your admission.

rinkrat19 wrote:Seriously, you can't just list out the 14 (12, actually) cities?

*New Haven, CT
Boston, MA
Palo Alto, CA
New York, NY
Chicago, IL
New York, NY
*Ann Arbor, MI
Philadelphia, PA
Berkeley, CA
*Charlottesville, VA
*Durham, NC
Chicago, IL
*Ithaca, NY
Washington, DC

*not in/near major city

Um what? Tons of people commute from A2 to Detroit.

Borhas wrote:

Eirhoff73 wrote:

Borhas wrote:both of you should apply broadly and see what sticks

Uh huh.

I know it's useless, probably shouldn't have posted it to begin with

maybe she can get a job offer first and then you can apply? Lots of these cities also have T1 schools that you may be able to land scholarship money from. My guess is that her job offer will the limiting factor, not your admission.

I tend to agree with you. Thank you.

rinkrat19 wrote:Seriously, you can't just list out the 14 (12, actually) cities?

*New Haven, CT
Boston, MA
Palo Alto, CA
New York, NY
Chicago, IL
New York, NY
*Ann Arbor, MI
Philadelphia, PA
Berkeley, CA
*Charlottesville, VA
*Durham, NC
Chicago, IL
*Ithaca, NY
Washington, DC

*not in/near major city

Ann Arbor is near Detroit. Charlottesville is near DC. Durham is in the RTP area (which has a decent sized non-profit community). You don't need a "major city" to find a good non-profit network. OP's wife should know this.