Rutgers-Newark v. Suffolk ($$) v. UConn (WL) Forum

[JD16]

After ruling out a bunch of others, I am trying to reach a final decision between these three. I am from Jersey and while I wouldn't mind settling down there but I'd probably prefer New England in the long run. As a long-time lurker, I am certainly realistic about my opportunities to make big money right out of school. My main concerns are minimizing debt (all schools are PT and I am planning to work during the day to help defray costs) and having the best possible job prospects at graduation. Without going too far into it, retaking 100% not an option for me and I am going to law school this fall.

Here's the story:

Rutgers - Newark: Currently have my deposit in here. I am aware of its solid reputation within the a very insular state. I do have pretty decent connections. Tuition would be little over 60K for the four years and I could potentially live at home if I really need to save money.

Suffolk: Offered 20K per year with a 3.0 GPA stipulation (remember, it's PT so 20K is a much larger portion of the tuition and worth 80K overall). Apparently 85% of students keep their scholarships so that is not too much of a concern. But as stands right now, even with the scholarship, Suffolk costs just about as much as Rutgers-Newark despite being a tier down. It would be difficult to justify right now but I am considering trying to use Rutgers-Newark's ranking, in-state tuition costs, and the potential for me to save on living to see if I can inch Suffolk a bit closer to a full-tide. Does this seem plausible? In any event I am definitely a bit worried about job prospects in the long-run as I don't have any meaningful connections.

UConn: I am wait-listed here. I really liked it when I visited and have kept up by sending LOCIs every 3-4 weeks since receiving my decision. No real connections but I am intrigued by the weight that the name carries within the New England region and I wouldn't mind being stuck in the state. It would likely cost about 18K/20K more than Rutgers-Newark, assuming that I establish Connecticut residency after the first year. So, the real question is whether or not I should continue to push the wait-list and go if I get in.

[Tiago Splitter]

My main concerns are minimizing debt...and having the best possible job prospects

retaking 100% not an option for me and I am going to law school this fall

I hate to do it, but those statements are incompatible.

[JD16]

My main concerns are minimizing debt...and having the best possible job prospects

retaking 100% not an option for me and I am going to law school this fall

I hate to do it, but those statements are incompatible.

I do appreciate the input but again its relative. I am not expecting big earnings in year one...I just want a decent career down the line and none of these options are exceptionally expensive.

[Tiago Splitter]

Since you're going part time you should go wherever you can find a decent job to work during law school.

I also think you're severely underrating the importance of getting a good legal job in year one.

[JD16]

Valid point. I guess what I'm just trying to say is that I'm ok with making a middling salary for a few years after I'm out as long as I can make a living out of it eventually (from from lucrative but enough to pay the bills). I understand that many people aren't even having that amount of luck but with the max debt being around 75k and schools that at least have decent reps in their home markets...I'm hoping to give myself the best shot I can.

[wfudeacons2005]

I guess Suffolk if you can get the full ride but I don't know why they would give it to you after already dishing out 20K. Otherwise, I'd say RU.

[JD16]

I guess Suffolk if you can get the full ride but I don't know why they would give it to you after already dishing out 20K. Otherwise, I'd say RU.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if it was even worth a shot. Free school would be appealing but I suppose that 60 thousand saved is pretty meaningless if I can't even find work after graduating. Thanks for the input.

[andiev10]

I guess Suffolk if you can get the full ride but I don't know why they would give it to you after already dishing out 20K. Otherwise, I'd say RU.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if it was even worth a shot. Free school would be appealing but I suppose that 60 thousand saved is pretty meaningless if I can't even find work after graduating. Thanks for the input.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I currently have a full scholarship for Suffolk and have some money for Fordham and GW. Free school sounds really appealing but not at the risk of lower job prospects.

[rad lulz]

.

[JD16]

Suffolk is blahhhhh

R-N is probably the saner choice for $75k debt.

Yeah, I just looked a bit more at Suffolk's number...pretty scare. Chances of any law are like 55% right now? At least RU and UConn will likely get me in the door somewhere.

[Void]

I vote Rutgers, even though I go to UConn. Job market in NJ/NY is much better than out here in CT. plus, minimizing your COL by living at home would be a huge benefit. Dont let the (swiftly diminishing) difference in rankings fool you; RU-N is every bit as good as UConn. Both are big public flagships with solid regional alumni bases. But CT's job economy is awful and shows few signs of resurrection. In fact I sort of wish I had gone to Rutgers.

[JD16]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Still decided to send Suffolk an e-mail on the deposit date...hell if they give me a full-ride it'd be tough to turn down. But, other than that, it looks like I'll be sticking with RU.

[romothesavior]

Suffolk is blahhhhh

R-N is probably the saner choice for $75k debt.

Yeah, I just looked a bit more at Suffolk's number...pretty scare. Chances of any law are like 55% right now? At least RU and UConn will likely get me in the door somewhere.

I think one thing often lost on applicants is how shitty many legal jobs are. You just want a "decent career" and aren't expecting "big earnings" the first year out? Well I hate to say it, but get in line. Tens of thousands of other students and recent grads would lose an appendage for a job like that. It's not like if you miss biglaw you will be walking into a reasonable salary and working 40-hour weeks. If you are lucky enough to get a job, it could well be a 60+ hour grind and mid-five figures doing slip and fall insurance defense, or making even less doing legal aid for degenerates who have zero appreciation for all the work you do for them. Or maybe working in one of those unpaid "internships" at the AG's office.

If you have to go to law school now (which you don't, but it sounds like you've convinced yourself you do), go to Rutgers and live at home all three years to save on costs. It's not a terrible option if the cost is low and you have the ties, although New Jersey's market is just absolutely decimated. I just think you should do some soul searching first and make sure you are gong to law school for the right reasons and all that good stuff. It could be a great career for you (I don't know you), but it could also be the worst mistake of your life.

[wfudeacons2005]

Suffolk is blahhhhh

R-N is probably the saner choice for $75k debt.

Yeah, I just looked a bit more at Suffolk's number...pretty scare. Chances of any law are like 55% right now? At least RU and UConn will likely get me in the door somewhere.

I think one thing often lost on applicants is how shitty many legal jobs are. You just want a "decent career" and aren't expecting "big earnings" the first year out? Well I hate to say it, but get in line. Tens of thousands of other students and recent grads would lose an appendage for a job like that. It's not like if you miss biglaw you will be walking into a reasonable salary and working 40-hour weeks. If you are lucky enough to get a job, it could well be a 60+ hour grind and mid-five figures doing slip and fall insurance defense, or making even less doing legal aid for degenerates who have zero appreciation for all the work you do for them. Or maybe working in one of those unpaid "internships" at the AG's office.

If you have to go to law school now (which you don't, but it sounds like you've convinced yourself you do), go to Rutgers and live at home all three years to save on costs. It's not a terrible option if the cost is low and you have the ties, although New Jersey's market is just absolutely decimated. I just think you should do some soul searching first and make sure you are gong to law school for the right reasons and all that good stuff. It could be a great career for you (I don't know you), but it could also be the worst mistake of your life.

Very good post. For all of the unproductive bashing that goes on, I think this is actually helpful. While I am almost definitely going to RU, I'm pretty realistic that my job opps may not be phenomenal at all but I'm willing to take the risk. Nevertheless, this is why I think if you can somehow negotiate Suffolk up to 25k/30k, I think it may not not be too bad to be 20K in debt from there rather than 70K in debt from RU if your goal is Boston/New England.

[JD16]

Suffolk is blahhhhh

R-N is probably the saner choice for $75k debt.

Yeah, I just looked a bit more at Suffolk's number...pretty scare. Chances of any law are like 55% right now? At least RU and UConn will likely get me in the door somewhere.

I think one thing often lost on applicants is how shitty many legal jobs are. You just want a "decent career" and aren't expecting "big earnings" the first year out? Well I hate to say it, but get in line. Tens of thousands of other students and recent grads would lose an appendage for a job like that. It's not like if you miss biglaw you will be walking into a reasonable salary and working 40-hour weeks. If you are lucky enough to get a job, it could well be a 60+ hour grind and mid-five figures doing slip and fall insurance defense, or making even less doing legal aid for degenerates who have zero appreciation for all the work you do for them. Or maybe working in one of those unpaid "internships" at the AG's office.

If you have to go to law school now (which you don't, but it sounds like you've convinced yourself you do), go to Rutgers and live at home all three years to save on costs. It's not a terrible option if the cost is low and you have the ties, although New Jersey's market is just absolutely decimated. I just think you should do some soul searching first and make sure you are gong to law school for the right reasons and all that good stuff. It could be a great career for you (I don't know you), but it could also be the worst mistake of your life.

Very good post. For all of the unproductive bashing that goes on, I think this is actually helpful. While I am almost definitely going to RU, I'm pretty realistic that my job opps may not be phenomenal at all but I'm willing to take the risk. Nevertheless, this is why I think if you can somehow negotiate Suffolk up to 25k/30k, I think it may not not be too bad to be 20K in debt from there rather than 70K in debt from RU if your goal is Boston/New England.

Thanks for all of the great advice! Boston/New England is certainly my ideal and if I can get Suffolk up to 30K from the 20K I'm at now (they gave me a deposit extension until 5/1), I'd at least consider it. The job prospects seem to be pretty frightening despite having a solid reputation/street credibility up there but if I'm only taking out 15K over four years then I'll have a lot less to worry about, as WFU said. However, if they don't budge to basically a full-ride then I guess I'll take everyones advice, stick with RU-N for the time being and ride out UConn until mid-summer at least to keep my options open.

[wfudeacons2005]

Sounds like a decent plan...good luck!