Top-Law-Schools.comTLS
Home
Law School
Admissions
Law
Schools
Law
Students
TLS
Forums
 
Forum Index     Latest Posts     Forum Search     Mobile (on/off)     Forum Archives     See Also: Rankings/Profiles   Interviews   LSAT Prep   TLS Stats

TLS would like to remind its users that it is unlawful to share or distribute copies of copyrighted materials. Click here for copyright infringement notification information.


All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ] 

SMU with 26k or Wisconsin 10k out of state
Poll ended at Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:05 pm
SMU 45%  45%  [ 5 ]
Wisconsin 54%  54%  [ 6 ]
Total votes : 11
Author Message
 Post subject: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:05 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:30 pm
Posts: 7
Hey all,

I've narrowed my choices down to 2 schools: SMU and Wisconsin. I have ties to both regions, but think I would be slightly happier in Wisconsin long-term. The deciding factor is deciding which school is the more responsible choice financially when considering future employment prospects. I have visited both schools and like them both.

COA at SMU: 64k - 26k scholarship = 38K total

COA at Wisconsin: 57k -10k scholarship = 47k

One other factor is that I will not need a car at Wisconsin, but will have to keep my car at SMU.

Thanks in advance for the help!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:09 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:04 pm
Posts: 4621
Wisconsin since you'd rather live there


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:12 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:56 am
Posts: 2072
Your chances of getting a high paying job are higher at SMU, and so I vote SMU. My opinion may have been different had you not been looking at massive debt.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:14 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:04 pm
Posts: 4621
Aberzombie1892 wrote:
Your chances of getting a high paying job are higher at SMU, and so I vote SMU. My opinion may have been different had you not been looking at massive debt.


Did I read the OP wrong or did he say 40-60k roughly for COA? I wouldn't call that massive debt.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:24 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 1:49 am
Posts: 30
minnbills wrote:
Aberzombie1892 wrote:
Your chances of getting a high paying job are higher at SMU, and so I vote SMU. My opinion may have been different had you not been looking at massive debt.


Did I read the OP wrong or did he say 40-60k roughly for COA? I wouldn't call that massive debt.

I assume that was for one year...


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:26 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:04 pm
Posts: 4621
jdamele76 wrote:
I assume that was for one year...


I'm not sure, if it's per year then I'd agree with you

edit: agree with aber, rather


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:36 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:30 pm
Posts: 7
Yes, the figures listed above are for 1 year. Granted, I believe they are high when the schools list $1,000 for a computer (which I have already), or several thousand dollars for "miscellaneous" in their estimates, but I'm sure they are somewhat close.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:47 pm 
Online
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2012 11:25 pm
Posts: 5857
Neither of these schools are particularly good for the prices you have listed (I assume this is per year).

This being said, both schools are highly regional in nature. Pick the school in the area that you want to live and work in after school. You indicated that you liked Wisconsin more, so I voted for Wisconsin.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:09 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:09 am
Posts: 1304
You need to adjust your Wisconsin numbers. It will be significantly cheaper, assuming you get residency after 1L


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:14 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:04 pm
Posts: 4621
noleknight16 wrote:
You need to adjust your Wisconsin numbers. It will be significantly cheaper, assuming you get residency after 1L


I think it's very difficult to get in-state residency at WI


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:15 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:30 pm
Posts: 7
Wisconsin does not grant in-state residency after your first year. Besides that, what adjustments to these numbers are you referring to?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:17 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:35 pm
Posts: 6
Wisconsin is really hard to gain residency for if you are just living there as a student, so I wouldn't count on it. Also the moron governor Walker is slashing the UW system budget by hundreds of millions, meaning the law school will have less resources.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:20 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:09 am
Posts: 1304
tmj830 wrote:
Wisconsin does not grant in-state residency after your first year. Besides that, what adjustments to these numbers are you referring to?


Well never mind then lol


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:49 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:37 pm
Posts: 1116
SMU but only because I like north Dallas. Actually you probably shouldn't go that is way too expensive. 120k debt?

Do you have other debt?

I think top 25% can interview for BigLaw. I looked at their 2010 numbers but they didn't report % in law firms. They did report that 86% of those who were working full time in the private sector made a median of 85k, very strong for a school of that rank.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:53 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2011 5:30 pm
Posts: 7
Lord Randolph McDuff wrote:
SMU but only because I like north Dallas. Actually you probably shouldn't go that is way too expensive. 120k debt?

Do you have other debt?

I think top 25% can interview for BigLaw. I looked at their 2010 numbers but they didn't report % in law firms. They did report that 86% of those who were working full time in the private sector made a median of 85k, very strong for a school of that rank.


I have about 40,000 from undergraduate studies. For the past two years I've been teaching high school math (not the best career to help with student loans, let me tell ya!), but I will have enough saved to cover personal expenses and pay off my car over the next two years.

I realize the astronomical risk that comes with taking on law school. However, I do feel confident that if I come out making something like the median listed above (at a minimum) and live responsibly, I can make a good living for myself over time.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:44 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 1:57 am
Posts: 30
If the debt at Wisconsin is a huge concern, you can always defer a year, (hopefully) find a job in Wisconsin, and enjoy their very cheap in-state tuition. I'd talk to Rebecca or a financial aid person to make sure, but i'm pretty certain you'll be able to keep your scholarship and they'll grant you in-state tuition. They implied that was an option when I talked to them earlier this year, and in your situation it might make sense.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:21 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 2:24 am
Posts: 11473
No way SMU will actually cost you the full amount in estimated COL loans. You can get by with less.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: SMU vs. Wisconsin- Need input!
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:17 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2012 6:07 pm
Posts: 58
kalvano wrote:
No way SMU will actually cost you the full amount in estimated COL loans. You can get by with less.

SMU's COA includes 15,500 in living expenses. That is insane


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: jbagelboy, ndel21, PigBodine and 14 guests



Princeton Review LSAT

Search for:
Jump to:  
Login     Contact     Copyright Notice

copyright 2003-2013 top-law-schools.com • all rights reserved • powered by phpBB