Top Law Schools

I am most interested in doing Big Law after graduation. I am also interested in practicing either in the East Coast (Boston, NYC, Philly, DC, Atlanta), or in California (San Fran, L.A, San Diego). Having said that, which one would you choose, and why?


University of Wisconsin

or

University of Iowa

GPA/LSAT? Scholarships? COA? Home town?

You will have to do exceptionally well to score big law in any of those markets (like top 10%).

You're probably not gonna get biglaw without retaking and getting into a T14/18 school. Also not only are biglaw chances from those schools bad, but neither is respected in those coastal markets. Also you probably don't even have ties to those markets.

LSAT 163

LSAC Calculated UGPA: 3.41
University Calculated GPA: 3.47
In Major GPA: 3.90

2 Years of solid work experience, plus a Masters degree.

Hometown is Washington DC metro.

Not an URM, but a minority.

I was awarded 9k a year scholarship from Wisconsin, and nominated for a scholarship from Iowa (though, no details on the amount yet)

Schools that I have been wait listed in:

UVA
Emory
Wash U
W&M
W&L
Indiana
UC Davis
Georgia
Fordham
Minnesota
UIUC

Well, Iowa has TTTerrible scholly sTTTips. You have to be in the top 1/3 of the class to retain it. Easier said than done. The 9k Scholly from Wisc is still more expensive than paying instate there. So it is practically sticker. Both schools basically limit you to their state. Since you are not from either of those places, I would think carefully before pulling the trigger, since you would likely have to at least start your career there.

If you are big law or bust, then retake.

Shit retake anyway because those schools are hilariously overpriced.

Based on your stated goal of East Coast or West Coast biglaw, you need to retake the LSAT & reapply next cycle or get into Virginia from the waitlist.