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TLS Forumers,

I am really struggling with my decision of where to attend law school and I am looking for some opinions. If possible, please back up these opinions.

My current offers are:

School - Scholarship
Notre Dame Law - 25k/yr, 75k total
U of San Diego Law - 39k/yr + 4k work study/yr, 129k total
Arizona State University - 35k L1, 20k L2, 10k L3 (Also, if I don't get in-state tuition after L1 they have offered me 30k in L2)

My parents are also willing to give me 10k each year, and I have about 9k in the bank.

I have been working for a personal injury firm for the past year, and in the worst case scenario I could always come back here and begin my career with trying cases with the partners. The problem for me is that I would like to at least have some options just in case I do not want to do that. I believe I would like to work in Southern CA, but I haven't actually lived anywhere else (besides NorCal for undergrad) so I cannot say for sure that I would mind living somewhere else. I believe all of these options leave me with a manageable amount of debt, but obviously USD would leave me with practically no debt. Is it worth it to go to ND, take about 60k of debt, and see what options I have, and if necessary return back home? Also, how does everyone feel about ASU? They placed very highly in this years USNWR rankings, but I don't feel great about that ranking staying so high in the coming years.

I'm just here for some opinions, hopefully coming from students of these schools who can tell me what they feel is the best move.

Thanks!

By the way, I am not exactly thrilled about the prospect of taking the BigLaw route, but the salary is appealing. The thing is, though, I see the amount the attorneys I work for make, and it is closer to 400k/year on average, sometimes higher if they get a great case that year. I ultimately want to work for myself, but I would like to have some exposure to different types of law before I say for sure what I would like to do. I do have a background in Economics, which gravitates me toward M&A, or perhaps tax. Basically I would like options, and I am wondering if the better options come from

1) Graduating from USD with the least amount of debt
2) Graduating for ND with some debt, but making better connections and having better OC Recruiting
3) Graduating form ASU, which falls somewhere in between

Take Notre Dame and Touchdown Jesus.

Since you want Southern CA, are these the only options? I think you would be better suited going to one of the UC schools or USC. With ND it is possible to get back to CA, but you will have much more legwork to do. As for ASU, I wouldn't pay any mind to the USNWR rankings. They have no correlation with employment, nevermind mobility.

Retake the 164 and don't waste your 3.8.

164 is my 3rd try!

stillwater wrote:Since you want Southern CA, are these the only options? I think you would be better suited going to one of the UC schools or USC. With ND it is possible to get back to CA, but you will have much more legwork to do. As for ASU, I wouldn't pay any mind to the USNWR rankings. They have no correlation with employment, nevermind mobility.

I'm still waiting from USC. Didn't even apply to UCLA. I am a URM too btw.

bjokay wrote: I'm still waiting from USC. Didn't even apply to UCLA. I am a URM too btw.

bjokay wrote:164 is my 3rd try!

Then I'd take USD for free over Notre Dame. You don't really have much chance at biglaw from either, so I'd probably go to USD, graduate with no debt, and try and get started at the small firm you're at now.

tfleming09 wrote:

bjokay wrote: I'm still waiting from USC. Didn't even apply to UCLA. I am a URM too btw.

The only reason I didn't apply is because my 164 came in February, so when I was filling out Apps I had a 160 and only applied to schools that I felt would give me a chance with that score. I didn't feel UCLA fell into that category.


BTW Notre Dame does have BigLaw prospects but they are quite limited. Like Top 10%, but probably closer to top 5%

bjokay wrote:
The only reason I didn't apply is because my 164 came in February, so when I was filling out Apps I had a 160 and only applied to schools that I felt would give me a chance with that score. I didn't feel UCLA fell into that category.


BTW Notre Dame does have BigLaw prospects but they are quite limited. Like Top 10%, but probably closer to top 5%

Ima be real with you bruh, a 3.8/164/URM should have better options. May be worth waiting out the cycle and applying early if you can. You'd definitely snag one of USC/UCLA and maybe Berkeley (maybe).

There's some green amongst the red in your range

tfleming09 wrote:

bjokay wrote:
The only reason I didn't apply is because my 164 came in February, so when I was filling out Apps I had a 160 and only applied to schools that I felt would give me a chance with that score. I didn't feel UCLA fell into that category.


BTW Notre Dame does have BigLaw prospects but they are quite limited. Like Top 10%, but probably closer to top 5%

Ima be real with you bruh, a 3.8/164/URM should have better options. May be worth waiting out the cycle and applying early if you can. You'd definitely snag one of USC/UCLA and maybe Berkeley (maybe).

Depends on what kind of URM, but if AA, then reapplying early next cycle is definitely credited. Probably not a bad idea in general with a February app.

tfleming09 wrote:

bjokay wrote:
The only reason I didn't apply is because my 164 came in February, so when I was filling out Apps I had a 160 and only applied to schools that I felt would give me a chance with that score. I didn't feel UCLA fell into that category.


BTW Notre Dame does have BigLaw prospects but they are quite limited. Like Top 10%, but probably closer to top 5%

Ima be real with you bruh, a 3.8/164/URM should have better options. May be worth waiting out the cycle and applying early if you can. You'd definitely snag one of USC/UCLA and maybe Berkeley (maybe).

I know. But I don't think I want to wait an entire year. Another issue for me is the fact that even if I get into one of those schools, there's no guarantee (and maybe it's even improbable) that I will get any money, which is a huge issue for me.

I am Mexican URM

bjokay wrote: I am a URM too btw.

You would be one of FEW at ASU.

bjokay wrote:

I know. But I don't think I want to wait an entire year. Another issue for me is the fact that even if I get into one of those schools, there's no guarantee (and maybe it's even improbable) that I will get any money, which is a huge issue for me.

I am Mexican URM

Worst case scenario is you'd be sitting here with the same options. Probably moar money since you'd be applying earlier.

Why not wait a year?

Because I'm already on my "year off"

Part of it is wanting to get started with my life, part is impatience, part is that I don't really know what I would do for a year.

bjokay wrote:Because I'm already on my "year off"

Part of it is wanting to get started with my life, part is impatience, part is that I don't really know what I would do for a year.

The bolded is a terrible reason.

How old are you? You have a lifetime to work. Gain some more work experience and fuck around for a year. You'll be glad you did. A year is nothing in hindsight. And in return you'll have better options and probably more money thrown at you.

tfleming09 wrote:

bjokay wrote:Because I'm already on my "year off"

Part of it is wanting to get started with my life, part is impatience, part is that I don't really know what I would do for a year.

The bolded is a terrible reason.

How old are you? You have a lifetime to work. Gain some more work experience and fuck around for a year. You'll be glad you did. A year is nothing in hindsight. And in return you'll have better options and probably more money thrown at you.

I'm 22, i'll be 23 in October. I actually agree with you that I will probably have better options and more money thrown my way, it's just very difficult to pull out after being this far into the process. I've already put down my deposits at USD and ND both. I guess I will consider it though.

bjokay wrote:

I'm 22, i'll be 23 in October. I actually agree with you that I will probably have better options and more money thrown my way, it's just very difficult to pull out after being this far into the process. I've already put down my deposits at USD and ND both. I guess I will consider it though.

You're fucking 22? Bro.

1) Take a year off and reapply
2) Gain better acceptances and the same acceptances with more money
3) Gain work experience so you're not a toolbag K-JDer
4) Slay some bitches in SoCal
5) ???
6) Profit

tfleming09 wrote:

bjokay wrote:

I'm 22, i'll be 23 in October. I actually agree with you that I will probably have better options and more money thrown my way, it's just very difficult to pull out after being this far into the process. I've already put down my deposits at USD and ND both. I guess I will consider it though.

You're fucking 22? Bro.

1) Take a year off and reapply
2) Gain better acceptances and the same acceptances with more money
3) Gain work experience so you're not a toolbag K-JDer
4) Slay some bitches in SoCal
5) ???
6) Profit

I STRONGLY echo this advice. Get some experience under that belt. I was an idiot when I was 22. I'm glad I waited.

DAMN YOU ALL AND YOUR ECHOING OF THE VOICE IN THE BACK OF MY OWN HEAD..

Just kidding, but seriously I've been wanting to do just that I just feel a lot of hesitance because I am very eager to begin my life and career. This is probably because I live at home....

bjokay wrote:DAMN YOU ALL AND YOUR ECHOING OF THE VOICE IN THE BACK OF MY OWN HEAD..

Just kidding, but seriously I've been wanting to do just that I just feel a lot of hesitance because I am very eager to begin my life and career. This is probably because I live at home....

I realize this might seem counter-intuitive, but continue to live at home. Get a decent entry level gig somewhere. Live rent free and stockpile money for school. I wish I had that opportunity.

And go smang some SoCal dimepieces. Just make sure you go to their place.

decent entry level gig somewhere

This is difficult. I intern at a law firm, and I'm paid under the table, but I don't know if I can stretch this out for another year. I would certainly like to find an entry level gig, but I sent out countless resumes/cover letters without getting much in return.

bjokay wrote:decent entry level gig somewhere

This is difficult. I intern at a law firm, and I'm paid under the table, but I don't know if I can stretch this out for another year. I would certainly like to find an entry level gig, but I sent out countless resumes/cover letters without getting much in return.

True.

I left CA and the unemployment rate was atrocious. Too bad you can't move up to Sacramento. Lots of gov't jobs.

What about weekend work at Starbucks or Pinkberry?

bjokay wrote:decent entry level gig somewhere

This is difficult. I intern at a law firm, and I'm paid under the table, but I don't know if I can stretch this out for another year. I would certainly like to find an entry level gig, but I sent out countless resumes/cover letters without getting much in return.

Yeah, it sucks out there currently. Just keep trying I guess.

Wait tables or something, honestly. Just make some money so you can save for school. A buddy of mine lived at home one year after undergrad and socked away 20K on 30K a year.