UPDATE: Florida ($) vs. Maryland (FREE) Forum
- h2oplyer7
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UPDATE: Florida ($) vs. Maryland (FREE)
UPDATE AS OF 9 JUL:
So I withdrew from Maryland yesterday and today they hit me back offering me an additional 18k a year with as long as I do not fail a course. This means the school will be completely free for me with the GIB.
So, I am wondering, am I wrong in choosing UMD over UF over just 18k less a year?????
Honestly, I am interested in tax law. Is it worth paying the extra money since UF Tax is ranked #2?
ORIGINAL POST:
Good day everyone!
I love these threads and I have had some great feedback so far.
Well, I am in my last week of deciding where to go to law school and thought I would request some more feedback. I am trying to decide between Florida or Maryland. I am not from either state, and I have no connection to either. Actually, I have no connection anywhere since I am a military veteran, and I have spent most of my last seven years outside the country. As such, I am also a Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon fella. Both schools will cost me, in total, about $20,000. I am OOS for both but will change my residency after a year.
Right now I am leaning towards Florida, since they are supposed to have a terrific tax law program, which (I think) I am very interested in. However, all things being equal, which they pretty much are, does anyone have a good reason why I should pick one over the other? It is a hard decision because I feel both are solid schools with good regional reputations.
I have posted before, but wanted to run this through the forum again since I have narrowed down my choices. Thanks for your feedback everyone!
So I withdrew from Maryland yesterday and today they hit me back offering me an additional 18k a year with as long as I do not fail a course. This means the school will be completely free for me with the GIB.
So, I am wondering, am I wrong in choosing UMD over UF over just 18k less a year?????
Honestly, I am interested in tax law. Is it worth paying the extra money since UF Tax is ranked #2?
ORIGINAL POST:
Good day everyone!
I love these threads and I have had some great feedback so far.
Well, I am in my last week of deciding where to go to law school and thought I would request some more feedback. I am trying to decide between Florida or Maryland. I am not from either state, and I have no connection to either. Actually, I have no connection anywhere since I am a military veteran, and I have spent most of my last seven years outside the country. As such, I am also a Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon fella. Both schools will cost me, in total, about $20,000. I am OOS for both but will change my residency after a year.
Right now I am leaning towards Florida, since they are supposed to have a terrific tax law program, which (I think) I am very interested in. However, all things being equal, which they pretty much are, does anyone have a good reason why I should pick one over the other? It is a hard decision because I feel both are solid schools with good regional reputations.
I have posted before, but wanted to run this through the forum again since I have narrowed down my choices. Thanks for your feedback everyone!
Last edited by h2oplyer7 on Mon Jul 09, 2012 5:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- flem
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
Do you want to live in Maryland or Florida? Are you cool with doing small firm work?
- h2oplyer7
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
I am fine living anywhere, and I am cool doing any type of law work. I am really trying to pick the law school with the best opportunity to suceed. I have read a lot of good things about UF being an "up-and-comer". I also suspect that the economy is stronger in Florida than in Maryland. Any thoughts?
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
I'm sure this isn't that hard to look up, but I'd be pretty shocked if Florida's economy is in better shape than Maryland's. Maryland is usually pretty stable thanks to the DC proximity (I believe it has the highest per capita college degrees in the country). Can't say as much about the legal market; regardless, you should look into the employment statistics for each.h2oplyer7 wrote:I am fine living anywhere, and I am cool doing any type of law work. I am really trying to pick the law school with the best opportunity to suceed. I have read a lot of good things about UF being an "up-and-comer". I also suspect that the economy is stronger in Florida than in Maryland. Any thoughts?
Sounds like you're focusing on some propaganda however. Ignore anything about being an "up-and-comer." I don't know where b.s. like that comes from, but there's no real way to know or prove it. It's also largely irrelevant. Employment statistics are really all you should be looking at since COA is roughly the same for you at both. Also ignore anything about a great program like tax law. Nobody cares about individual programs at schools.
Go scrutinize the employment stats at each school. If one is significantly stronger than the other, go there. If they're roughly even, go to the one where you'd prefer to live. That's really all there is to it.
- h2oplyer7
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
Good advice. I am going to Maryland in a few weeks to check it out, and then Florida after that.
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
I thought you said you were deciding this week?h2oplyer7 wrote:Good advice. I am going to Maryland in a few weeks to check it out, and then Florida after that.
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
I just finished my 1L year at UF. I absolutely love it. The alumni base is extremely supportive. Almost everyone I know that wanted a summer position (not necessarily paid) and worked to find one has one. Mostly it's because we have great alumni that look for how to help/giveback to the school. But our Alumni base is strongest in FL, so if you don't want to work in FL after graduation it may not be the right fit. Also if you like football the swamp is pretty much amazing. The classmates are great and everyone is really supportive of each other. I don't know much about Maryland but if you have any questions about UF let me know.h2oplyer7 wrote:Good day everyone!
I love these threads and I have had some great feedback so far.
Well, I am in my last week of deciding where to go to law school and thought I would request some more feedback. I am trying to decide between Florida or Maryland. I am not from either state, and I have no connection to either. Actually, I have no connection anywhere since I am a military veteran, and I have spent most of my last seven years outside the country. As such, I am also a Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon fella. Both schools will cost me, in total, about $20,000. I am OOS for both but will change my residency after a year.
Right now I am leaning towards Florida, since they are supposed to have a terrific tax law program, which (I think) I am very interested in. However, all things being equal, which they pretty much are, does anyone have a good reason why I should pick one over the other? It is a hard decision because I feel both are solid schools with good regional reputations.
I have posted before, but wanted to run this through the forum again since I have narrowed down my choices. Thanks for your feedback everyone!
- jackattack17
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
Make sure you visit Maryland before deciding to go there. The law school is in Baltimore, not College Park. And by Baltimore, I mean right downtown with an armed security guard accompanying the receptionist at the door. OP, since you've been in the service, this might not be a big deal to you, but after having visited myself, I would not want to leave the law school after dark for even a one block walk. See, e.g., The Wire.
Florida is sunny. Other things being equal, go there.
Florida is sunny. Other things being equal, go there.
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
Serious question: Which state (Florida or Maryland) has more Atlantic Coast coastline ?
Florida with 3,331 miles
Maryland has 3,190 miles.
Florida has over 8,000 miles of coastline when the Gulf
Coast is included,
Florida with 3,331 miles
Maryland has 3,190 miles.
Florida has over 8,000 miles of coastline when the Gulf
Coast is included,
Last edited by CanadianWolf on Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Doorkeeper
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
Florida, and it's not even close.CanadianWolf wrote:Serious question: Which state (Florida or Maryland) has more coastline ?
- h2oplyer7
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
My sister lives back there. I was going to visit her.Jaytray wrote:I thought you said you were deciding this week?h2oplyer7 wrote:Good advice. I am going to Maryland in a few weeks to check it out, and then Florida after that.
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
Man I love sheltered suburbanites. There is nothing all that sketchy about where the law school is. It's like 3-4 blocks from Camden Yards, maybe about 8 to Harborplace. If you're a young female, you should probably not go walking around at night by yourself. That is also true of every city in the country. The school is in a perfectly fine location, it's just not in a gentrified yuppie neighborhood. It's also centrally located, so you can live pretty much anywhere in the city without a terrible commute.jackattack17 wrote:Make sure you visit Maryland before deciding to go there. The law school is in Baltimore, not College Park. And by Baltimore, I mean right downtown with an armed security guard accompanying the receptionist at the door. OP, since you've been in the service, this might not be a big deal to you, but after having visited myself, I would not want to leave the law school after dark for even a one block walk. See, e.g., The Wire.
Florida is sunny. Other things being equal, go there.
Also, The Wire is commentary on America, not Baltimore. Drugs, violence, government corruption, misguided police departments, and lousy schools are hardly unique to Baltimore.
tl;dr- ignore stupid comments about location. Pick the school with better employment prospects.
- 2014
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
I'd go Florida OP. I don't know how competitive you are for a job out of either but I can bet your 3 years will be better spent at UF.
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- pinkcamellia
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
I wouldn't go to either, but since I doubt you'd make that decision, I'm going to say UF since there's way more info about UF on here than there is Maryland.
The downside is that as a OOSer you're going to have a rough time. A lot of what makes the UF alumni network great is that most of them are from Florida, and can put you in touch with people from your region who are located where you want to work. It's also a lot more difficult to get in-state tuition these days, so you really shouldn't bet on that until your third year (actually know some people that were turned down for this upcoming year as 2Ls).
The upside is that there are worse places to live for 3 years or more than Gainesville. The students are generally friendly. I knew a few out of state kids and everyone was nice. The deans are fantastic people who will help you in any way they can. There were a few people in my class that were veterans, so you'll probably have an instant friend group. You can probably get a summer job, but most likely not anything in Biglaw unless you're top 20% (and that's being generous). Most of the people I knew did stuff for judges or courts, or did study abroad to avoid the job issue, but I do know of at least 3 students who split summers between 2 big firm offers they had, so there's that if you do end up being in the top of your class. As you know, though, you can't bank on it.
I really wish you'd retake for this upcoming cycle instead and shoot for better schools, but if you're truly happy doing anything and the cost will truly be under 20k AND you want to live in that state for what very well could be THE REST OF YOUR LIFE then I say go for it.
The downside is that as a OOSer you're going to have a rough time. A lot of what makes the UF alumni network great is that most of them are from Florida, and can put you in touch with people from your region who are located where you want to work. It's also a lot more difficult to get in-state tuition these days, so you really shouldn't bet on that until your third year (actually know some people that were turned down for this upcoming year as 2Ls).
The upside is that there are worse places to live for 3 years or more than Gainesville. The students are generally friendly. I knew a few out of state kids and everyone was nice. The deans are fantastic people who will help you in any way they can. There were a few people in my class that were veterans, so you'll probably have an instant friend group. You can probably get a summer job, but most likely not anything in Biglaw unless you're top 20% (and that's being generous). Most of the people I knew did stuff for judges or courts, or did study abroad to avoid the job issue, but I do know of at least 3 students who split summers between 2 big firm offers they had, so there's that if you do end up being in the top of your class. As you know, though, you can't bank on it.
I really wish you'd retake for this upcoming cycle instead and shoot for better schools, but if you're truly happy doing anything and the cost will truly be under 20k AND you want to live in that state for what very well could be THE REST OF YOUR LIFE then I say go for it.
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
+100.dixon02 wrote: Man I love sheltered suburbanites. There is nothing all that sketchy about where the law school is. It's like 3-4 blocks from Camden Yards, maybe about 8 to Harborplace. If you're a young female, you should probably not go walking around at night by yourself. That is also true of every city in the country. The school is in a perfectly fine location, it's just not in a gentrified yuppie neighborhood. It's also centrally located, so you can live pretty much anywhere in the city without a terrible commute.
Also, The Wire is commentary on America, not Baltimore. Drugs, violence, government corruption, misguided police departments, and lousy schools are hardly unique to Baltimore.
tl;dr- ignore stupid comments about location. Pick the school with better employment prospects.
I voted for Maryland because I'm going there, I'd rather live in Baltimore (you don't ever have to go into the bad neighborhoods if you know what you are doing) than Gainesville, and Florida is really hot.
- BmoreOrLess
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
I'm a 0L so I don't really have a good take on which law school you should attend, but in regards to location, I spent a good bit of time in Gainesville during undergrad, and now live here in Baltimore obviously. I think Baltimore is a better city for a graduate student setting. If you live in Federal Hill or Canton, you are about as safe as anywhere in Gainesville, with a far superior social scene for young adults. Additionally, I would imagine Baltimore will have significantly better internship opportunities in the summer without having to move anywhere (you can commute to DC from here if you can land something there too, I have a few professional friends who do it daily). I guess you have Jacksonville and Orlando somewhat close by in Gainesville, but those will be hellish commutes.wake875 wrote:+100.dixon02 wrote: Man I love sheltered suburbanites. There is nothing all that sketchy about where the law school is. It's like 3-4 blocks from Camden Yards, maybe about 8 to Harborplace. If you're a young female, you should probably not go walking around at night by yourself. That is also true of every city in the country. The school is in a perfectly fine location, it's just not in a gentrified yuppie neighborhood. It's also centrally located, so you can live pretty much anywhere in the city without a terrible commute.
Also, The Wire is commentary on America, not Baltimore. Drugs, violence, government corruption, misguided police departments, and lousy schools are hardly unique to Baltimore.
tl;dr- ignore stupid comments about location. Pick the school with better employment prospects.
I voted for Maryland because I'm going there, I'd rather live in Baltimore (you don't ever have to go into the bad neighborhoods if you know what you are doing) than Gainesville, and Florida is really hot.
Like other posters said, I wouldn't judge where you should go to school based on which city is safer/more fun/ect. Ultimately, both cities aren't the greatest in any respect, so you should base your decision on which school will give you the best opportunity to land the type of employment you want since cost seems to be the same.
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
I grew up in Baltimore. Great city. Some of the comments on here about walking a block from the law school and being in the Wire is total nonsense. People who feel that way either are racists, have never been to an urban area, or are just lying.
Are parts of the city HORRIBLE? Definitely. But there is ZERO reason to go there unless you're doing some sort of charity work. As a law student you won't have to go to these areas.
If you live in New York City, do you constantly have to walk through Bushwick, East Harlem, or the Gun Hill Road section of the Bronx?? Same thing with B-more.
Are parts of the city HORRIBLE? Definitely. But there is ZERO reason to go there unless you're doing some sort of charity work. As a law student you won't have to go to these areas.
If you live in New York City, do you constantly have to walk through Bushwick, East Harlem, or the Gun Hill Road section of the Bronx?? Same thing with B-more.
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
Baltimore homers unite!
Also, I don't know about gainesville but living near BWI airport is a godsend as you can find great, cheap flights OOS (I go back and forth to NY frequently)
Also, I don't know about gainesville but living near BWI airport is a godsend as you can find great, cheap flights OOS (I go back and forth to NY frequently)
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
wake875 wrote:Baltimore homers unite!
Also, I don't know about gainesville but living near BWI airport is a godsend as you can find great, cheap flights OOS (I go back and forth to NY frequently)
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
abc12345675 wrote:I grew up in Baltimore. Great city. Some of the comments on here about walking a block from the law school and being in the Wire is total nonsense. People who feel that way either are racists, have never been to an urban area, or are just lying.
Are parts of the city HORRIBLE? Definitely. But there is ZERO reason to go there unless you're doing some sort of charity work. As a law student you won't have to go to these areas.
If you live in New York City, do you constantly have to walk through Bushwick, East Harlem, or the Gun Hill Road section of the Bronx?? Same thing with B-more.
Racist, huh? There are bad areas not far from the law school. That's a fact. Would a law student need to visit them on a daily basis? No, but a wrong turn near the school could put you in a bad part of town. I'm sorry if that offends you, but it's not racist.
- flem
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
This is obviously specific to Baltimore and not common to every major city ever.kellyugkellyug wrote:Racist, huh? There are bad areas not far from the law school. That's a fact. Would a law student need to visit them on a daily basis? No, but a wrong turn near the school could put you in a bad part of town. I'm sorry if that offends you, but it's not racist.
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- Teflon_Jeff
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
This. Sunny gorgeous weather, or school in Bodymore, Murderland.jackattack17 wrote:Make sure you visit Maryland before deciding to go there. The law school is in Baltimore, not College Park. And by Baltimore, I mean right downtown with an armed security guard accompanying the receptionist at the door. OP, since you've been in the service, this might not be a big deal to you, but after having visited myself, I would not want to leave the law school after dark for even a one block walk. See, e.g., The Wire.
Florida is sunny. Other things being equal, go there.
UF, not close.
- flem
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
QF never having been to GainesvilleTeflon_Jeff wrote:This. Sunny gorgeous weather, or school in Bodymore, Murderland.
UF, not close.
- BmoreOrLess
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_RollingTeflon_Jeff wrote:This. Sunny gorgeous weather, or school in Bodymore, Murderland.jackattack17 wrote:Make sure you visit Maryland before deciding to go there. The law school is in Baltimore, not College Park. And by Baltimore, I mean right downtown with an armed security guard accompanying the receptionist at the door. OP, since you've been in the service, this might not be a big deal to you, but after having visited myself, I would not want to leave the law school after dark for even a one block walk. See, e.g., The Wire.
Florida is sunny. Other things being equal, go there.
UF, not close.
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Re: Florida versus Maryland
Oh dear me. I stand corrected. OP, you should go to UF. If you go to UMD, you might make a wrong turn and end up in a bad neighborhood! The horror! Just think: going to UMD may require you to TURN AROUND AND GO BACK THE WAY YOU CAME. This sounds downright terrifying, especially for someone who has been in the military.kellyugkellyug wrote:abc12345675 wrote:I grew up in Baltimore. Great city. Some of the comments on here about walking a block from the law school and being in the Wire is total nonsense. People who feel that way either are racists, have never been to an urban area, or are just lying.
Are parts of the city HORRIBLE? Definitely. But there is ZERO reason to go there unless you're doing some sort of charity work. As a law student you won't have to go to these areas.
If you live in New York City, do you constantly have to walk through Bushwick, East Harlem, or the Gun Hill Road section of the Bronx?? Same thing with B-more.
Racist, huh? There are bad areas not far from the law school. That's a fact. Would a law student need to visit them on a daily basis? No, but a wrong turn near the school could put you in a bad part of town. I'm sorry if that offends you, but it's not racist.
I retract my earlier statements about basing your decision on employment prospects. No job is worth having to turn around.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
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