[redacted] Forum
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Re: Emory v. South Carolina v. W & M v. UNC
If you have financial support+family ties to SC, then it might make sense to try your hand at ATL and go to Emory. If you like ATL and do well in school, then maybe you get a prosecution gig there. If not, then you you could fall back on the family ties in SC.
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Re: Emory v. South Carolina v. W & M v. UNC
A few bits from a native to think about. South Carolina is especially self-selective. They like their own. I bet you would be hard pressed to find a prosecutor that did not attend the University of South Carolina. For example, the solicitor of the second circuit is Strom Thurmond Jr. They could care less about law school rankings. With that said, South Carolina attorneys still hold most of the top southern schools in high regard. Emory, UNC, and William and Mary will be well-received in the state. Also, public interest attorneys are going to be a little less protective of the good o'l boy system. Going to a higher ranked school will help with a pi job search. For prosecutor work, you will be substantially better off coming from USC (top grades will likely be needed unless you are John C. Calhoun, IV)
The second thing to take into account is the loan forgiveness program. If you work in a public field (government or non-profit), your loans are forgiven after 10 years. I have a few friends in federal jobs that are paying back on the income-based level, and they will owe nothing in 10 years. Not a bad deal. I think it works out to around $500 a month for most of them. So, if you want to have a mobile degree, this is something to keep in mind.
That W&M stip is outrageous. Everyone is capable of getting a 3.0 at the law school they get into, but several people find that there were simply more people willing to put in more time. Also, you can easily bomb an exam you were well prepared for. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they section stack.
If you are considering leaving the state, I would suggest going with a non-USC option and staying in the loan forgiveness program. You must stay all ten years, but after that, you are free to do what you like. SC can be lovely place. There are plenty of great people there. But, it can get old very quickly. It is South Carolina first down there. And, yes, racism is alive and well in a lot of places. For me, outside of Charleston, the State does not offer a high enough quality of life to attend a school that cements me there for my career. If you are content staying in South Carolina: without a doubt, go to USC.
I almost went to USC. I got a generous offer from another T2 school, and I punched my ticket out of there. I ended up with under 50k in debt, and I wouldn't change my decision if I had to do it over again.
The second thing to take into account is the loan forgiveness program. If you work in a public field (government or non-profit), your loans are forgiven after 10 years. I have a few friends in federal jobs that are paying back on the income-based level, and they will owe nothing in 10 years. Not a bad deal. I think it works out to around $500 a month for most of them. So, if you want to have a mobile degree, this is something to keep in mind.
That W&M stip is outrageous. Everyone is capable of getting a 3.0 at the law school they get into, but several people find that there were simply more people willing to put in more time. Also, you can easily bomb an exam you were well prepared for. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they section stack.
If you are considering leaving the state, I would suggest going with a non-USC option and staying in the loan forgiveness program. You must stay all ten years, but after that, you are free to do what you like. SC can be lovely place. There are plenty of great people there. But, it can get old very quickly. It is South Carolina first down there. And, yes, racism is alive and well in a lot of places. For me, outside of Charleston, the State does not offer a high enough quality of life to attend a school that cements me there for my career. If you are content staying in South Carolina: without a doubt, go to USC.
I almost went to USC. I got a generous offer from another T2 school, and I punched my ticket out of there. I ended up with under 50k in debt, and I wouldn't change my decision if I had to do it over again.
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Re: Emory v. South Carolina v. W & M v. UNC
Thank you so much! That was really helpful.
- somewhatwayward
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Re: Emory v. South Carolina v. W & M v. UNC
Why is cost a secondary issue? Do you mean you have generous family or savings? I hope it is one of those and not that you are closing your eyes to the possibility of permanent debt peonage. ITE cost should be the first priority unless you have outside funding. Sorry to be harsh.hopingtogetin wrote:Yeah, that's exactly what I was concerned about! I have some financial support so I want to make sure I attend the place that is best for my future. Cost is sort of a secondary issue, so that's why I asked. As in, yes it would be great to save as much money as possible, but I do not want to sacrifice my education to do so.rad lulz wrote:USC for free, but don't say anyone didn't tell you it only gives you a coin flip shot at being a lawyer. Hope your connections are good.
http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=southcarolina
But thanks for the advice, everyone. I really appreciate it!
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Re: Emory v. South Carolina v. W & M v. UNC
redactedsomewhatwayward wrote:
Why is cost a secondary issue? Do you mean you have generous family or savings? I hope it is one of those and not that you are closing your eyes to the possibility of permanent debt peonage. ITE cost should be the first priority unless you have outside funding. Sorry to be harsh.
Last edited by hopingtogetin on Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- romothesavior
- Posts: 14692
- Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm
Re: Emory v. South Carolina v. W & M v. UNC
I think USC wins hands down given your ties and the fact that it's free.