Top Law Schools

So I want to pool some opinions here, I know that rankings make it seem black and white but let me run down some factors
that make this a tough decision for me, and why I've honestly been leaning towards St. John's.

-I do not have a distinct desire for biglaw, but rather a government job be it a at a federal agency or, in a more perfect world,
the US Attorney's office.
-I am a CT resident, but I received a 75K scholarship from St. John's, which makes tuition slightly less there than at UConn at around 19-20k
per year in state.
-I always envisioned my 20s in an exciting urban environment, went to BU for undergrad, and always wanted to practice in NYC or Boston
-The location of UConn kills me: the campus is beautiful but its in a run-down area and living in Hartford is not a fantastic prospect
-The location of St. John's is ok: im not going to BS myself by saying its some ideal NYC environment, its Jamaica.
-I applied to UConn thinking that prospects in NYC or Boston would be abundant, but from what ive heard from a friend who is a 3L and
another who is a local attorney at a mid-level firm, UConn is CT all the way and OCI is 90% CT firms. As a kid who grew up in a sheltered small town in CT i do not desire to begin my legal career here, even though I would consider transitioning back in my 30s or 40s.

So obviously I'm just torn about the ranking. I applied to Cardozo and Brooklyn, and was waitlisted at Dozo but havent heard from Brooklyn yet. However, i keep thinking to myself that although St. John's ranking hurts me, i would still consider it heavily even if I was in both dozo and Brooklyn because its 75K cheaper and 20 min away on the subway. So logically I think to myself if I would be somewhat willing to drop to St. John's ranking from Cardozo or Brooklyn because of personal values, then what "value" does UConn have to me other than a number from US News. so please help me out my head is exploding.

as an aside, on the UConn forum ive seen several posters talking about where to move their families to go to the school and it gives me the impression that its a more matured crowd....i wish to at least feel immature for a few more years when I dont have my head in the books.

anybody?

UConn will give you a better chance of a government or USAO job.

I can't say that its more likely to score you such a job in NYC or Boston, but I would guess that being employed in CT and then trying to move to NYC or Boston would be easier than graduating from St. Johns and then being unemployed.

yea I hear you and unfortunately thats what I gripe with the most...UConn is very very strong in CT and I just don't
know if I want to stay

UConn, but wait for BLS before making any decisions. Also, consider retaking, if possible, to shoot for Fordham or above.
I live by St. John's and it's a lousy area. I know a few graduates who, despite being in the top 10% of the class, have been unable to find any work. One graduated in '08 and just now got a job at a small firm. It's not pretty.

trust me, I hear you on that

that's why i've moved out to the great lakes.

is brooklyn a good option too if it comes through? money is a factor but not a limiting factor for me
im a 162/3.1 btw

joshlyman wrote:is brooklyn a good option too if it comes through? money is a factor but not a limiting factor for me
im a 162/3.1 btw

I had similar stats (now I don't ) and got WL'd at Brooklyn. This would've meant a) no $ and b) PT only. For your goals, I think you are better off with UConn. Having a job > not having a job, even if it's in CT. BTW, I feel your pain in terms of staying in state; your don't really want to, even if know it's really the best option.

Have you thought about starting your career in Providence? The only law school in RI is Roger Williams which is generally regarded as one of the very worse law schools in the country. I'm not sure the numbers back this up (as most UConn grads would self select to stay in CT) but UConn should be a great school for entering that market. Firms with tons of Southern New England Law and Suffolk grads are probably praying they get some interest from UConn students.

Providence is the best city to be under 40, as far as I'm concerned.

i mean not entirely. i like providence but not as a place to start a career and settle...my fam is CT but new york centric and I went to school in boston but only got into northeastern and suffolk. ive always liked new york and would like to exist in that vicinity even during a tough time like law school.