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Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:17 pm
by jayjayjayz
Hey guys,

I'm having a hard time deciding to go to Cleveland-Marshall (3rd tier), or go for a job that pays $33k/yr with bonuses. If I do go to CM, I would have to take out $90k in loan for 3 years (I'm including tuition and COL), I did not have a scholarship. So what do you all think? I really want to be a lawyer, but I have seen what you guys have said about 3rd tier law schools and the job market for lawyers in general. Opinions?

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:18 pm
by glitter178
jayjayjayz wrote:Hey guys,

I'm having a hard time deciding to go to Cleveland-Marshall (3rd tier), or go for a job that pays $33k/yr with bonuses. If I do go to CM, I would have to take out $90k in loan for 3 years (I'm including tuition and COL), I did not have a scholarship. So what do you all think? I really want to be a lawyer, but I have seen what you guys have said about 3rd tier law schools and the job market for lawyers in general. Opinions?
how much will the bonuses be?

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:21 pm
by jayjayjayz
It's about $150 per trip that I make, so assuming that everything is correct, it'll be $3600 at year end. This will be my first job out of college this May.

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:23 pm
by tourdeforcex
if you're not excited to take out loans to attend CM, consider taking the job, trying it out for 1-2 years, gain work experience, possibly study the LSAT again, retake, and then attend a 1st or 2nd tier law school or a 3rd tier w/ scholly.

work experience adds perspective and this is valued generally.

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:23 pm
by dpk711
I would never attend Cleveland-Marshall unless a job was guaranteed after graduation.

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:25 pm
by iowalum
I would say that unless you are sure that C-M places well where you are/want to be, then your 3 years would be better spent working your way up the ladder in the office. If you can spend more time and get into a better school then it may be worth it.

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:35 pm
by mpj_3050
Cleveland-Marshall does okay in Cleveland. Ohio has a ton of law schools and Cleveland-Marshall is a much better choice than Dayton, Capital, or ONU. But CM Law is certainly not worth 90k or anything close.

I would work a little bit, save some money, and maybe consider a retake.

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 3:25 pm
by jayjayjayz
I have heard many good things about CM, things like many judges in the state came from CM, good local rep, and decent employment. Now to an even more important question.......is CM worth $90k? I'm sure $90k spread over 10-20 years isn't a bitch to repay...or am I wrong?

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:02 pm
by dpk711
jayjayjayz wrote:I have heard many good things about CM, things like many judges in the state came from CM, good local rep, and decent employment. Now to an even more important question.......is CM worth $90k? I'm sure $90k spread over 10-20 years isn't a bitch to repay...or am I wrong?
Just don't get scammed.

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:19 pm
by scammedhard
jayjayjayz wrote:I have heard many good things about CM, things like many judges in the state came from CM, good local rep, and decent employment. Now to an even more important question.......is CM worth $90k? I'm sure $90k spread over 10-20 years isn't a bitch to repay...or am I wrong?
Well, it is not a bitch to repay if you have a job with a salary that pays well. Unfortunately, a degree from CM will likely not give you that. Like others have said, work for a few years and prepare/study for the LSAT, even if it takes years. I strongly believe that anyone can crack the LSAT with sufficient motivation and preparation. I really hope that you become a successful "retaker," and that you share this successful experience with future TLSers.
Don't get fooled by CM propaganda. There are always a few happy stories, but these are the exceptions rather than the norm. Please don't support the TTT industry. They are a bunch of scammers.

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:35 pm
by romothesavior
Better to have a 33k/year job with no debt than have a 33k/year job with 90k of debt. And coming from Cleveland Marshall, you'd be lucky to get a 33k/year lawyer job at all.

Stay at your current job.

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 5:07 pm
by alexanderhamilton
romothesavior wrote:Better to have a 33k/year job with no debt than have a 33k/year job with 90k of debt. And coming from Cleveland Marshall, you'd be lucky to get a 33k/year lawyer job at all.

Stay at your current job.
TITCR

(First time I've been able to use that! Yay!)

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 5:48 pm
by mpj_3050
romothesavior wrote:Better to have a 33k/year job with no debt than have a 33k/year job with 90k of debt. And coming from Cleveland Marshall, you'd be lucky to get a 33k/year lawyer job at all.

Stay at your current job.
90k is a lot of debt for Cleveland-Marshall. The Stafford Loans alone would be like 800 a month and when you tack on the 30k or so worth of PLUS loans, well, you get the picture. If we were talking say 40-50k then you could make the argument but I just don't see how any school other than Ohio State (which is still pushing it) is worth that kind of debt.

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:24 am
by jayjayjayz
Seems like everyone is saying to stay away from CM... :(

Re: Attend law school or stick with a job?

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 3:50 am
by dpk711
jayjayjayz wrote:Seems like everyone is saying to stay away from CM... :(
Right now you may feel discouraged, but I guarantee you that you will eventually thank TLS if you don't go.