Top Law Schools

Because I couldn't imagine such a defense.

Disclaimers:
1. Student does not have a trust fund
2. Student will borrow full amount on their own
3. Student will not subsidize it with a big salary while in law school
4. Student does not have significant savings
5. Student will not go into the public sector for loan repayment programs
6. Student will be starting in Fall of 2012
7. Student will have to pay it all back, themselves

It's not too bad if they're competitive and have in-state tuition in a more regional market like an ASU or UW?

Um. It seems like you came up with a pretty good list of reasonable defenses already OP.

The student goes to a regional law school where the student has a guaranteed job lined up at graduation.

Example, Student's father owns a solo practice and wants his son to join him.

Depends what school and if you are paying in state tuition like above poster said.

The non-T25 dominates its market (probably in the middle of nowhere) and has reasonable tuition (probably a public school).

I did UGA at in-state tuition last year for 1L. It worked out.

Another example:
If you can pay for your first year of LS with a friends poker earning, and if you can pay for the second year of LS by organizing a Bruce Springsteen concert. (Tim Russert).

In-state tuition in a geographic area where you intend to work after law school.

P.S. What's so special about the Top 25 ?

If you want a small, insular market with no top schools in the region, you don't already have regional ties, and you can't get into a t14. This goes for markets like Portland, Anchorage, probably Hawaii, even Seattle, and for students who can get in-state tuition or similar. Or, if you already have secure, gainful employment guaranteed by a family member or the like. Generally, though, it is extremely inadvisable - even under these circumstances, I'd seriously reconsider going into that kind of debt.

I wouldn't pay full tuition for most of the Top 25, but would pay full in-state tuition for a law school located where I intended to live & work.

Examples: Hawaii, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Georgia, UNC, Alabama, University of Washington, Utah, Colorado--- among others.

CanadianWolf wrote:I wouldn't pay full tuition for most of the Top 25, but would pay full in-state tuition for a law school located where I intended to live & work.

Examples: Hawaii, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Georgia, UNC, Alabama, University of Washington, Utah, Colorado--- among others.

Yeah. For example, if someone wants to practice in the Southwest, top 10% at UT Austin will almost certainly open more doors for him than will a degree from HYSC.

The non-T25 is a planet and the full sticker tuition is a room outside.

EDIT FOR OP:

T25 minus Davis, IUB, and Minn, and plus BC, Emory, and Fordham.

vulpixie wrote:

CanadianWolf wrote:I wouldn't pay full tuition for most of the Top 25, but would pay full in-state tuition for a law school located where I intended to live & work.

Examples: Hawaii, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Georgia, UNC, Alabama, University of Washington, Utah, Colorado--- among others.

Yeah. For example, if someone wants to practice in the Southwest, top 10% at UT Austin will almost certainly open more doors for him than will a degree from HYSC.

Not really, IMO. Top 10% @ UT gives you a lot of open doors in TX, maybe as many as HYS. (Just speaking in terms of firm jobs, nothing else.) But it's not like HYS students are at a disadvantage in Texas (especially if they have strong TX ties). At least that's my opinion as a UT student. That said, I'd like to here if the HYS who were trying for TX this cycle agree or disagree with that opinion.

Aberzombie1892 wrote:EDIT FOR OP:

T25 minus Davis, IUB, and Minn, and plus BC, Emory, and Fordham.

Do you mind expanding on this point?

In-state at Florida is extremely inexpensive and if you plan to practice in Florida then paying sticker is defensible.

WhiteGuy5 wrote:

Aberzombie1892 wrote:EDIT FOR OP:

T25 minus Davis, IUB, and Minn, and plus BC, Emory, and Fordham.

Do you mind expanding on this point?

The latter three are better for many types of jobs than the former three.

Regardless, arbitrary cut offs (re: T25) are useless and shouldn't be used. The title should be: "Defend the decision to go to a non-T5 (HYSCC) for sticker." This title wouldn't be as arbitrary, as the tip-top schools are the only ones included; T25 includes far too many schools that really aren't better than most of the rest of the T50.

Aberzombie1892 wrote:

WhiteGuy5 wrote:

Aberzombie1892 wrote:EDIT FOR OP:

T25 minus Davis, IUB, and Minn, and plus BC, Emory, and Fordham.

Do you mind expanding on this point?

The latter three are better for many types of jobs than the former three.

Regardless, arbitrary cut offs (re: T25) are useless and shouldn't be used. The title should be: "Defend the decision to go to a non-T5 (HYSCC) for sticker." This title wouldn't be as arbitrary, as the tip-top schools are the only ones included; T25 includes far too many schools that really aren't better than most of the rest of the T50.

William & Mary and UNC, too, IMO.

vulpixie wrote:

CanadianWolf wrote:I wouldn't pay full tuition for most of the Top 25, but would pay full in-state tuition for a law school located where I intended to live & work.

Examples: Hawaii, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Georgia, UNC, Alabama, University of Washington, Utah, Colorado--- among others.

Yeah. For example, if someone wants to practice in the Southwest, top 10% at UT Austin will almost certainly open more doors for him than will a degree from HYSC.

what a useless comparison. Top 10% UT compared to what rank at HYSC? Top 10% then no. Bottom 10% then yes

I don't see how sticker at BC or Fordham is worth it. Wasn't the CoA for Fordham something like 70k last year? I don't care if top 30% get big law jobs. I just don't understand how a reasonable person can make that 200k gamble.

Aberzombie1892 wrote: The latter three are better for many types of jobs than the former three.

How is sticker at Emory for basically the same job prospects ITE as UGA defensible? I've been told by Emory 2Ls that even people in the top 10-20% are having trouble finding jobs. From everything I've gathered, they've been on a horrific decline.

Transferthrowaway wrote:

Aberzombie1892 wrote: The latter three are better for many types of jobs than the former three.

How is sticker at Emory for basically the same job prospects ITE as UGA defensible? I've been told by Emory 2Ls that even people in the top 10-20% are having trouble finding jobs. From everything I've gathered, they've been on a horrific decline.

lol +1. you can't pay sticker for those expensive private non-T14 schools. i'm not even sure about paying sticker at Georgetown. i think OP will be surprised, though, by how much $$ schools throw around.

180asBreath wrote:Because I couldn't imagine such a defense.

Disclaimers:
1. Student does not have a trust fund
2. Student will borrow full amount on their own
3. Student will not subsidize it with a big salary while in law school
4. Student does not have significant savings
5. Student will not go into the public sector for loan repayment programs
6. Student will be starting in Fall of 2012
7. Student will have to pay it all back, themselves

How can you defend half the shit people do for a career?
Defend these career prospects
1. Going to college only to get stuck at a dead end job
2. Paying close to 200 grand for flight time to become a pilot
3. Moving to LA/NYC on a whim to become a famous actor
4. Taking out a start up loan to start a business
5. Wasting your one chance at life by taking the safe route and not even attempting your dreams.

We don't know why people do what they do and its their life so let them live it.... Unless they start letting people discharge student loans in bankruptcy its not costing you anything so why do you care?

paratactical wrote:Um. It seems like you came up with a pretty good list of reasonable defenses already OP.

+1. OP, you invite defenses and then foreclose a lot of the more reasonable ones.