Oh yay! I look forward to meeting you!

Hope I won't be missing out too much by leaving Saturday night. I wonder if people go out Friday night since registration is so early on Saturday?

curious about that too...i also have to leave before the dinner saturday

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Haha...I was on that flight. I live in Polk County. Was that you sitting next to the mom with the loud kid? I didn't see anyone else that looked young in my general vicinity.

/creep mode off.

Ha that's funny!! No my mom and I had open seating, but I am the girl that the flight attendant talked about when he asked people to take a seat so I could get to Lexington.

I'll be there early afternoon!

Just checked into the Holiday Inn Express with my fiancée. Ready for the the reception a the alumni house.

Asw is amazing...if you haven't visited, I highly suggest it!

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Ok- I'm a little late to the party here. W&L was not one of my top picks, I applied on a whim because it was a free application. But, I've been denied to most of my top choices at the moment and am trying to decide where to go. A few things to consider:
I'm specifically looking toward public interest law, at helping children and families in poverty as a child/poverty advocate. Whether this happens at a nonprofit, a government agency, or somewhere else has yet to be seen. I have no desire for "Big Law." Keep these things in mind:
1. I want to go to the BEST school possible.
2. Since making money is not my biggest concern, a school with a good LRAP would be a good fit.
3. If possible, I'd like to stay close to the east coast (NJ) as I have an ill mother. Would probably prefer to practice somewhere in the northeast -> Washington DC area.
4. I want the school with the best track record/program in public interest.
5. I wouldn't mind a judicial clerkship after graduation.
6. I want to work hard and have a job soon after graduating.

At the moment I'm leaning heavily towards Notre Dame, as they seem to have a better public interest law program. CONVINCE ME I'M WRONG!

As far as tuition/scholarship, it's about the same, both have offered me around a 1/2 ride.

Would you rather practice in the mid west or mid atlantic?

It's that simple. W&L and ND are both good schools. Just depends on the region you want.

#3 tells me W&L might be the better fit.

As you mention, I would rather practice in the mid atlantic/north east. However- Notre Dame has pretty good national placement due to their extensive alumni network.

I would be worried about the debt- unless you get into a program that forgives your tuition if you make 50,000 or less (I think UVA has a program similar)

Denied from UVA. Notre Dame has such a LRAP program. I'm not sure about W&L's program.

Yes, I've seen this, but it's not clear what exactly they pay out and to what income level, etc.

Yeah, but at least you know there is something of the sort.

W&L's third year program has a clinic where you represent widows of coal miners in black lung cases (real people, not simulations)

What is your opinion of the new third year? I have heard all bad, but it could be biased. The lawyers I have spoken with do not like it but it is only a few people.

What do you guys think?

I am interested in hearing some opinions on this myself. It's definitely one of their major selling points now. It does seem to have pushed their ranking up a bit. Good? Bad?

1L at W&L.

First, to the person who seems to think that an online forum will be the answer to all of your law school decisions, grow up and think for yourself. No 0L on a law school forum is going to give you any meaningful feedback.

Second, if you are so distraught over this decision, maybe you should attend an ASW and think for yourself/meet actual students. That will elicit much more help than some lousy online forum.

It is a selling point, but I doubt the change in rank was due to the new third year. Actually, I know it had nothing to do with it, but it would be interesting to hear a little about it from others. The law school is going to make it out to be great, but I would like to hear from other students what they think.

?

I'm a 0L that is currently at asw, and I have heard from the faculty that the 3L program is very well received by employers so far (in fact a lot of the practicums appear to be taught by practicing attorneys from richmond and throughout the state)...regardless of its perception, however, it sounds phenomenal and it may just be what drives me to lexington.

Awesome!