SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle) Forum

Share Your Experiences, Read About Other Experiences. Please keep posts organized by school and expected year of graduation.
Post Reply
User avatar
jenm12

New
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:47 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by jenm12 » Mon Feb 04, 2013 10:32 pm

I was accepted FT in mid-January (whoop!) but am still weighing my options... I know Texas Wesleyan doesn't have near the prestige/reputation of SMU, but they offered me a scholarship that would take care of about 3/4ths of my tuition and keep me out of any law school debt. Any thoughts on whether or not the money saved would be worth it?
(Obviously my decision will be made a little easier once scholarship decisions for SMU come out -- hopefully soon!)

wannabelawstudent

Gold
Posts: 2578
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:33 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by wannabelawstudent » Mon Feb 04, 2013 10:38 pm

jenm12 wrote:I was accepted FT in mid-January (whoop!) but am still weighing my options... I know Texas Wesleyan doesn't have near the prestige/reputation of SMU, but they offered me a scholarship that would take care of about 3/4ths of my tuition and keep me out of any law school debt. Any thoughts on whether or not the money saved would be worth it?
(Obviously my decision will be made a little easier once scholarship decisions for SMU come out -- hopefully soon!)
I think popular wisdom is go to SMU, as it offers better employment prospects. No point in going to law school if you can't find a job.

Congrats on getting in!

nirvanah

New
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:34 am

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by nirvanah » Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:46 am

jenm12 wrote:I was accepted FT in mid-January (whoop!) but am still weighing my options... I know Texas Wesleyan doesn't have near the prestige/reputation of SMU, but they offered me a scholarship that would take care of about 3/4ths of my tuition and keep me out of any law school debt. Any thoughts on whether or not the money saved would be worth it?
(Obviously my decision will be made a little easier once scholarship decisions for SMU come out -- hopefully soon!)

Congrats on both Dallas schools :) Im waiting to hear back. I agree with poster above, that SMU >>>>>>>TW...of course, it's super attractive to not have debt. I would say , dont worry until you see SMU's scholly package at least. I think TW is ranked too far out of SMU's league to consider going to TW over SMU...but then smu at sticker vs TW with no debt...hmm...also depends on what you want to do when you grow up...

wannabelawstudent: cool avator. He's my favourite doctor!!

wannabelawstudent

Gold
Posts: 2578
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:33 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by wannabelawstudent » Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:07 am

I dunno....if your only options are SMU at sticker and Tex wes id say reassess your options. If you go to Tex wes you're pretty much flipping a coin on if you get a legal job or not, and opprotunities that SMU can give you just aren't there.

Look at the employment numbers on lawschooltransparency.com I wouldn't risk my life going to Tex west.

Chemteacher knows a bit more about the area and the schools so I'm sure she can give you some wise words, but I bet they are similar in my sentiment

User avatar
jenm12

New
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:47 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by jenm12 » Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:40 am

Thanks for the advice! I'm pretty hopeful that I'll get at least some $ from SMU, I just know it won't be nearly as much as what TWU offered, especially considering the difference in tuition. The attorney I work for now is a TWU alum and she does incredibly well for herself, but I know the fact that she stayed in Fort Worth has a lot to do with that.

As of now, I'm hoping to practice within the realms of public interest/civil liberties law, which is another reason I'm extra leery of law school debt, since I know the payout is nowhere near that of big law (at least at the bottom).

Want to continue reading?

Register now to search topics and post comments!

Absolutely FREE!


nirvanah

New
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:34 am

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by nirvanah » Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:20 am

I am in DFW area as well, and I have heard of several attorneys who have graduated from TW, and do well for themselves. I dont know them personally, but I have heard of them. (so take it with a grain of salt).They are in the fort worth area. That being said, these are all "seasoned" attorneys, ie..people who graduated in the 80s,90s etc. They didnt graduate in our current economy. SMU doesn't have a LRAP program so that is also something you want to consider. Would you be able to continue working for your current boss once you graduate? Do you want to remain in Fort Worth?

User avatar
kalvano

Diamond
Posts: 11951
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 2:24 am

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by kalvano » Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:51 am

Wesleyan is an objectively terrible school with abysmal employment prospects. Don't go to Wesleyan if you want a job as a lawyer.

bluegreen

Bronze
Posts: 128
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:39 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by bluegreen » Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:57 am

jenm12 wrote:I was accepted FT in mid-January (whoop!) but am still weighing my options... I know Texas Wesleyan doesn't have near the prestige/reputation of SMU, but they offered me a scholarship that would take care of about 3/4ths of my tuition and keep me out of any law school debt. Any thoughts on whether or not the money saved would be worth it?
(Obviously my decision will be made a little easier once scholarship decisions for SMU come out -- hopefully soon!)
hands down, SMU. Honestly, if I were to attend school in Texas, my order of preference would be UT, then a tie between U of H and SMU. I leave out Baylor because it's in Waco, and I would think hard and long before spending 3 years there. I have a ton of lawyer friends there that also did TW, St.Marys, South Texas (yikes) and then Baylor/SMU/UT/UH. UT grads obviously got the best jobs, although it was hard for many of them to stay in competitive Austin, so many of them end up getting the good jobs in Dallas/Houston. SMU is great for Dallas, but you'll still have to network quite a bit since you're competing with UT grads.

Edited to add Baylor!
Last edited by bluegreen on Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

wannabelawstudent

Gold
Posts: 2578
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:33 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by wannabelawstudent » Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:58 am

Can someone gimme the breakdown between SMU and Baylor?

Want to continue reading?

Register for access!

Did I mention it was FREE ?


User avatar
Magnoliab1071

New
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:24 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by Magnoliab1071 » Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:04 pm

wannabelawstudent wrote:Can someone gimme the breakdown between SMU and Baylor?
There has been a lot of discussion about this in previous threads.As far as rankings go, it seems that they are neck and neck. I think SMU is a little bit more prestigious, and Baylor has a much heavier workload (esp for 3L). A big difference between the two, and the reason I completely ruled out Baylor, is that I would MUCH rather live in Dallas than Waco. There is NOTHING in Waco except for Baylor.

User avatar
kalvano

Diamond
Posts: 11951
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 2:24 am

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by kalvano » Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:10 pm

wannabelawstudent wrote:Can someone gimme the breakdown between SMU and Baylor?
Do you want an easygoing experience with generally nice people, or do you want an awful experience with tons of work added for no reason other than to make you work more, at a school that encourages and nurtures a cutthroat environment?

Or, conversely, a school that will tell you you can't take a paying summer job if it interferes with Practice Court, even if you never want to go into a courtroom, ever?

wannabelawstudent

Gold
Posts: 2578
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:33 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by wannabelawstudent » Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:13 pm

kalvano wrote:
wannabelawstudent wrote:Can someone gimme the breakdown between SMU and Baylor?
Do you want an easygoing experience with generally nice people, or do you want an awful experience with tons of work added for no reason other than to make you work more, at a school that encourages and nurtures a cutthroat environment?

Or, conversely, a school that will tell you you can't take a paying summer job if it interferes with Practice Court, even if you never want to go into a courtroom, ever?
Ummm...I want the former.

User avatar
kalvano

Diamond
Posts: 11951
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 2:24 am

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by kalvano » Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:16 pm

Then go wih SMU. Baylor really doesn't have terrible job prospects in total. SMU does better at large and midsize firms, but their overall employment score is similar. But the three years getting there will be phenomenally more miserable at Baylor than at SMU.

Register now!

Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.

It's still FREE!


User avatar
chem!

Platinum
Posts: 9573
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:03 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by chem! » Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:36 pm

kalvano wrote:Wesleyan is an objectively terrible school with abysmal employment prospects. Don't go to Wesleyan if you want a job as a lawyer.
Seconded.

wannabelawstudent

Gold
Posts: 2578
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:33 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by wannabelawstudent » Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:01 pm

LSstatuscheck informed me there was a change on my status check page....they removed a blank line from my address....WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN

User avatar
JXander

Silver
Posts: 966
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:23 am

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by JXander » Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:18 pm

Apparently, they mailed something to me on the 28th. O.o

nirvanah

New
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:34 am

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by nirvanah » Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:55 pm

wannabelawstudent wrote:LSstatuscheck informed me there was a change on my status check page....they removed a blank line from my address....WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN

Hopefully it means somewhere there is awake :O...we have same complete dates , but no movement on mine...ie, no line removal

Get unlimited access to all forums and topics

Register now!

I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...


User avatar
swilson215

Silver
Posts: 1109
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:35 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by swilson215 » Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:35 pm

Weighing in: I have friends at TW, and all of them are trying as hard as they can to transfer out. Although they do give out A+'s, and it seems to me (from them) that they grade easier. That all being said, unless TW was flat out free, I would pick SMU over it. As far as Baylor, you couldn't pay me enough to live in Waco for three years. Their job prospects aren't nearly as bad as TW's (or any of the other TTT in Texas), and you're basically guaranteed to pass the bar, but everyone I know who went there does nothing but bitch about the curriculum break down and the objectively HORRIBLE third year program.

User avatar
FallingHigher

Bronze
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun Nov 11, 2012 4:18 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by FallingHigher » Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:29 pm

Is there any news on the scholarship information? I got into UT and will most likely be going there so I want to go ahead and lease an apt. before they all get booked, but if SMU pulls through with a good scholly I might be persuaded to stay in dallas.

User avatar
kalvano

Diamond
Posts: 11951
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 2:24 am

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by kalvano » Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:44 am

Go to UT.

Jredelman15

Bronze
Posts: 274
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:45 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by Jredelman15 » Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:56 am

kalvano wrote:Go to UT.
+1 they have a major leg up in TX big law

Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.

Register now, it's still FREE!


bluegreen

Bronze
Posts: 128
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:39 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by bluegreen » Wed Feb 06, 2013 1:08 am

Jredelman15 wrote:
kalvano wrote:Go to UT.
+1 they have a major leg up in TX big law
+1000000

nirvanah

New
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:34 am

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by nirvanah » Wed Feb 06, 2013 2:10 am

UT >>>smu unless you NEED to be in dallas. Only way I would think about it is if it's smu for free (school + living expenses) and it's UT at sticker.

Baylor: I didnt apply to Baylor. I sort of regret it now because people with my numbers (or even slightly below) are getting full rides.The very idea of Waco for three years is scary! I wish they would move their law program to dallas like they did the dental school. I do know some people who live in waco during the week, and drive back every weekend to dfw. (not an attractive option for me either) It's true that Baylor grads are pretty much guaranteed to pass the bar, but with a good bar prep and some time, an smu grad shouldnt have any issues either I dont think.

User avatar
FallingHigher

Bronze
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun Nov 11, 2012 4:18 pm

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by FallingHigher » Wed Feb 06, 2013 2:59 am

bluegreen wrote:
Jredelman15 wrote:
kalvano wrote:Go to UT.
+1 they have a major leg up in TX big law
+1000000
Thanks for this. I was all set to go but then my commitment issues kicked in haha. UT at sticker is scary considering I am completely bore after undergrad, but I think it is worth it.

User avatar
TheRedBlueBerry

New
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 3:12 am

Re: SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle)

Post by TheRedBlueBerry » Wed Feb 06, 2013 3:27 am

Does SMU require parent information on the FAFSA? I know most schools don't, but I have heard a few do. I couldn't find any info about parent info on the smu financial aid site/ other SMU threads on TLS. Thanks!

Seriously? What are you waiting for?

Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!


Post Reply

Return to “Law School Acceptances, Denials, and Waitlists”