quinnipiac w/25k vs. penn state at sticker... 2 days to pick Forum

[A'nold]

To rad law: what the hell dude? You usually give decent advice but giving a blanket "retake" to somebody that is getting 25k a year at a t3 without knowing his story is completely dickish and potentially harmful.

I've got $24k/yr at T17 (yes yes blatant whatever trolling) and I am still scared. I wouldn't pay the same price for the 2nd best school in Connecticut.

Penn State is far and away not worth sticker.

But if you must go, Quinnipiac because of less debt.

See, but that's you. You must be an EXTREMELY conservative, risk averse person. If 24k a year at Vandy scares you, then you are obviously focused on biglaw and a quick return on investment. I've said many times on here that making 50k upon graduation is still a good investment as long as you get decent grades and network.

HOWEVER, OP now wants to talk about Boston. I would say that if he/she wants Boston with his/her numbers, he/she should have applied to Suffolk. A 24k a year discount at that school with intent on practicing in Boston in a non-biglaw capacity would be reasonable IMO. Sticker at Penn State is probably not the best idea but could still be worthwhile depending on OP's goals and comfort level paying off quite a bit of debt on a decent but strapping starting salary. All of this is moot after 5 years or so when most attorneys (if they do at least average to good work) make 100k+.

[bk1]

OP doesn't want Boston. OP was using it as a reference point.

[drewski]

Again, not trying to push boston, just trying to see how both schools translate outside of regional numbers. Back to the original post, if I don't really care about where I work (provided being somewhere in the northeast) which of these scenarios would be more beneficial to me? The tier 3 with money, or tier 2 sticker? I'm not saying I'm planning on being an all star, but just based on that and all else equal, what are some ideas? Should I straight up ask Penn state if they would give me money?

[Grizz]

To rad law: what the hell dude? You usually give decent advice but giving a blanket "retake" to somebody that is getting 25k a year at a t3 without knowing his story is completely dickish and potentially harmful.

I've got $24k/yr at T17 (yes yes blatant whatever trolling) and I am still scared. I wouldn't pay the same price for the 2nd best school in Connecticut.

Penn State is far and away not worth sticker.

But if you must go, Quinnipiac because of less debt.

See, but that's you. You must be an EXTREMELY conservative, risk averse person. If 24k a year at Vandy scares you, then you are obviously focused on biglaw and a quick return on investment. I've said many times on here that making 50k upon graduation is still a good investment as long as you get decent grades and network.

I'm just not convinced that grads from these schools who don't do well get legal jobs at all.

$74k for me still equals about $100k debt, so to avoid 25 years of indentured servitude, I'm gonna try my damndest to get big law. $50k probably isn't gonna cut it.

[manbearwig]

Again, not trying to push boston, just trying to see how both schools translate outside of regional numbers. Back to the original post, if I don't really care about where I work (provided being somewhere in the northeast) which of these scenarios would be more beneficial to me? The tier 3 with money, or tier 2 sticker? I'm not saying I'm planning on being an all star, but just based on that and all else equal, what are some ideas? Should I straight up ask Penn state if they would give me money?

Do you count central PA as northeast?

[drewski]

In saying northeast, I'm talking new england, new york, new jersey, Pennsylvania.

[A'nold]

To rad law: what the hell dude? You usually give decent advice but giving a blanket "retake" to somebody that is getting 25k a year at a t3 without knowing his story is completely dickish and potentially harmful.

I've got $24k/yr at T17 (yes yes blatant whatever trolling) and I am still scared. I wouldn't pay the same price for the 2nd best school in Connecticut.

Penn State is far and away not worth sticker.

But if you must go, Quinnipiac because of less debt.

See, but that's you. You must be an EXTREMELY conservative, risk averse person. If 24k a year at Vandy scares you, then you are obviously focused on biglaw and a quick return on investment. I've said many times on here that making 50k upon graduation is still a good investment as long as you get decent grades and network.

I'm just not convinced that grads from these schools who don't do well get legal jobs at all.

$74k for me still equals about $100k debt, so to avoid 25 years of indentured servitude, I'm gonna try my damndest to get big law. $50k probably isn't gonna cut it.

Not true unless you plan on living the "high life" w/in the first 5 years of graduating. By this I mean getting a mortgage, getting two car payments, etc. Living modestly to average will get you out of debt in no time even starting out at 50k, especially if that 50k is a government ADA or PD type job.

Also, I posted before the whole "I do not want Boston, just using it as an example" post, so no need to go all balistic guys, haha.

[manbearwig]

In saying northeast, I'm talking new england, new york, new jersey, Pennsylvania.

Then, if you don't care where in the northeast, go to PSU. They place pretty well in central PA, though I'd assume that's because not many people want to work there. Beyond that, though, you might be screwed. Penn State is hemmed in by Pitt on the west, and then onslaught of Philly and Jersey schools (plus NYC) on the east.

[kalvano]

$74k for me still equals about $100k debt, so to avoid 25 years of indentured servitude, I'm gonna try my damndest to get big law. $50k probably isn't gonna cut it.

$75K is less than $1K a month for 10 years.

[Grizz]

$74k for me still equals about $100k debt, so to avoid 25 years of indentured servitude, I'm gonna try my damndest to get big law. $50k probably isn't gonna cut it.

$75K is less than $1K a month for 10 years.

I'd plan for 25. Worst case scenario.

[kalvano]

$74k for me still equals about $100k debt, so to avoid 25 years of indentured servitude, I'm gonna try my damndest to get big law. $50k probably isn't gonna cut it.

$75K is less than $1K a month for 10 years.

I'd plan for 25. Worst case scenario.

So $500 for 20.

I can rack up that in a weekly bar bill.

[A'nold]

$74k for me still equals about $100k debt, so to avoid 25 years of indentured servitude, I'm gonna try my damndest to get big law. $50k probably isn't gonna cut it.

$75K is less than $1K a month for 10 years.

I'd plan for 25. Worst case scenario.

That's what I'm getting at though. You are on one very far end of the spectrum and I'm just assuming OP has an average risk tolerance.

[Grizz]

Not true unless you plan on living the "high life" w/in the first 5 years of graduating. By this I mean getting a mortgage, getting two car payments, etc. Living modestly to average will get you out of debt in no time even starting out at 50k, especially if that 50k is a government ADA or PD type job.

ADA or PD w/10 yr. IBR is okay. But I'd still have to plan for the worst situation.

$50k a year otherwise? So for IBR about $45k then taxes? Under the US avg. household income? I wouldn't be impoverished, true. But a lot can happen in 25 years. Marriage and kids throws variables into the equation that I would have no clue how to plan for. Hopefully my income would rise. Hopefully I wouldn't get laid off. Who knows?

And Kal, $75k would be amazing. $100k would def. be doable.

edit: my $100k debt I mean.

[kalvano]

That wasn't an IBR quote. That was straight-up repayment.

[Grizz]

That wasn't an IBR quote. That was straight-up repayment.

Right. $75 k would be great.

[kalvano]

That wasn't an IBR quote. That was straight-up repayment.

Right. $75 k would be great.

Are you doing COL loans too?

[A'nold]

Not true unless you plan on living the "high life" w/in the first 5 years of graduating. By this I mean getting a mortgage, getting two car payments, etc. Living modestly to average will get you out of debt in no time even starting out at 50k, especially if that 50k is a government ADA or PD type job.

ADA or PD w/10 yr. IBR is okay. But I'd still have to plan for the worst situation.

$50k a year otherwise? So for IBR about $45k then taxes? Under the US avg. household income? I wouldn't be impoverished, true. But a lot can happen in 25 years. Marriage and kids throws variables into the equation that I would have no clue how to plan for. Hopefully my income would rise. Hopefully I wouldn't get laid off. Who knows?

And Kal, $75k would be amazing. $100k would def. be doable.

edit: my $100k debt I mean.

I think you are most of TLS are way off with these #'s and are far too paranoid and WAY too focused on starting salary #'s. Regardless, Kalvano and my comments just go to show that not everybody evaluates "risk" the same way.

You are a great poster, I just think you need to keep a more open mind when coming into these "which school" kind of threads. Make no mistake, if someone was on here saying, "WHICH SKOOLZ 4 BIGLAWZ? COOLEY OR FLOREEDA COSTALZ?" I would expect anybody to try to help the poor guy out.

[Burger in a can]

Trying to address OP's question about the regional definitions of these schools:

A law firm in... say... Norwich, CT might think Quinnipiac grads are less desirable than grads from:

-BU
-BC
-UConn (W00T!)
-Northeastern
-Suffolk (maybe)

and more desirable than those from:

-Western New England
-Roger Williams
-New England
-UMaine
-Vermont

I am basing this on my lifelong experience as a CT resident, and nothing else. Quinnipiac University actually has a pretty strong reputation around here, and I assume their alumni network is strong in CT. That being said, in Boston, or greater MA, or any other place even within New England, you'd probably run into a different (worse) scenario coming from Quinnipiac.

PSU- I have no idea. I don't really go to Pennsylvania if I don't have to. Maybe someone from around there can make a similar list to this one?

edit: The preceding hypothetical was created under the assumption that graduates of Yale, Harvard, or any other T-14 aren't applying to this random Connecticut law firm)

[Grizz]

That wasn't an IBR quote. That was straight-up repayment.

Right. $75 k would be great.

Are you doing COL loans too?

Yup. $100k in total loans.

[Grizz]

Not true unless you plan on living the "high life" w/in the first 5 years of graduating. By this I mean getting a mortgage, getting two car payments, etc. Living modestly to average will get you out of debt in no time even starting out at 50k, especially if that 50k is a government ADA or PD type job.

ADA or PD w/10 yr. IBR is okay. But I'd still have to plan for the worst situation.

$50k a year otherwise? So for IBR about $45k then taxes? Under the US avg. household income? I wouldn't be impoverished, true. But a lot can happen in 25 years. Marriage and kids throws variables into the equation that I would have no clue how to plan for. Hopefully my income would rise. Hopefully I wouldn't get laid off. Who knows?

And Kal, $75k would be amazing. $100k would def. be doable.

edit: my $100k debt I mean.

I think you are most of TLS are way off with these #'s and are far too paranoid and WAY too focused on starting salary #'s. Regardless, Kalvano and my comments just go to show that not everybody evaluates "risk" the same way.

You are a great poster, I just think you need to keep a more open mind when coming into these "which school" kind of threads. Make no mistake, if someone was on here saying, "WHICH SKOOLZ 4 BIGLAWZ? COOLEY OR FLOREEDA COSTALZ?" I would expect anybody to try to help the poor guy out.

I still don't like it, but I see what you're saying.

[manbearwig]

Trying to address OP's question about the regional definitions of these schools:

A law firm in... say... Norwich, CT might think Quinnipiac grads are less desirable than grads from:

-BU
-BC
-UConn (W00T!)
-Northeastern
-Suffolk (maybe)

and more desirable than those from:

-Western New England
-Roger Williams
-New England
-UMaine
-Vermont

I am basing this on my lifelong experience as a CT resident, and nothing else. Quinnipiac University actually has a pretty strong reputation around here, and I assume their alumni network is strong in CT. That being said, in Boston, or greater MA, or any other place even within New England, you'd probably run into a different (worse) scenario coming from Quinnipiac.

PSU- I have no idea. I don't really go to Pennsylvania if I don't have to. Maybe someone from around there can make a similar list to this one?

edit: The preceding hypothetical was created under the assumption that graduates of Yale, Harvard, or any other T-14 aren't applying to this random Connecticut law firm)

I'm not sure if you could make a similiar list for Pennsylvania. Maybe it's because PA is so much bigger than Connecticut, but different PA law schools apply to different regions, and I'm not sure how much of an overlap there is. Penn State tops central PA. Pitt tops the Pittsburgh area. In Philadelphia, it's UPenn, then Temple/Nova then Drexel. Not including UPenn, you can't compare the placement of the schools because it's all regional.