Absolute GAME CHANGER!!! Need to decide A-S-A-P Forum

[geoduck]

Good Standing is a ridiculously better condition than top 33%. You have no way of knowing that you will be in the top 33% for certain... but you can pretty much expect that you will keep Good Standing. Even if Notre Dame didn't have the better prestige, this would be important. Together? ND all the way.

I agree with you, but Wake's stips are actually top 66% not 33%. And I think you keep half if you fall below top 66%.

Still tho! ND

Dur yes, that is correct. Hurrah for speed reading brain lapses. Still, good standing is better.

[D-ROCCA]

It is highly probable that you won't get either DC Biglaw or "politics" coming out of either of those schools. WFU just started a DC 3L externship or something, and ND has a better than average alumni base, but it's unlikely you'll land DC strictly from a numbers perspective.

[Perch]

Go to Notre Dame and don't look back. Congrats!

[Robespierre]

Wake has the 36K bigger scholarship. ND has the better Biglaw placement (24% vs. 15%), the better scholly stips, the higher ranking (23 vs. 39), and the stronger brand. Do ND's selling points outweigh the 36K? I say Yes, but I don't see how it's a no-brainer.

Good luck with the decision.

[SrLaw]

Wake has the 36K bigger scholarship. ND has the better Biglaw placement (24% vs. 15%), the better scholly stips, the higher ranking (23 vs. 39), and the stronger brand. Do ND's selling points outweigh the 36K? I say Yes, but I don't see how it's a no-brainer.

Good luck with the decision.

Any other thoughts ?

[JusticeHarlan]

It is highly probable that you won't get either DC Biglaw or "politics" coming out of either of those schools. WFU just started a DC 3L externship or something, and ND has a better than average alumni base, but it's unlikely you'll land DC strictly from a numbers perspective.

This. The question becomes, which would you rather be: a ND student looking for gigs in Chicago/the midwest with a decent amount of debt, or a WF student looking for jobs in North Carolina/the south with a smaller amount of debt?

[flcath]

It is highly probable that you won't get either DC Biglaw or "politics" coming out of either of those schools. WFU just started a DC 3L externship or something, and ND has a better than average alumni base, but it's unlikely you'll land DC strictly from a numbers perspective.

This. The question becomes, which would you rather be: a ND student looking for gigs in Chicago/the midwest with a decent amount of debt, or a WF student looking for jobs in North Carolina/the south with a smaller amount of debt?

I'd rather be the latter, but that assumes the worst (highly risk-averse perspective).

OP should be prepared for that difference, but I wouldn't say it boils down to that. He could also end up at bottom of the first quartile going into OCIs, the type of rank that would suffice for an SA at ND but not at Wake.

[SrLaw]

I seem to be a bit confused. Does ND not offer around 40% of its class with biglaw/clerkship opps?

[JamMasterJ]

ND is TCR, but pick Wake so I can have your spot

[flcath]

I seem to be a bit confused. Does ND not offer around 40% of its class with biglaw/clerkship opps?

In 2007. This is ITE.

[JusticeHarlan]

I seem to be a bit confused. Does ND not offer around 40% of its class with biglaw/clerkship opps?

What flcath said. Most recent data puts it closer to 30%, and that's before getting into what fraction of those are in DC.

[flcath]

I seem to be a bit confused. Does ND not offer around 40% of its class with biglaw/clerkship opps?

What flcath said. Most recent data puts it closer to 30%, and that's before getting into what fraction of those are in DC.

God, just seeing printed references to the days of 40+% Biglaw/Art.3 placement makes it seems surreal. It was only a few years ago, but it feels like I'm looking at antiquity; like when old lawyers will talk about how tuition was $5K/yr. when they went to school.

[JusticeHarlan]

I seem to be a bit confused. Does ND not offer around 40% of its class with biglaw/clerkship opps?

What flcath said. Most recent data puts it closer to 30%, and that's before getting into what fraction of those are in DC.

God, just seeing printed references to the days of 40+% Biglaw/Art.3 placement makes it seems surreal. It was only a few years ago, but it feels like I'm looking at antiquity; like when old lawyers will talk about how tuition was $5K/yr. when they went to school.

Yeah, but jokes on them, they didn't get starting salaries of $190,000, amiright?

[005618502]

ND is definitely the better choice! congrats

[flcath]

I seem to be a bit confused. Does ND not offer around 40% of its class with biglaw/clerkship opps?

What flcath said. Most recent data puts it closer to 30%, and that's before getting into what fraction of those are in DC.

God, just seeing printed references to the days of 40+% Biglaw/Art.3 placement makes it seems surreal. It was only a few years ago, but it feels like I'm looking at antiquity; like when old lawyers will talk about how tuition was $5K/yr. when they went to school.

Yeah, but jokes on them, they didn't get starting salaries of $190,000, amiright?

Yeah. It's starting to resemble a lottery more and more: low odds, big payout.

Weird to click to the Jones Day website and see ND grads from 05-06 who didn't even finish cum laude.

[pretzel]

OP 2 Questions -

1. Are you Catholic?

I don't ask because going to ND if you're not Catholic is a problem (I'm a current 1L at ND and not Catholic - not a problem at all), or that law firm employers will really care. But, if you're interested in a career in Politics and you're not Catholic, you will forever have the fact that you went to a Catholic law school on your resume & in your background. This could be a bonus for some districts, but it could definitely be a detriment for others. Not a big deal, but something to consider if you don't want to be associated in the future with Catholics.

2. Where are you from?

The winters here are harsh. If you're used to a warmer climate (like I am), it's a rough transition.

Neither are huge, just things to consider. I took ND over a larger scholarship at Wake last year and don't regret it at all.

[rebexness]

[SrLaw]

Shameless bump to see if anyone else has any advice.

[northwood]

Was ND your top school going in? 36k is a lot of money, but its like adding a new car payment onto your law school debt. ( although you will be buying a new 36,000 car every three years, so that analogy isnt good).

I think your choice should come down to the backup options. Would you rather work in the midwest or the southeast ( NC)? Lets take biglaw out of hte picture for a second- which region do you prefer? Where is your family and roots? How important is that in your decision making process? how much other debt do you currently have? how debt averse are you? If you have a ton of debt- that may change things considerbly- but maybe not. Also take a look at where the schools place outside DC- how do you feel about the prospect of living and working there?

For me- id go ND. But im biased in the fact that I am a northerner and I prefer to stay in the North. I you are from the south- then maybe you might lean towards wake.

hope this helps Congrats OP!

[YourCaptain]

I would still have chosen IUB with 40k... (if that was you), but nd is probably the better school

I turned down IUB w/ $120 and did not think twice about it.