Help me choose please... Forum

[worldtraveler]

It really sounds like you have no idea what you want to do with law. Think about that a bit more before making a decision. Defer for a year if you really need to. Don't take on 200k+ of debt unless you really know what you want out of it.

[StillCutty]

FYI Dallas is trying really hard to import the "cool vibe" of Austin right now. Maybe by the time you're finished, it'll be an acceptable living/work choice.

[cotiger]

FYI Dallas is trying really hard to import the "cool vibe" of Austin right now. Maybe by the time you're finished, it'll be an acceptable living/work choice.

Tearing down I-345 would go a long way..

[StillCutty]

FYI Dallas is trying really hard to import the "cool vibe" of Austin right now. Maybe by the time you're finished, it'll be an acceptable living/work choice.

Tearing down I-345 would go a long way..

http://www.anewdallas.com/petition/

working on it

[BigZuck]

I'm not sure if someone's addressed this or not, but I'm not sure Berkeley gives you a higher chance of federal clerkships compared to Texas or the rest of the T14s. From what I've looked up + read on here + anecdotal word of mouth, clerkship chances are roughly equal until you get to HYS.

Now, if you really want Cali OP, fine go to Berkeley. Austin's really difficult to get, even if you go to Texas anyways. But you're coming out with a quarter of a million dollars in debt, which could still leave you without a job that can pay it off, and even if you do find a job that can work off that debt, you won't be able to pay if off as fast because unlike Texas, Cali has a high cost of living AND state income tax.

But honestly, I don't understand how you're a Texas resident and would only want to live in Austin. Dallas is fairly liberal, and though Houston's relatively conservative, I think it's a stretch to compare the ideologies of Houstonians to those in the back woods. I mean, unless you're SUPER liberal (Obama bumper sticker, 30 flannel shirts & 15 chinos in the closet, Prius driving type of person). Then maybe, Dallas/Houston aren't fits for you but... yeah.

I'd take Texas. That being said, I did get a bit more scholarship $$$. I'd say wait for grants from UT, which are supposed to get to us early April.

Houston's lesbian mayor might disagree with your assessment of its conservativeness. Also, in big cities there are all kinds. I would worry about stuff like constantly having to look at shitty stripmalls, horrible traffic, etc. before pre-conceived notions of a city's political leanings.

[El Principe]

I'm not sure if someone's addressed this or not, but I'm not sure Berkeley gives you a higher chance of federal clerkships compared to Texas or the rest of the T14s. From what I've looked up + read on here + anecdotal word of mouth, clerkship chances are roughly equal until you get to HYS.

Now, if you really want Cali OP, fine go to Berkeley. Austin's really difficult to get, even if you go to Texas anyways. But you're coming out with a quarter of a million dollars in debt, which could still leave you without a job that can pay it off, and even if you do find a job that can work off that debt, you won't be able to pay if off as fast because unlike Texas, Cali has a high cost of living AND state income tax.

But honestly, I don't understand how you're a Texas resident and would only want to live in Austin. Dallas is fairly liberal, and though Houston's relatively conservative, I think it's a stretch to compare the ideologies of Houstonians to those in the back woods. I mean, unless you're SUPER liberal (Obama bumper sticker, 30 flannel shirts & 15 chinos in the closet, Prius driving type of person). Then maybe, Dallas/Houston aren't fits for you but... yeah.

I'd take Texas. That being said, I did get a bit more scholarship $$$. I'd say wait for grants from UT, which are supposed to get to us early April.

Houston's lesbian mayor might disagree with your assessment of its conservativeness. Also, in big cities there are all kinds. I would worry about stuff like constantly having to look at shitty stripmalls, horrible traffic, etc. before pre-conceived notions of a city's political leanings.

I'm sure OP will enjoy the lack of traffic & strip malls that LA and San Francisco are world-renowned for.

[BigZuck]

I'm not sure if someone's addressed this or not, but I'm not sure Berkeley gives you a higher chance of federal clerkships compared to Texas or the rest of the T14s. From what I've looked up + read on here + anecdotal word of mouth, clerkship chances are roughly equal until you get to HYS.

Now, if you really want Cali OP, fine go to Berkeley. Austin's really difficult to get, even if you go to Texas anyways. But you're coming out with a quarter of a million dollars in debt, which could still leave you without a job that can pay it off, and even if you do find a job that can work off that debt, you won't be able to pay if off as fast because unlike Texas, Cali has a high cost of living AND state income tax.

But honestly, I don't understand how you're a Texas resident and would only want to live in Austin. Dallas is fairly liberal, and though Houston's relatively conservative, I think it's a stretch to compare the ideologies of Houstonians to those in the back woods. I mean, unless you're SUPER liberal (Obama bumper sticker, 30 flannel shirts & 15 chinos in the closet, Prius driving type of person). Then maybe, Dallas/Houston aren't fits for you but... yeah.

I'd take Texas. That being said, I did get a bit more scholarship $$$. I'd say wait for grants from UT, which are supposed to get to us early April.

Houston's lesbian mayor might disagree with your assessment of its conservativeness. Also, in big cities there are all kinds. I would worry about stuff like constantly having to look at shitty stripmalls, horrible traffic, etc. before pre-conceived notions of a city's political leanings.

I'm sure OP will enjoy the lack of traffic & strip malls that LA and San Francisco are world-renowned for.

You ever been to SF dawg? CA strip malls got nothin' on Houston strip malls.

But seriously, just saying that "politics" (whatever that means) shouldn't be a factor here.

[El Principe]

I'm not sure if someone's addressed this or not, but I'm not sure Berkeley gives you a higher chance of federal clerkships compared to Texas or the rest of the T14s. From what I've looked up + read on here + anecdotal word of mouth, clerkship chances are roughly equal until you get to HYS.

Now, if you really want Cali OP, fine go to Berkeley. Austin's really difficult to get, even if you go to Texas anyways. But you're coming out with a quarter of a million dollars in debt, which could still leave you without a job that can pay it off, and even if you do find a job that can work off that debt, you won't be able to pay if off as fast because unlike Texas, Cali has a high cost of living AND state income tax.

But honestly, I don't understand how you're a Texas resident and would only want to live in Austin. Dallas is fairly liberal, and though Houston's relatively conservative, I think it's a stretch to compare the ideologies of Houstonians to those in the back woods. I mean, unless you're SUPER liberal (Obama bumper sticker, 30 flannel shirts & 15 chinos in the closet, Prius driving type of person). Then maybe, Dallas/Houston aren't fits for you but... yeah.

I'd take Texas. That being said, I did get a bit more scholarship $$$. I'd say wait for grants from UT, which are supposed to get to us early April.

Houston's lesbian mayor might disagree with your assessment of its conservativeness. Also, in big cities there are all kinds. I would worry about stuff like constantly having to look at shitty stripmalls, horrible traffic, etc. before pre-conceived notions of a city's political leanings.

I'm sure OP will enjoy the lack of traffic & strip malls that LA and San Francisco are world-renowned for.

You ever been to SF dawg? CA strip malls got nothin' on Houston strip malls.

But seriously, just saying that "politics" (whatever that means) shouldn't be a factor here.

Oh I definitely agree. I was just trying to figure out a reason OP is so opposed to living in Dallas/Houston. Usually, people from outside of the state ignorantly assume Texas is simply Louisiana/Oklahoma/Arkansas with more people and assume people's political ideologies remain pervasive throughout daily conversation.

At least, that's generally how people from Cali act when I say I want to live in Texas.

*tells Cali woman I want to work in Texas*
*scoffs* "Oh, but it's a Red state"

[lschool2017]

I really appreciate all the feedback everyone has posted here. I will say to those posters that have questioned my reluctance to live in Dallas and Houston that they may be right. I haven't particularly enjoyed either city when visiting which amounts to a few times each city. The reason austin is particularly compelling is that my wife's whole family lives here and it would be nice to raise family around them.

To the gentleman or woman that questioned my lack of specific focus for wanting a law degree, I'm actively contemplating the difficult decision to dive into firm work and make more money or go into the public interest work I really enjoy the thought of(criminal litigation, juvenile justice, or government legal work). I can't be the only person of the verge of starting a family that grapples with this.


Does anyone have info on what percent of grads from ut end up in austin?

[BigZuck]

I really appreciate all the feedback everyone has posted here. I will say to those posters that have questioned my reluctance to live in Dallas and Houston that they may be right. I haven't particularly enjoyed either city when visiting which amounts to a few times each city. The reason austin is particularly compelling is that my wife's whole family lives here and it would be nice to raise family around them.

To the gentleman or woman that questioned my lack of specific focus for wanting a law degree, I'm actively contemplating the difficult decision to dive into firm work and make more money or go into the public interest work I really enjoy the thought of(criminal litigation, juvenile justice, or government legal work). I can't be the only person of the verge of starting a family that grapples with this.


Does anyone have info on what percent of grads from ut end up in austin?

I don't think that number exists, but I would ask admissions and see if they can hook you up.

Tons of UT kids would love to live in Austin long term. But it's a small legal market. Therefore employers can be as picky and choosy as they want to be. From what I understand if you want Austin big law then you need tippy top grades and ties. It's unattainable for mere mortals. Then again I do know a 1L from the panhandle who snagged a 1L SA with an Austin-based midsize firm, so maybe it's not as unattainable as I'm thinking.