UM or USC $$$ & connections both...want to return to Miami! Forum

[chuckbass]

ZGR and any-The class I took used even tests up to 50 the first time time around and odd tests up to 50 the second time around. I then took 14 practice tests leading up to the current exam. The class I took was 3 months long and we met 9 hours a week. I think not counting the few tests that were never released, I have seen a vast majority of almost all of the exams. Many people can beat the LSAT, but I do not think I am one of them. Then add the fact that my parents are basically bribing me to go straight into school. My whole family are attorneys and are all quite stubborn (Dad, Grandpa, three uncles, brother, sister).

Are your brother and sister doing well considering their grades (lost scholarship and almost lost scholarship)?

[brockjake23]

Co- Miami is the goal after graduation, but the weather is indeed nice at both places. UF was eliminated because my parents feel like all my connections are in Miami and it would be a waste to attend school in Florida and not go to UM. I am inclined to agree with them as I have built in 2L and 3L internships with judges and firms.

[Gooner91]

Then I say SC unless being in Miami is the goal. Less debt than you'll have at t14 still a decent shot at big law and you're in someplace that isn't still getting snow.

(I still think uf needs to be revisited. Maybe they have have their reasonsn but I have no idea what those might be.)

Doesn't Miami have less than 5% of grads working in firms of 500+?

[CO2016YEAH]

Co- Miami is the goal after graduation, but the weather is indeed nice at both places. UF was eliminated because my parents feel like all my connections are in Miami and it would be a waste to attend school in Florida and not go to UM. I am inclined to agree with them as I have built in 2L and 3L internships with judges and firms.

Welp. Miami it is then.

[CO2016YEAH]

But don't tell them that until the last second and negotiate that discount.

[Fiero85]

You're in a very weird situation.

Since your parents are paying and you won't retake, just go to UM and work in Miami as much as possible during school. Good luck.

[PrideandGlory1776]

Re-take is the only option

[crisgcia]

Different schools, but same situation that I'm in and I'm choosing UM. I had a friend who went away to law school and has a rough time breaking into Miami for internships because of it. Although connections can take you far, they mean so much more if you stay in the area to nurture them.

And everyone's going to tell you to retake, but if you've got the money and you're going place better in Miami by going to the strongest regional school, it doesn't matter. This city doesn't care as much about pedigree as it does about networking.

[brockjake23]

Co-I got a scholarship extension so I did not have to accept on the first of April and I plan on negotiating when it gets closer to their seat deposit (15th). Hopefully I can get them to come down to UF or FSU. I really do not know how to weigh personal connections vs. school connections as factors for Miami.

[aboutmydaylight]

OP your goals/conditions are so restrictive you don't even really have a question. The only choice you have given everything is UM apparently.

[brockjake23]

Crisg-I pmed you!

Gooner-Yes, but I would have no debt and have a great in at a 6 figure medium firm and two good ins with extremely large firms.

Scott-My brother is doing fine, despite being an underachiever and my sister is still in school, but just wants to take over my dad's small practice.

[brockjake23]

Daylight-I am deciding between UM and USC, because I don't know if staying in Miami for law school adds anything to my connections while going to USC could open up something different.

[TheSpanishMain]

Your parents sound like weird baby boomers who think they know more than they do.

That said, since Miami trumps everything for you and you're going for free, yeah, go to UM.

[Mullens]

Is there anything stopping you from retaking in June and just attending in the fall if you don't improve your score (even though it's not the most advisable thing)?

[Gooner91]

Crisg-I pmed you!

Gooner-Yes, but I would have no debt and have a great in at a 6 figure medium firm and two good ins with extremely large firms.

Scott-My brother is doing fine, despite being an underachiever and my sister is still in school, but just wants to take over my dad's small practice.

Does a great in mean they will give you a job no matter where you go or what your class rank is?

[brockjake23]

Gooner-As long as I get a 3.5 and go to a goodish school, I think so.

[brockjake23]

Mullens-I defend my thesis in 4 days and my goal was to be published in a scientific journal over the summer. I have not looked at any LSAT tests since last june.

[anyriotgirl]

Gooner-As long as I get a 3.5 and go to a goodish school, I think so.

I would look into that a little further if I were you. A 3.5 could be pretty tough to get depending on what your school curves to.

[brockjake23]

Any-It appears to be in the top quarter of the class at both USC and Miami.

USC has a median of 3.3 with a 10% of 3.6ish

UM has a median of 3.0, but with a much larger span for higher and lower percentiles.

[anyriotgirl]

Any-It appears to be in the top quarter of the class at both USC and Miami.

USC has a median of 3.3 with a 10% of 3.6ish

UM has a median of 3.0, but with a much larger span for higher and lower percentiles.

That's what I mean I would get your connection to clarify the terms. Law school is unpredictable and no matter where you go the top 10% is going to be tough to crack.

[downinDtown]

Your parents sound like weird baby boomers who think they know more than they do.

0L = <in whiny voice> "But Maaaah, I want to see the world, live a little."
Mother = "that's nice" <wraps bib around 0L's neck at dinner table>, "but we like you living close so we can see you every day so I can cook, clean, and do your dirty laundry."
0L = "But, but, on an internet chat room I saw that I can retake the LSAT and get lots of money to lots better schools."
Father = "When I came out of law school, the firms were chasing after me for jobs, and the legal market is doing so well now, not to mention you're smart and handsome like me, so you'll have plenty of jobs."
0L = "But can't I at least try and go to a T14 school?"
Parents = "Not if you want our money, you can't..."
0L = "Let me go ask my chat room friends..."

Conditional spending at it's finest. Your parents learned from the federal gov't.

But seriously, for your goals and circumstances, Miami is the best fit. At least it sounds like you have a fallback option with the family law practice connections, and hopefully you can leverage some of your family's connections into even better employment options. And with Ma & Pa footing the bill, it's not so risky.