159/160 LSAT, 3.58 GPA--Looking for Boston or DC Forum

[username99]

I am not sure if this was discussed, but what do people think in comparing Northeastern U to AU? I know their ranks are far apart, but Northeastern U is arguably the 4th best law school in Boston after HLS, BU, and BC; while AU is also the 4th best law school in DC area after GULC, GW, GMU.

American is a good law school. It's not GTown or GWU, but I'd put it far above Mason for placement in DC. A lot of good lawyers come out of AU.

[Grizz]

I am not sure if this was discussed, but what do people think in comparing Northeastern U to AU? I know their ranks are far apart, but Northeastern U is arguably the 4th best law school in Boston after HLS, BU, and BC; while AU is also the 4th best law school in DC area after GULC, GW, GMU.

American is a good law school. It's not GTown or GWU, but I'd put it far above Mason for placement in DC. A lot of good lawyers come came out of AU.

Past hiring does not necessarily reflect present hiring.

[username99]

I am not sure if this was discussed, but what do people think in comparing Northeastern U to AU? I know their ranks are far apart, but Northeastern U is arguably the 4th best law school in Boston after HLS, BU, and BC; while AU is also the 4th best law school in DC area after GULC, GW, GMU.

American is a good law school. It's not GTown or GWU, but I'd put it far above Mason for placement in DC. A lot of good lawyers come came out of AU.

Past hiring does not necessarily reflect present hiring.

What are you, some kind of a-hole?

[Grizz]

I am not sure if this was discussed, but what do people think in comparing Northeastern U to AU? I know their ranks are far apart, but Northeastern U is arguably the 4th best law school in Boston after HLS, BU, and BC; while AU is also the 4th best law school in DC area after GULC, GW, GMU.

American is a good law school. It's not GTown or GWU, but I'd put it far above Mason for placement in DC. A lot of good lawyers come came out of AU.

Past hiring does not necessarily reflect present hiring.

What are you, some kind of a-hole?

Yes?

[username99]

[/quote]

What are you, some kind of a-hole?[/quote]

Yes?[/quote]

I'd have answered "the best kind." But no, I'm actually pretty curious about your point. Are you saying that AU grads are now not getting any big law gigs? What are your thoughts on GW then?

[deakon10]

That's funny you said that because I was just thinking the same thing on my mind...

Additionally, what would ya'll say about UConn vs NEU for hitting up boston market? Agreed that NEU is right in boston whereas Uconn is about an hour away in Storrs, CT, but UConn has a noticeably better ranking (54 v 98) and seems to be a more solid school. But would UConn's ranking advantage outweigh its disadvantage of out-of-state-location?

[kalvano]

That's funny you said that because I was just thinking the same thing on my mind...

Additionally, what would ya'll say about UConn vs NEU for hitting up boston market? Agreed that NEU is right in boston whereas Uconn is about an hour away in Storrs, CT, but UConn has a noticeably better ranking (54 v 98) and seems to be a more solid school. But would UConn's ranking advantage outweigh its disadvantage of out-of-state-location?

No. If you want Boston, go somewhere near Boston. You'll already have a lot of competition.

[Grizz]

That's funny you said that because I was just thinking the same thing on my mind...

Additionally, what would ya'll say about UConn vs NEU for hitting up boston market? Agreed that NEU is right in boston whereas Uconn is about an hour away in Storrs, CT, but UConn has a noticeably better ranking (54 v 98) and seems to be a more solid school. But would UConn's ranking advantage outweigh its disadvantage of out-of-state-location?

No. If you want Boston, go somewhere near Boston. You'll already have a lot of competition.

For Boston, I wouldn't be satisfied unless I got into at least BC or BU.

[kalvano]

That's probably pretty accurate.

[Grizz]

I'd have answered "the best kind." But no, I'm actually pretty curious about your point. Are you saying that AU grads are now not getting any big law gigs? What are your thoughts on GW then?

AU got about 15% biglaw pre-crash. It is almost assuredly much much lower now. GWs a decent option, 30%ish biglaw before crash, but DC, again, is probably the toughest market right now. Bad news bears.

[AreJay711]

Where do people get their statistics from? I looked on their websites and American's last info was from 2008, no salary info but 48% got jobs with firms and 66% of those that got jobs with firms worked in large firms... so ----> 31.6% big law (in 2008 mind you).

GW, ditto for 2008 data, just has that 65% worked in firms no breakdown. You might be right about this one if you assume GW puts just as many people in large firms as AU... thats kinda doubtful.

And because I'm a Mason lover -- George Mason had theirs for 2009 posted. 42% for firms Average Salary for firms $124,190 Median Salary for firms $145,000. With the average and median I'd say most worked for large and medium firms.

Granted, from what I understand it is probably lower in the current legal job market but what I found isn't really inline with what everyone was saying. I agree that American and GM don't provide the best employment opportunities right now but people shouldn't just guess up statistics to prove their point.

You can check if you like:

http://www.law.gmu.edu/assets/files/car ... 9_3_10.pdf

http://www.law.gwu.edu/Careers/prospect ... stics.aspx

http://www.wcl.american.edu/career/docu ... s.pdf?rd=1

[deakon10]

Thank you... I was going to say.. no way 15% from AU made sense. AU is a good school and to say 85% of people graduated and went to something else is kinda ridic

[deakon10]

That's funny you said that because I was just thinking the same thing on my mind...

Additionally, what would ya'll say about UConn vs NEU for hitting up boston market? Agreed that NEU is right in boston whereas Uconn is about an hour away in Storrs, CT, but UConn has a noticeably better ranking (54 v 98) and seems to be a more solid school. But would UConn's ranking advantage outweigh its disadvantage of out-of-state-location?

No. If you want Boston, go somewhere near Boston. You'll already have a lot of competition.

For Boston, I wouldn't be satisfied unless I got into at least BC or BU.

Yea... this seem to be my goal..but if it doesn't work out then I wanted a second/backup. NEU or UConn?

[kalvano]

UConn Law is in Hartford, and will almost certainly not carry you to Boston.

[Grizz]

Where do people get their statistics from? I looked on their websites and American's last info was from 2008, no salary info but 48% got jobs with firms and 66% of those that got jobs with firms worked in large firms... so ----> 31.6% big law (in 2008 mind you).

GW, ditto for 2008 data, just has that 65% worked in firms no breakdown. You might be right about this one if you assume GW puts just as many people in large firms as AU... thats kinda doubtful.

And because I'm a Mason lover -- George Mason had theirs for 2009 posted. 42% for firms Average Salary for firms $124,190 Median Salary for firms $145,000. With the average and median I'd say most worked for large and medium firms.

Granted, from what I understand it is probably lower in the current legal job market but what I found isn't really inline with what everyone was saying. I agree that American and GM don't provide the best employment opportunities right now but people shouldn't just guess up statistics to prove their point.

You can check if you like:

http://www.law.gmu.edu/assets/files/car ... 9_3_10.pdf

http://www.law.gwu.edu/Careers/prospect ... stics.aspx

http://www.wcl.american.edu/career/docu ... s.pdf?rd=1

Didn't make these up. http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNL ... hbxlogin=1. NLJ250 (biggest 250 firms) is the best metric for big firm placement, bar none, as schools can't massage it. I don't know where American got those numbers, but I'm willing to bet that the 48% of people who got jobs with firms is 48% of those reporting, which is not anywhere close to all of the class.