Is Widener really that bad?? Forum

[r6_philly]

I'm unclear how taking out $100k in loans, plus foregoing $90k in income all with a non zero chance of not being granted bar admission, and a non zero chance of not practicing law is "getting ahead".

I believe, which I am not sure, that you can gain bar admission in DE without having a JD by going through an apprenticeship with a current lawyer. I know plenty of Widener grads - I went to West Chester, which is a big feeder school to Widener and Temple, and I know they have jobs (not high paying) but I wouldn't take out loans to go there.

Someone said it as well, the paralegal program at Widener may actually be better than the law school.

[johnnysweet]

what about other options? so far im applying to hofstra, nyls, syracuse, temple, penn state, rutgers, duquense, drexel, and a few others that i have fee waivers for

[bigkahuna2020]

What is your state of residence?

[claudenm]

what about other options? so far im applying to hofstra, nyls, syracuse, temple, penn state, rutgers, duquense, drexel, and a few others that i have fee waivers for

Here's an option: don't go to law school. Do something in a growing industry if you want to go to school. Something medical related. Become a database administrator. Don't take out $100k to get a job that pays you $50k.

[johnnysweet]

what about other options? so far im applying to hofstra, nyls, syracuse, temple, penn state, rutgers, duquense, drexel, and a few others that i have fee waivers for

Here's an option: don't go to law school. Do something in a growing industry if you want to go to school. Something medical related. Become a database administrator. Don't take out $100k to get a job that pays you $50k.

Keep in mind I graduated with my bachelors 7 years ago. If there were something "better" for me I think I would've found it by now.

And my state is PA I live about an hour north of philly

[claudenm]

what about other options? so far im applying to hofstra, nyls, syracuse, temple, penn state, rutgers, duquense, drexel, and a few others that i have fee waivers for

Here's an option: don't go to law school. Do something in a growing industry if you want to go to school. Something medical related. Become a database administrator. Don't take out $100k to get a job that pays you $50k.

Keep in mind I graduated with my bachelors 7 years ago. If there were something "better" for me I think I would've found it by now.

And my state is PA I live about an hour north of philly

Let me ask you this-- do you know how much a monthly payment on a $100,000 loan is?

[MrAnon]

Widener will not improve your current station in life. If you are unhappy with where you are now then it essentially equates to just taking a new turn down the same old road.

[bigkahuna2020]

Take a shot for Temple in-state or Pitt in-state (depending on which side of the state you want to live in)---maybe apply part time---work in your first year---to subsidize your debt and defray some costs while working wherever.

These are huge longshots though---you REALLY should retake---try this summer---the test is a 12.30pm if that helps.

[johnnysweet]

Not to keep beating a dead horse... but what about the fact that it is the only school in harrisburg, or even within a 2hr drive.
I mean it is the capital of one of the nations most populated states

[r6_philly]

Not to keep beating a dead horse... but what about the fact that it is the only school in harrisburg, or even within a 2hr drive.
I mean it is the capital of one of the nations most populated states

Most of that population isn't within 1 hour drive of Harrisburg. You are not going to get anywhere in Pittsburgh and Philly with that degree.

My UG actually has a feeder program with the harrisburg campus. I looked at there viewbook last night because I have a friend who wants to go through the program, and there isn't even employment numbers on the viewbook. The website has class of 2009 numbers, and it favors the DE campus. I thought you were talking about the DE campus. I wouldn't go to the PA one and pay money. They give 30% to anyone coming through my UG program and I still think that's a bad deal.

[r6_philly]

Not to keep beating a dead horse... but what about the fact that it is the only school in harrisburg, or even within a 2hr drive.
I mean it is the capital of one of the nations most populated states

Also, Harrisburg is 80 Miles from Baltimore (U of Baltimore, U of Maryland), 90 miles from PSU, 100 miles from Villanova, 120 miles from Penn, Temple, Drexel, and the other Widener campus.

[Stonewall]

Not to keep beating a dead horse... but what about the fact that it is the only school in harrisburg, or even within a 2hr drive.
I mean it is the capital of one of the nations most populated states

Most of that population isn't within 1 hour drive of Harrisburg. You are not going to get anywhere in Pittsburgh and Philly with that degree.

My UG actually has a feeder program with the harrisburg campus. I looked at there viewbook last night because I have a friend who wants to go through the program, and there isn't even employment numbers on the viewbook. The website has class of 2009 numbers, and it favors the DE campus. I thought you were talking about the DE campus. I wouldn't go to the PA one and pay money. They give 30% to anyone coming through my UG program and I still think that's a bad deal.

i have family in DE and widener is renowned for not being up to par

[r6_philly]

i have family in DE and widener is renowned for not being up to par

lol that is true, but DE is generally considered not up to par (no offense intended to your family) so it isn't competitive if you want to work in small general firms and government outside of Wilmington. I think something like half of all DE bar members are Widener grads.

[johnnysweet]

but what im saying is that their must be more opportunities as far as internships and such within the capital city that would be available to WidenerH students that aren't available to others because of accessibility.

[r6_philly]

but what im saying is that their must be more opportunities as far as internships and such within the capital city that would be available to WidenerH students that aren't available to others because of accessibility.

Given the way the PA economy and budget situation as is, I wouldn't expect any kind of jobs for the foreseeable future.

Also, you and I both forgot that there is a PSU Law Carlisle campus like 10 miles from the state Capitol.

[johnnysweet]

Also, you and I both forgot that there is a PSU Law Carlisle campus like 10 miles from the state Capitol.

oooohhhh ouch...

[seriously????]

if I were in your position...

1. find out if you can likely pass the bar with your history
2. speak to widener admissions, and similar admissions once you know that you won't have trouble passing the bar (if this is the case), and ask if you would be likely to get money if you reapplied with a stronger lsat score.
3. ask a school like Temple or Pitt how they view your past history. ( you would prolly need a slightly better lsat to get into their part time programs, and way better lsat and early application plus why x essay to get into full time.)
4. if not likely to pass the bar, don't go anywhere. if widener says they are not worried about your past arrests, retake and go for at least a half scholarship. if temple and pitt says they might consider you, retake and apply there to possibly gain some additonal options.
5. if nothing changes, accept it, just realize that you very well could not be making much money for some time, but then again it could very well be the complete opposite.

[johnnysweet]

if I were in your position...

1. find out if you can likely pass the bar with your history
2. speak to widener admissions, and similar admissions once you know that you won't have trouble passing the bar (if this is the case), and ask if you would be likely to get money if you reapplied with a stronger lsat score.
3. ask a school like Temple or Pitt how they view your past history. ( you would prolly need a slightly better lsat to get into their part time programs, and way better lsat and early application plus why x essay to get into full time.)
4. if not likely to pass the bar, don't go anywhere. if widener says they are not worried about your past arrests, retake and go for at least a half scholarship. if temple and pitt says they might consider you, retake and apply there to possibly gain some additonal options.
5. if nothing changes, accept it, just realize that you very well could not be making much money for some time, but then again it could very well be the complete opposite.

cool thanks for the advice. as for #2 i think they will give me some money Im just not sure how much. Cooley already offered me 50% (158= 57%) and I didn't even apply there

[seriously????]

consider applying there

[claudenm]

if I were in your position...

1. find out if you can likely pass the bar with your history
2. speak to widener admissions, and similar admissions once you know that you won't have trouble passing the bar (if this is the case), and ask if you would be likely to get money if you reapplied with a stronger lsat score.
3. ask a school like Temple or Pitt how they view your past history. ( you would prolly need a slightly better lsat to get into their part time programs, and way better lsat and early application plus why x essay to get into full time.)
4. if not likely to pass the bar, don't go anywhere. if widener says they are not worried about your past arrests, retake and go for at least a half scholarship. if temple and pitt says they might consider you, retake and apply there to possibly gain some additonal options.
5. if nothing changes, accept it, just realize that you very well could not be making much money for some time, but then again it could very well be the complete opposite.

cool thanks for the advice. as for #2 i think they will give me some money Im just not sure how much. Cooley already offered me 50% (158= 57%) and I didn't even apply there

You should go to Cooley. It's a great school. You'll do great there.

[johnnysweet]

if I were in your position...

1. find out if you can likely pass the bar with your history
2. speak to widener admissions, and similar admissions once you know that you won't have trouble passing the bar (if this is the case), and ask if you would be likely to get money if you reapplied with a stronger lsat score.
3. ask a school like Temple or Pitt how they view your past history. ( you would prolly need a slightly better lsat to get into their part time programs, and way better lsat and early application plus why x essay to get into full time.)
4. if not likely to pass the bar, don't go anywhere. if widener says they are not worried about your past arrests, retake and go for at least a half scholarship. if temple and pitt says they might consider you, retake and apply there to possibly gain some additonal options.
5. if nothing changes, accept it, just realize that you very well could not be making much money for some time, but then again it could very well be the complete opposite.

cool thanks for the advice. as for #2 i think they will give me some money Im just not sure how much. Cooley already offered me 50% (158= 57%) and I didn't even apply there

You should go to Cooley. It's a great school. You'll do great there.

do I detect sarcasm??

[seriously????]

im not being sarcastic...people say shit about all schools outside the t14, what people that goto t1's and t2's don't realize is that they too are underdogs finding a successful career...
as long as you know that you are the underdog and understand the risks involved go for it

[r6_philly]

Ran into a friend today who is a recent Widener grad (DE) and works in a small practice, doing well. You can do well out of T4 schools, the odds are just longer, so be careful with debt. That's all.

[introversional]

Ran into a friend today who is a recent Widener grad (DE) and works in a small practice, doing well. You can do well out of T4 schools, the odds are just longer, so be careful with debt. That's all.

Can you define "doing well" so we're all on the same page here?

1. 50-75k
2. 75-100k
3. 100-125k
4. 125k-150k
5. 150k+

[r6_philly]

Ran into a friend today who is a recent Widener grad (DE) and works in a small practice, doing well. You can do well out of T4 schools, the odds are just longer, so be careful with debt. That's all.

Can you define "doing well" so we're all on the same page here?

1. 50-75k
2. 75-100k
3. 100-125k
4. 125k-150k
5. 150k+

between 2-3-4. I don't know for sure since I don't ask everyone how much they make. But we share the same expensive hobby and I think you need at least 2/3 to be able to fund it and still have a place in center city. I was actually quite impressed, for someone 2 years out.

Considering what kind of job prospect a Widener 0L would typically have, I think it's a win.