Top Law Schools

I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on which one is better for Patent law?

Thomas jefferson law or California western Law in San diego?

both very solid choices!

mizzoutigers88 wrote:both very solid choices!

+1

is there benefits of going to one over another

if you must go to one, go to the one that costs you the least amount of money.

Veritas wrote:if you must go to one, go to the one that costs you the least amount of money.

Definitely not good advice. You will get really solid jobs out of those schools that will totally negate any loans you need to take out.
jk

mizzoutigers88 wrote:

Veritas wrote:if you must go to one, go to the one that costs you the least amount of money.

Definitely not good advice. You will get really solid jobs out of those schools that will totally negate any loans you need to take out.
jk

Credited. It's really a matter of what you want to do. Jefferson is better for BigLaw whereas San Diego places more into clerkships and academia.

Veritas wrote:if you must go to one, go to the one that costs you the least amount of money.

This is the advice you should follow. Best of luck.

Neither. I am trying to be honest here. Do you have any other options? If not, can you retake? I honestly believe that it is not worth encurring any debt to attend either of these schools.

For Cali, Southwestern is the lowest that I would go!

chadwick218 wrote:Neither. I am trying to be honest here. Do you have any other options? If not, can you retake. I honestly believe that it is not worth encurring any debt to attend either of these schools.

While no fun, this is correct. Do not attend either of these schools.

For Cal Western

J.D. Tuition
2009/2010 - JD Program

Full-time (10 to 17 units) - $19,200 per term*
Part-time (8 - 11 units) - $13,500 per term**

Thomas Jefferson isn't much better

BigA wrote:For Cal Western

J.D. Tuition
2009/2010 - JD Program

Full-time (10 to 17 units) - $19,200 per term*
Part-time (8 - 11 units) - $13,500 per term**

Thomas Jefferson isn't much better

Yikes!

Are you getting $$ at any of them?

roadkilllaw wrote:Are you getting $$ at any of them?

no i havent applied yet

pad wrote:I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on which one is better for Patent law?

Thomas jefferson law or California western Law in San diego?

You need to tell us more.
Both of those would be absolute last resort choices.
What did you get on the LSAT, etc.
Almost nobody is going to recommend that you go to either of those schools.

I'm very interested in these two schools as well.

I read that Thomas Jefferson is the best for patent law (not anything else though).

For a local perspective: the managing partner at my firm in San Diego will not even consider interviewing an applicant from Thomas Jefferson. However, they do speak very highly of Cal Western and we have a few partners that are Cal Western graduates. Most are USD graduates though. They have told me to take money at Cal Western over sticker at USD any day but don't go to Cal Western for full price either.

in many threads like this one the members consistently say how bad of an idea it is to attend lower ranked law schools, mostly for the lack of biglaw job prospects and hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt.

i certainly don't disagree with that point. my issue concerns why people out there harp on the financial aspect. i could understand if it were genuine concern for another prospective law student, but it seems that isn't really ever the case. finances are a consideration for any school, but since you aren't paying their tuition why do you care that a total stranger is going to piss away $150,000 at a school you would never attend?

cal western > thomas jefferson, imo

but only because i've taken classes from cal western professors + know a successful alum at the DAs office + rankings

Just got my acceptance from TJLS. I'd like to work in San Diego and USD is out of the question so I am hoping to have the option of TJLS or Cal Western. Would it be safe to assume since I was accepted to TJLS with $$ that I would get a similar package or at least an acceptance from Cal Western?

CmonSD wrote:For a local perspective: the managing partner at my firm in San Diego will not even consider interviewing an applicant from Thomas Jefferson. However, they do speak very highly of Cal Western and we have a few partners that are Cal Western graduates. Most are USD graduates though. They have told me to take money at Cal Western over sticker at USD any day but don't go to Cal Western for full price either.

I don't know about Cal Western, but I can tell I have never been impressed with a USD grad. Therefore, by default, Cal Western wins over USD. I don't care what the rankings say.

chadwick218 wrote:For Cali, Southwestern is the lowest that I would go!

If I wanted to practice in San Diego, I definitely would have chosen Cal Western over Southwestern...

There are a couple of factors to consider

1) Cal Western has been around a lot longer
2) Bar pass rates
3) Quality of student life

You need to do your research on bar pass rates and talk to students to get a feel for #3.
You should also visit a couple of classes at both schools.

TheTopBloke wrote:

CmonSD wrote:For a local perspective: the managing partner at my firm in San Diego will not even consider interviewing an applicant from Thomas Jefferson. However, they do speak very highly of Cal Western and we have a few partners that are Cal Western graduates. Most are USD graduates though. They have told me to take money at Cal Western over sticker at USD any day but don't go to Cal Western for full price either.

I don't know about Cal Western, but I can tell I have never been impressed with a USD grad. Therefore, by default, Cal Western wins over USD. I don't care what the rankings say.

Cal Western is starting to win me over as well. USD is really disappointing me this cycle and won't answer any of my questions and still hasn't updated my file to include my additional LOR. (It has been almost 2 months since LSAC sent them the report) Also, the attorneys I work for who attended USD all say to go to Cal Western if I want to stay local....I find that a bit odd as well. But for the OP, Cal Western over TJ for sure. If you decide to go there let me know! I may see you there!