Debating between 5 Law Schools Forum

[FullThrottle]

I'm debating between 5 schools that accepted me at this time. So far all the schools are at sticker price (FAFSA is being processed, may change after then.) Washington and Lee waitlisted, waiting on 3 schools to decide.

I’m interested in studying corporate and international law. I would like to work in the private sector, for a firm or in business, after law school. As far as a region to live in, i'm fairly versatile, east coast. Love Boston, DC, and PA.

Please fill me in with your thoughts and reasons for choosing one school over the others.

[D. H2Oman]

Go to the region that you prefer

[NosferatuDracon]

If you're okay with workin in Ohio than tOSU would be your best choice because it largely dominates much of the legal market there...any of those other schools share their markets with many more schools making it such that you have to place a lot higher in your class to have really good employment prospects than the other places. That being said I've heard that UConn does well in the small legal market that is there.

Nova grads do alright in Philly, but usually behind Temple and Penn grads...but also has more reach to DC and NYC from what I've heard than other places.

Maryland and American I would steer away from if you have the choice because American has A LOT of competition from better schools in DC. A lot of American grads will go to Baltimore to work. Maryland does well with the few firms that are based in Baltimore but they only hire a very small amount of people from the Maryland class they often also hire a lot of American grads. I just see the competition being a lot greater for the few jobs available from these two schools than tOSU, Nova, and UConn

[MTal]

definitely not American...though in your situation it's not going to make a whole lot of difference anyway.

[puppleberry finn]

are you in-state at any?

[flyingpanda]

definitely not American...though in your situation it's not going to make a whole lot of difference anyway.

I'm surprised you didn't just tell him not to go to law school.

[showNprove]

Definitely not American: it's a mediocre school that has no sway in its own market. Not only will you be fighting against Virginia, Georgetown, and GW, but also every other top school and the top students at Tier 1 schools. There is no safety valve.

I would take Villanova over Connecticut, and probably over Maryland. The Philadelphia market has more opportunities than Baltimore, and Philly is a city you listed.

Ohio State is the best school on your list, but not for the East Coast. I would recommend visiting both Ohio State and Cincinnati. If you can picture going to school at the former and living in the latter, then take Ohio State. Otherwise, I vote Villanova.

[OneSixtySix]

UConn will get no love here...but I'll give it some.

Great school, beautiful campus, Good weight in not only Boston market, but all of New England (really only BC and BU to compete with), also have some options with NY (wouldnt bet on that though). In terms of Hartford, its nobody's dream city but its a market that UConn has in the bag. Additionally, after 1L its fairly easy to gain residency and drop costs by about 10k.

In any event, I agree with previous posters in the American is not worth the cash.

[OperaSoprano]

UConn will get no love here...but I'll give it some.

Great school, beautiful campus, Good weight in not only Boston market, but all of New England (really only BC and BU to compete with), also have some options with NY (wouldnt bet on that though). In terms of Hartford, its nobody's dream city but its a market that UConn has in the bag. Additionally, after 1L its fairly easy to gain residency and drop costs by about 10k.

In any event, I agree with previous posters in the American is not worth the cash.

UConn is freaking gorgeous. I'm sorry, but it really, really is. I also hear (from A'nold, who almost went there) that they are really liberal about granting in state tuition even your first year.

[thesealocust]

edit: never mind

[lawschooliseasy]

The biggest problem with American is that it is hellaciously expensive and they don't give out jack for scholarship money. I agree with what's posted above: Ohio State is a good school and dominates the Ohio Market.

[vanwinkle]

I’m interested in studying corporate and international law.

The only winning move is not to play. Nobody practices international law, and almost nobody practices corporate law from those schools.

I'm glad I'm not the only one quoting awesome 80s films in my responses to people.

(To OP, sealocust's comment is TCR.)

[superflush]

If you want to be on the east coast, go to Villanova.
If you are okay with Columbus, then go to OSU.

[badwithpseudonyms]

If I were you, I'd go with Ohio State or UConn. Each has their respective market - albeit small - dominated. You can gain in-state status at each after 1L. And each presents a good opportunity if you're into sports.

If you must stay in the Northeast, go with UConn. Otherwise, Ohio State.

[champ33]

Just a note here the UConn campus is about 45 minutes to an hour away from the undergrad campus.

[Vincent Vega]

I voted UConn because of the dominance within its home state. Clearly, you rarely get Yale grads competing with UConn grads for jobs in Connecticut. Ohio State is also a good choice.

American, Maryland, and Villanova are dominated regionally.

[FullThrottle]

Thank you all for your input. I find your comments to be quite helpful and appreciate the time you put into providing a response. To address general comments:

1: My preference for regions I am familiar with is: DC, Boston, Connecticut, Philly, last Baltimore. I have not visited Ohio yet. I like Boston a lot, went there for undergrad.

2: I am not in-state at any. My home state is NY, home city is NYC.

3: ''Only winning move is not to play''... You have a point that these schools do not seem to place strongly in corporate law. It is important to note as well as the cost of attending these schools.

Nevertheless, I suppose it depends on what one defines as 'winning.' Coming out of law school with a six-figure salary, practicing law in a region you like, not selling out and debasing your values, gaining an ability to raise a family... all of these I consider winning. Do I think this will happen, especially if I don't end up in the top 10 or 20% of the class in these schools?

I work for a multinational corporation right now, with contracts review and the copyrights department. I wish the pay was better but honestly I really believe in what I'm doing. What I do each day helps authors gain the capacity to publish their works. The satisfaction they gain from my work and the work of everyone in my division too boosts me up.

In the end, law for me is one path that I can take to bolstering both my personal values and those entities supporting such values. Whether it's copyright law or international trade, I think there is a place for me with my interests and my acceptances to those schools.

4: In-state status does lower the cost of attendance by a hefty amount. It is an important consideration. Can I only get in-state status at UConn and UMaryland, or is it simply easier in these areas relative to the others?

To conclude: It does seem that it is in my best interest to visit each school and I have been taking the time to do so. Your comments have been great, all of your input I find helpful. Thank you for your responses and feel free to post some more!

[superflush]

4: In-state status does lower the cost of attendance by a hefty amount. It is an important consideration. Can I only get in-state status at UConn and UMaryland, or is it simply easier in these areas relative to the others?

You can get in-state tuition at Ohio State for 2L & 3L.

[TTH]

4: In-state status does lower the cost of attendance by a hefty amount. It is an important consideration. Can I only get in-state status at UConn and UMaryland, or is it simply easier in these areas relative to the others?

You can get in-state tuition at Ohio State for 2L & 3L.

This. Although the whole "corporate and international law," business makes me wanna throw the flame card down, I'm going to troll for Ohio State instead. You get in-state tuition after its first year, plus one of the largest law firms in the world (if not the largest) is headquartered in Cleveland.

[underachiever]

Ohio State(with in state) or none, I mean the legal market sucks and all are going to leave you with 6 figure debt! I know American had a tough time in DC this yr getting 2Ls jobs. I have heard good things about UCONN placement in NYC (but again before this yr). In the end I would go to the cheapest school.

[chicago520]

UCONN does NOT place well in nyc. That is a terrible rumor. Nyc is saturated....and UCONN is sinking in rankings (just got booted from T1). With local schools and t14 in nyc, uconn cannot crack the market.

it lives and dies in Hartford, maybe Boston....maybe.