Top Law Schools

I am not picky about where in the country I end up, but I am from Oklahoma initially. My SO's career is likely to take us to a major city, but just about any will do. I am relatively debt averse given the economy. I guess the moral is that I'd like to spend as little money as possible while keeping national employment options open. I'd really appreciate any input!

Oklahoma ($$$$) can the top 10% still find jobs in other cities?
Tulane ($$$)
Duke
UVA
GW
WUSL
WL at Columbia and Georgetown

fightinirish wrote:I am not picky about where in the country I end up, but I am from Oklahoma initially. My SO's career is likely to take us to a major city, but just about any will do. I am relatively debt averse given the economy. I guess the moral is that I'd like to spend as little money as possible while keeping national employment options open. I'd really appreciate any input!

Oklahoma ($$$$) can the top 10% still find jobs in other cities?
Tulane ($$$)
Duke
UVA
GW
WUSL
WL at Columbia and Georgetown

If these are your options then you can pick only one of your two criteria.

If you want flexibility and national job prospects, go with Duke or UVA and stomach the debt.

Surprised you're in at Duke and UVA and no money from WUSTL or GW. I think you'll definitely get money from WUSTL and maybe GW if your app was good enough for two T10 admits.

....

Duke/Virginia - if you are fine with $180,000+ debt (not including interest)

Tulane - if you are debt adverse

None of the other schools are good compromises.

kittenmittons wrote:If you want flexibility and national job prospects, go with Duke or UVA and stomach the debt.

TITCR.

None of the other schools on your list will afford you "national" job prospects without a very high class rank (read: top 10% at GW or WUSTL)

What type of law do you want to practice? Are you a money slut?

mistergoft wrote:

kittenmittons wrote:If you want flexibility and national job prospects, go with Duke or UVA and stomach the debt.

TITCR.

None of the other schools on your list will afford you "national" job prospects without a very high class rank (read: top 10% at GW or WUSTL)

Even if you're top 10% at one of those other schools, it will be more difficult to get your foot in the door without the name recognition.

kittenmittons wrote:

mistergoft wrote:

kittenmittons wrote:If you want flexibility and national job prospects, go with Duke or UVA and stomach the debt.

TITCR.

None of the other schools on your list will afford you "national" job prospects without a very high class rank (read: top 10% at GW or WUSTL)

Even if you're top 10% at one of those other schools, it will be more difficult to get your foot in the door without the name recognition.

I think I would rather be top 10% at either of those schools than median at Dook or UVA ite.
hth.

Edit: not to suggest that anyone should ever go to either of those schools on the basis that they think they have a better shot at being top 10% than if they attend either of the T10s aforementioned.

I haven't heard on scholarships from WUSL or GW but hopefully you all are right! I guess I have a lot of prioirties to sort out.

If you got into Duke and UVA, you will get big scholarship money from WUSTL. They are coming out with their scholarships in the next week or two.

WUSTL would be a good compromise between your two criteria. You will avoid the hefty debt of the T-14s, but you will also have better job prospects than some of the other schools you listed. WUSTL is certainly not Duke or UVA, but you will avoid racking up 150-200k of debt. I'd consider WUSTL or GW (depending on $$$) if you are trying to find a compromise between low debt and a good school. But, if you really want to go to the best school and get the best job prospects, Duke or UVA all the way.