Top Law Schools

Ok...this is the last time I'm gonna post this, I promise. I have info on merit/need based aid from all of my top choices and I'm close to a decision. Again, I'm interested in public interest and health law, I'd like to settle in NYC eventually (i'm in NYC now, but not completely closed to oving), and money is somewhat of a factor. Pending a miracle with Fordham, these are my options. Please vote, and feel free to comment on any of these schools.

This is a tough decision, I mean I have two major questions. First, what are your career ambitions? Depending on what they are, WUSTL high rank may or may not be necessary. Second, when you say eventually, is there any timeframe? I mean, if you want to be in NYC in four years, then Cardozo would be appealing, 15 years, then it may not matter too much as you are more likely to have the clout to make a move like that. (as opposed to recent grads, who just take what they can get)

Add: This is not meant to start a fight between Cardozo and WUSTL supporters, I don't mean "necessary" in terms of absolutes, just that there are things that the high ranks indicates as far as likelihood and ease of happening.

Why would you even list SH and BLS in this poll?

I'm interested in working in the health care field, in the government or non-profit sector, as a policy advocate, administrator, or management consultant. Neither WUSTL nor Cardozo have very strong health law programs (Seton Hall and Brooklyn do) - does this matter at all?

Only an idiot would take any school from that list other than WUSTL.

T14_Scholly wrote:Only an idiot would take any school from that list other than WUSTL.

This. It's not even a question.

I'm leaning toward WUSTL, but I've heard (from this site actually) that it would be foolish to expect to move back to NYC after graduating. WUSTL has almost no national reach and I don't want to be stuck in St. Louis for five years after I'm done.

Seton Hall = BigDebtSmallLAw

carlkenneth wrote:I'm leaning toward WUSTL, but I've heard (from this site actually) that it would be foolish to expect to move back to NYC after graduating. WUSTL has almost no national reach and I don't want to be stuck in St. Louis for five years after I'm done.

Would you rather work in shitlaw for 40k in NYC then mid/biglaw in St. Louis?

Think about it.

Oban wrote:

carlkenneth wrote:I'm leaning toward WUSTL, but I've heard (from this site actually) that it would be foolish to expect to move back to NYC after graduating. WUSTL has almost no national reach and I don't want to be stuck in St. Louis for five years after I'm done.

Would you rather work in shitlaw for 40k in NYC then mid/biglaw in St. Louis?

Think about it.

Becoming a lawyer is all about money, after all. You can tell by my avatar what I'm after.

Oban wrote:

carlkenneth wrote:I'm leaning toward WUSTL, but I've heard (from this site actually) that it would be foolish to expect to move back to NYC after graduating. WUSTL has almost no national reach and I don't want to be stuck in St. Louis for five years after I'm done.

Would you rather work in shitlaw for 40k in NYC then mid/biglaw in St. Louis?

Think about it.

This site is so frustrating sometimes. Not everyone wants a $160K big law job.

My goal is to work in public interest - I'm obviously not expecting a huge salary. Thus I'd be choosing between "shit law" in NYC and "shit law" in St. Louis. Given that my goal is public interest, a field that is known for lower salaries, my guess is that public interest jobs in NYC pay more than those in St. Louis.

As a BLS student (and one who is happy with it), I will tell you that your decision should only come down to Cardozo v. WUSTL. That is to say, there are no reasons to choose BLS or Seton Hall over Cardozo. Cardozo is giving you more, has a great location, is a bit of a better school (all those TTT discussions of BLS aside).

I am by no means a slave to rankings, but in this instance I'd have to say WUSL unless you absolutely want to work in NYC, in which case I'd say Cardozo.

Visit WUSTL, Cardozo, and Brooklyn. Then get back to us. Eliminate Seton Hall from consideration.

EDIT: I'd suggest Dozo or WUSTL, though.

Here is where Wustl places if you haven't seen this.

New England 3%
Mid-Atlantic 14%
East North Central 16%
West North Central 25%
South Atlantic 17%
East South Central 3%
West South Central 6%
Mountain 5%
Pacific 8%
Foreign 4%

Seems pretty national to me, especially considering that most people who go to WUSTL probably have midwest/Chicago ambitions. I am currently at WUSTL and had no problems securing 3 jobs on the east coast this year (as well as 3 in midwest). Barely in top 3rd of class and one of the east coast jobs is very, very good. Also keep in mind that WUSTL's reputation and rank has been growing throughout the years and may be better by the time you graduate.

Cardozo, more money in the city you want. My 2nd choice would be WUSTL. Regarding the health law programs at Brooklyn and Seton, your preferences might change, and you could still get good health law job experience over the summers.

Which campus visits gave you a good vibe?

carlkenneth wrote:

Oban wrote:

carlkenneth wrote:I'm leaning toward WUSTL, but I've heard (from this site actually) that it would be foolish to expect to move back to NYC after graduating. WUSTL has almost no national reach and I don't want to be stuck in St. Louis for five years after I'm done.

Would you rather work in shitlaw for 40k in NYC then mid/biglaw in St. Louis?

Think about it.

This site is so frustrating sometimes. Not everyone wants a $160K big law job.

My goal is to work in public interest - I'm obviously not expecting a huge salary. Thus I'd be choosing between "shit law" in NYC and "shit law" in St. Louis. Given that my goal is public interest, a field that is known for lower salaries, my guess is that public interest jobs in NYC pay more than those in St. Louis.

Yes but COL is big

50,000 in St L is = 103,000 in NY
There is no way that you will really be making more when you are considering COL

Sorry but clearly very anti NY city

1WingedAngel wrote:Cardozo, more money in the city you want. My 2nd choice would be WUSTL. Regarding the health law programs at Brooklyn and Seton, your preferences might change, and you could still get good health law job experience over the summers.

Which campus visits gave you a good vibe?

So far I've visited Cardozo and Seton Hall. Both gave me a good vibe, though my recollection of Seton Hall may have been influenced because of excitement over the scholarship $. I hadn't found out about the Cardozo $ at the time.

I have been WUSTL's campus a few times for work (conferences etc.), but I haven't checked out the law school.

I'm going to visit Brooklyn in the next couple of weeks. I've been procrastinating because I work across the street from the school.

TipTravHoot wrote:

T14_Scholly wrote:Only an idiot would take any school from that list other than WUSTL.

This. It's not even a question.

TITCR which means about 30% of poll responses are from idiots.

im_blue wrote: TITCR which means about 30% of poll responses are from idiots.

You don't think that Dozo and WUSTL are close for NYC?