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I think I want to end up practicing in FL but also want to leave DC, NY, and other markets open for possibilities. Therefore, I feel ND is the best fit, but I will be paying sticker. Therefore, wanted to get opinions of value of ND vs. incurring less debt?

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Stetson will in no way open up DC and NY, which are incredibly saturated markets. In fact, Stetson won't open many doors outside Tampa/St. Pete. Why no UF? Hesitantly, I recommend ND.

Jaroo what are your numbers if you do not mind? I have the same exact offers yet have yet to hear from ND, and will likely have to make a similar choice soon,however I still have Miami and FSU in my mix. I also want to stay in FL but do not want to cut off the markets you listed.

jaroo917 wrote:I think I want to end up practicing in FL but also want to leave DC, NY, and other markets open for possibilities.

Also, honestly, if this is what you want, your best options are the T-14 plus Texas and Vandy. You're trying to break into three very disparate regions, and you need to go to a school with national mobility and prestige, or you need to work for a while to establish yourself, then try to move (also a hard road). That's the long and short of it.

Thanks for the input, I would go T14 but my numbers are lower than all T14. In fact, my numbers are slightly below the medians for ND too

jaroo917 wrote:Thanks for the input, I would go T14 but my numbers are lower than all T14. In fact, my numbers are slightly below the medians for ND too

You are probably gonna have to pick and area you want to practice in and go to school there. It still baffles me why you didn't apply (I assume) to UF.

Did apply to UF but got waitlisted, still waiting to hear from FSU

jaroo917 wrote:Did apply to UF but got waitlisted, still waiting to hear from FSU

ND but no UF? You're having a hell of a cycle. Anyways, I still say ND, given your other 2 options. Best of luck.

I know I was pretty stunned too. For me UF was a target school and ND a reach, so I was surprised on both ends. I had pretty good softs that I guess ND liked better. Thanks for the input!

jaroo917 wrote:I know I was pretty stunned too. For me UF was a target school and ND a reach, so I was surprised on both ends. I had pretty good softs that I guess ND liked better. Thanks for the input!

What about FSU? Make sure to do everything you can to show UF that you're still interested. Notre Dame seems like an awful lot of money for a school that won't guarantee anything whatsoever in the markets you listed. Temple is relatively out of the question. Its really not that portable outside of Philly. I don't know enough about Stetson to chime in. Seriously though, do everything you can to help get off the UF waitlist. Otherwise, I would be weary of picking the other options you listed based upon your goals. Good luck.

I'm still waiting to hear back from FSU. But I feel like ND gives me greater portability and has more prestige nationally, especially compared to my other options.

any more opinions?

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Heh, can't believe you got into ND but not UF. Mind PMing me your numbers?

I'm a Florida resident myself who got into both UF and FSU, and some pretty hefty $$ from FSU. I can't imagine I would have got into ND though which leaves me to believe you might be eligible for a similar scholarship at florida state.

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Go to Notre Dame. It isn't even close.

thanks that's how i'm starting to feel too

I would not consider Temple or Stetson. ND is a great school with a good natl rep. As for FL, I am not surprised about getting into ND and not FL (I've actually heard of weirder, but I dont go to either school so am not an authority). Both schools are heavy on the softs and as a state school, FL will trend towards people who want to practice in state.

Steton won't guarantee you anything in FL, ND will, and beyond. Get a biglaw job out of ND, work, then lateral wherever you want. Hope this helps.

southflalove wrote:I would not consider Temple or Stetson. ND is a great school with a good natl rep. As for FL, I am not surprised about getting into ND and not FL (I've actually heard of weirder, but I dont go to either school so am not an authority). Both schools are heavy on the softs and as a state school, FL will trend towards people who want to practice in state.

Steton won't guarantee you anything in FL, ND will, and beyond. Get a biglaw job out of ND, work, then lateral wherever you want. Hope this helps.

What makes you think that this will be so easy, particularly if OP wants to practice in FL rather than than the midwest?

I don't know much about Stetson but you are right about Temple. This is a very good regional school if you want to stay in the Delaware Valley area. Temple's relatively low cost and huge local alumni network make it almost a no brainer in the Philly area (behind only UPenn). But if you definitely do not want to practice in Temple's backyard (at least for your first few years) then scratch it from the list. Good luck with ND and UF.

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Thanks everybody for the advice. My thoughts mirror your opinions. I feel without being entirely sure of where I want to practice ND is the best choice even with the extra debt.

With the way IBR is structured now, debt really isn't an issue

That's true, its 25 yrs forgiveness (as long as you are paying 10% of income) for non-PI jobs, correct?

jaroo917 wrote:That's true, its 25 yrs forgiveness (as long as you are paying 10% of income) for non-PI jobs, correct?

yep