Top Law Schools

I can guess where this is probably going to go on TLS, but let's see...

disclosures:
1) I like Philadelphia and would be fine working there at least for a couple years
2) not even 100% sure I want to be a lawyer, or at least I'm petrified at the thought of sinking into six figures of debt for a legal education
3) worked out of UG in biglaw. will never, ever go back.

ultimately I want the most freedom upon graduation as possible, both inside and outside of the legal sector. thoughts?

Snarleyow wrote: 2) not even 100% sure I want to be a lawyer

If you aren't sure you want to be a lawyer, you should not be going to law school.

What would you potentially be using this JD to do, if not be a lawyer?

Snarleyow wrote:I can guess where this is probably going to go on TLS, but let's see...

disclosures:
1) I like Philadelphia and would be fine working there at least for a couple years
2) not even 100% sure I want to be a lawyer, or at least I'm petrified at the thought of sinking into six figures of debt for a legal education
3) worked out of UG in biglaw. will never, ever go back.

ultimately I want the most freedom upon graduation as possible, both inside and outside of the legal sector. thoughts?

please share

If you don't know if you want to be an attorney AND you know you will never do biglaw, the only answer would be Temple. It would be horrific to graduate with over 200k in debt for something you will not use.

GULC.

I came to USD and temple was one of my choices, but didnt go after checking out the neighborhood. I loved the school but the neighborhood itself scared hell out of me. I got rejected from GULC.

I came to USD law, not planning to become a lawyer. I came here, b/c my lawyer was charging me too much and he wasnt even good. Before USD law, I had a job that was paying me a bit higher than first yr lawyer, and came to law school thinking I will just hold JD for my benefit and to save lawyer's fee.

However, after one year of studying my ass off, I felt like I really need to make use out of JD, because first, I worked way too hard at school to waste it. Second, I enjoy law more than I thought I would. after law school, I am going back to my old job, b/c thats less stressful and more flexible hour. However, I will do pro bono work.

As you get to lower ranked school, you get less options. You dont want to cut off your options just b/c of your school. Also, you may change your mind down the road and want to make use of your law degree after working so hard for three years.

However, it all depends on your age, experience, life goal, family, etc.

For the record, the area around Temple is fine.

The area around GULC at night is no "nicer" than the area around Temple either.

The Temple campus itself is quite safe.

I think that two points neutralize any advantage that Georgetown may have: you would not mind staying in Philadelphia and you do not want to do biglaw. A free eduation at Temple can be a good thing and your lack of debt will free you up to take the kind of job you may want. Temple (although just reading the thread title, I would have never thought I would be going that way).

1) Temple's campus is safe during the hours you will be there
2) You won't be living that close to Temple anyway, hence 1)

What strings are attached to the Temple scholly? If there are any 1L GPA strings, forget it.

If you're not sure you want to be a lawyer, do not go to law school period.

If you decide to go to law school in a couple of years because you are absolutely sure you want to be a lawyer, go then. Law school is not going anywhere.