Top Law Schools

My goals - would like to work in the South: Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Houston, Dallas, Jackson, Savannah, Charleston...as a trial lawyer not sure exactly what I want my focus to be. I am interested in several areas: civil litigation, constitutional law, civil rights, environmental law and intellectual property in the arts.

I am pretty debt averse, but I also understand that sometimes going somewhere with more opportunities is worth the cost.

Other possibilities: Emory, BU, Notre Dame, BC, Wash U - without scholarships. I also could try to up my Wake scholarship since I have another large one on the table.

Thanks guys!!!

Would anyone mind explaining why they picked Bama or Vanderbilt? Especially those that chose Bama.

Depends on large part on where you want to practice, even within the south. For the best odds at the south generally, Vanderbilt is the obvious choice. If you're interested in North Carolina then Wake's the best option, if you want Alabama or Tennessee then I'd say Alabama would be a strong option. Sticker at Vanderbilt is daunting, so I'd really think about it before taking that option.

Alabama/Vanderbilt are both good options. I'd lean towards Vanderbilt, though, since Alabama is more of a gamble career-wise. Vanderbilt is in a different league as far as career placement goes, although if you are fine with ending up in Alabama, it may be a more reasonable choice.

Vanderbilt will give you the best options by far in the south unless you stay in Bama; in which case you will be kicking yourself for not going there. But C'mon Vanderbilt is so cool you gotta do it!

This is really close. Anyone else like to explain?