Top Law Schools

So looking for y'alls opinion. I want to do BigLaw but I do not particularly care if it is in LA or NYC, which school should I go with.

Well, Big Law is going to be a bit of a trick from either of those schools. Would you describe yourself as Big Law or bust?

A "trick" seems too negative a term regarding biglaw and USC/Fordham.

OP, I'd go with Fordham. California's economy sucks and yay scholarship money.

Pearalegal wrote:A "trick" seems too negative a term regarding biglaw and USC/Fordham.

OP, I'd go with Fordham. California's economy sucks and yay scholarship money.

If it isn't at least a 50/50 proposition, its a trick. Especially at sticker when you know there are going to be a good 20% of the class walking in with an inherent advantage.

It is difficult to offer any meaningful advice based on the limited information provided in the original post. Have you visited both law schools? Is there a particular area of law in which you have a strong interest? What does "biglaw" mean to you? For example, if "biglaw" is just a job as a lawyer at one of the nation's largest 250 law firms, then just base your decision on the most recent National Law Journel "biglaw" placement survey results.

DerrickRose wrote:

Pearalegal wrote:A "trick" seems too negative a term regarding biglaw and USC/Fordham.

OP, I'd go with Fordham. California's economy sucks and yay scholarship money.

If it isn't at least a 50/50 proposition, its a trick. Especially at sticker when you know there are going to be a good 20% of the class walking in with an inherent advantage.

What's the inherent advantage? Not having to pay sticker?

DerrickRose wrote:

Pearalegal wrote:A "trick" seems too negative a term regarding biglaw and USC/Fordham.

OP, I'd go with Fordham. California's economy sucks and yay scholarship money.

If it isn't at least a 50/50 proposition, its a trick. Especially at sticker when you know there are going to be a good 20% of the class walking in with an inherent advantage.

Fair enough if thats your definition of a trick.

But how on earth is scholarship money an advantage for employment prospects. Its an advantage after you get employed in terms of debt but...its not like your scholarship comes with more OCI bids or anything.

I have visited both schools and I am originally from So Cal but I also love NYC.. I am looking to do IP and I want to work for a NLJ 250 firm when grad making 160K.

USC for sure.

Pearalegal wrote:

DerrickRose wrote:

Pearalegal wrote:A "trick" seems too negative a term regarding biglaw and USC/Fordham.

OP, I'd go with Fordham. California's economy sucks and yay scholarship money.

If it isn't at least a 50/50 proposition, its a trick. Especially at sticker when you know there are going to be a good 20% of the class walking in with an inherent advantage.

Fair enough if thats your definition of a trick.

But how on earth is scholarship money an advantage for employment prospects. Its an advantage after you get employed in terms of debt but...its not like your scholarship comes with more OCI bids or anything.

The kids with the big scholarships did better on the LSAT than OP and/or were better college students than OP. I know OP is a special flower that is going exude genuine passion for his studies 24/7 for 10 straight months, but the statistics say that he is likely to fail to break the top 1/4 or 1/3 of the class that it will take him to get BigLaw.

Until I hear them say that they have an interest in being a lawyer beyond just a 160k starting salary, I say T6 or bust. (and/or a lower school with $$$$, so they can become a high school teacher when they run out of the profession like its a burning building)

Calculate all the costs. You might be paying as much for Fordham even with the scholarship with COL. Maybe not though -- I know nothing about LA.

I would say they would both give you about the same shot at biglaw. One thing you should note is that the biglaw lifestyle is more laid back (less hours; less pressure) in CA than in NYC (in general, though obviously this will depend on the firm you end up at).

Bankhead wrote:Calculate all the costs. You might be paying as much for Fordham even with the scholarship with COL. Maybe not though -- I know nothing about LA.

I would say they would both give you about the same shot at biglaw. One thing you should note is that the biglaw lifestyle is more laid back (less hours; less pressure) in CA than in NYC (in general, though obviously this will depend on the firm you end up at).

USC gives you a significantly better chance at biglaw.

JCougar wrote:USC gives you a significantly better chance at biglaw.

Why is the case? I know this data is little dated (http://pdfserver.amlaw.com/nlj/composite.pdf), but it seems to indicate the opposite. Also, doesn't the fact that CA's economy is tanking also give Fordham an edge?

bk187 wrote:

JCougar wrote:USC gives you a significantly better chance at biglaw.

Why is the case? I know this data is little dated (http://pdfserver.amlaw.com/nlj/composite.pdf), but it seems to indicate the opposite. Also, doesn't the fact that CA's economy is tanking also give Fordham an edge?

It is the case because your data is a little dated. Here are the latest statistics:

http://pdfserver.amlaw.com/nlj/law%20sc ... page12.pdf

USC c/o 2009 into biglaw: 41.3%
Fordham c/o 2009 into biglaw: 29.4%

That's a 12% difference. If you include clerkship placement, USC = money if you are above median; at Fordham, it probably takes top third.

Of course this is all in regard to c/o 2009, which was mostly before ITE. So take from it what you will.

Also, Fordham COL works to cancel out some of the scholarship.

JCougar wrote:

bk187 wrote:

JCougar wrote:USC gives you a significantly better chance at biglaw.

Why is the case? I know this data is little dated (http://pdfserver.amlaw.com/nlj/composite.pdf), but it seems to indicate the opposite. Also, doesn't the fact that CA's economy is tanking also give Fordham an edge?

It is the case because your data is a little dated. Here are the latest statistics:

http://pdfserver.amlaw.com/nlj/law%20sc ... page12.pdf

USC c/o 2009 into biglaw: 41.3%
Fordham c/o 2009 into biglaw: 29.4%

That's a 12% difference. If you include clerkship placement, USC = money if you are above median; at Fordham, it probably takes top third.

Of course this is all in regard to c/o 2009, which was mostly before ITE. So take from it what you will.

Also, Fordham COL works to cancel out some of the scholarship.

I considered checking the NLJ go-to data before posting but I thought that it was similar. Yeah, after looking at that it seems like USC is the definite choice.

bk187 wrote:

JCougar wrote:

bk187 wrote:

JCougar wrote:USC gives you a significantly better chance at biglaw.

Why is the case? I know this data is little dated (http://pdfserver.amlaw.com/nlj/composite.pdf), but it seems to indicate the opposite. Also, doesn't the fact that CA's economy is tanking also give Fordham an edge?

It is the case because your data is a little dated. Here are the latest statistics:

http://pdfserver.amlaw.com/nlj/law%20sc ... page12.pdf

USC c/o 2009 into biglaw: 41.3%
Fordham c/o 2009 into biglaw: 29.4%

That's a 12% difference. If you include clerkship placement, USC = money if you are above median; at Fordham, it probably takes top third.

Of course this is all in regard to c/o 2009, which was mostly before ITE. So take from it what you will.

Also, Fordham COL works to cancel out some of the scholarship.

I considered checking the NLJ go-to data before posting but I thought that it was similar. Yeah, after looking at that it seems like USC is the definite choice.

Of course, even my data is dated, too. No one has any clue what effect ITE has had on either school. Still, if I were a gambling man, I'd gamble on USC.

Personally, I'd pick USC.

Hopefullawstudent wrote:Personally, I'd pick USC.

+1, but I hate NYC

USC. Hotter girls, nicer weather.

Your choice mostly really does come down to location/weather. For me, I would choose the sun!

Put deposit down on USC so hopefully its a decision I dont regret!

Hopefullawstudent wrote:Personally, I'd pick USC.

I would too. And it looks like the OP did .