Atlanta John Marshall Law School Versus Mercer Law School Forum

[g-children]

Hi,

I live in Atlanta, I applied to all 4 GA Law Schools. I am married and we just bought a house in GA last year so I really am not thinking about relocating. Anyway, earlier this year I decided to go to law school. I took the LSAT in Feb and applied really late to schools. I got waitlisted at UGA and GA State. Accepted at Mercer and Still waiting on John Marshall. My LSAT wasnt too great, so I dont know if I will be admitted from the WL at UGA.

So my question is if I get into JMLS...which is a better option JMLS VS Mercer? Both crappy schools and I am not excited at all. But I really have to do something with my life and very reluctant to wait another year.

I really regret wasting so much time and doing all this at the last minute and I think my indecision is costing me too much.

My other problem is having to relocate to Macon to attend Mercer and leave my husband and my new house. Mercer is a 2 hr drive from my house one way. I have also considered commuting to Macon, I know it sounds crazy...

I am confused, what do I do?

I did not get any scholarships at Mercer and that $52k a year debt is killing me everyday. I hope I get into UGA and that way, its a closer drive from my house -45 minutes. And also cheaper and better.

[Grizz]

Do NOT go to either. I know you don't want to wait a year, but too bad, you have to suck it up, retake, and get into UGA if you want a decent shot at a good job/avoiding debt slavery. Both Mercer and JMU are






I implore you not to go.

[trialjunky]

ibt shit show

[deadpanic]

I would only go to Mercer if they gave you lots of scholarship $. At sticker, it is a horrible investment.

If you made the WL at UGA, you may have a decent shot if you apply early next year, as in September. Same goes for GA State. Good luck and don't go to Mercer or JMU.

[Aberzombie1892]

Hi,

I live in Atlanta, I applied to all 4 GA Law Schools.

Georgia has more than four law schools.

On the important topic, I would suggest waiting a year. Attending lower tier law schools in markets with higher tier schools is generally a bad idea. This is compounded if the market attracts other higher tier graduates (like Atlanta does). If you were facing a worst case scenario, I would say Georgia State.

To be completely honest with you, I'm even attending an on-site Atlanta interview program hosted by Tulane University and Washington University of St. Louis.

[nickwar]

It's going to sound rough but DO NOT GO TO EITHER.

Attending either at sticker, in any market, is throwing away $150k in debt. In this market it is probably the worst financial decision anyone can make.

Do not put yourself/marriage under $150-200k in debt for a degree worth next to nothing in this market. Ask yourself if you truly have a grasp on exactly how much money that is. A lot of people don't. Putting that kind of money into a Mercer/AJML degree is a life-changing mistake.

Do not kid yourself into thinking you will be able to transfer out -- it is a rare breed that intends to transfer and actually gets the grades for it. Mercer is a terrible school in a terrible city that is entirely too expensive.

Don't forget your opportunity cost of making money over the three years you're in law school. All signs point to waiting another year and retaking.

[JCougar]

How can I put this nicely?

Mercer @ sticker = financial suicide. Take a year off and retake; it will be well worth it for GSU.

[savagecheater]

Hi,

I live in Atlanta, I applied to all 4 GA Law Schools. I am married and we just bought a house in GA last year so I really am not thinking about relocating. Anyway, earlier this year I decided to go to law school. I took the LSAT in Feb and applied really late to schools. I got waitlisted at UGA and GA State. Accepted at Mercer and Still waiting on John Marshall. My LSAT wasnt too great, so I dont know if I will be admitted from the WL at UGA.

So my question is if I get into JMLS...which is a better option JMLS VS Mercer? Both crappy schools and I am not excited at all. But I really have to do something with my life and very reluctant to wait another year.

I really regret wasting so much time and doing all this at the last minute and I think my indecision is costing me too much.

My other problem is having to relocate to Macon to attend Mercer and leave my husband and my new house. Mercer is a 2 hr drive from my house one way. I have also considered commuting to Macon, I know it sounds crazy...

I am confused, what do I do?

I did not get any scholarships at Mercer and that $52k a year debt is killing me everyday. I hope I get into UGA and that way, its a closer drive from my house -45 minutes. And also cheaper and better.

I'm going to dissect your post, piece and piece, and try and make some things more clear to you.

The schools you were accepted to are, in your own words, crappy, and you're not excited. So why go? You'll spend a lot of money to be miserable for three years? Who in their right mind would do such a thing?

"But I really have to do something with my life" - What part of spending ~$150,000+ and three years of your life to gain no meaningful marketability in the job market is 'doing something' with your life? Do you want to be a lawyer so you can say you're a lawyer? I'm not quite sure that's the right reason, but ok. If it's because you want to have a better income, these schools are terrible financial choices, and will in no way enhance your income. So, you should figure out why you want to attend law school, and realize that if it's for interesting work or a financial boost you should probably re-evaluate your decision.

If you can get into UGA, then that's much better, and that's a different discussion. But do not spend so much money for so very little. I genuinely hope you can get into UGA, but don't neglect your husband and your sanity for these two schools.

[84Sunbird2000]

I visited Mercer (but with a full ride and living expenses) and I was actually very, very impressed by the school, at least as far as the intellectual curiosity of the students and the passion of the instructors.

BUT, at sticker it is a bad investment. They place very well into public interest and government, and are probably as good or better than their rank overall. They get a ton of federal clerkships (5% per year) for a school of their reputation, and King&Spalding loves the top 10% of the class. But, at around 140k debt, it's just....not a good idea.

Retake and re-apply. If you get a full ride to Mercer, it's a solid school for Georgia - they place almost none of their class into Business & Industry in a given year (4% the last time I checked), so the shot at SOME kind of law job is very good. Georgia State is cheap, though, and a good school as well. But, if you retake and do well, definitely shoot for UGA not just GA St.. Just study your ass off this summer and take it in September.

[g-children]

Hi,

I live in Atlanta, I applied to all 4 GA Law Schools.

Georgia has more than four law schools.

Oh yeah, thats true! I did not even consider Emory, because I have less than a negative percent chance of getting in to Emory!

[g-children]

Do NOT go to either. I know you don't want to wait a year, but too bad, you have to suck it up, retake, and get into UGA if you want a decent shot at a good job/avoiding debt slavery. I implore you not to go.

BUT, at sticker it is a bad investment. They place very well into public interest and government, and are probably as good or better than their rank overall. They get a ton of federal clerkships (5% per year) for a school of their reputation, and King&Spalding loves the top 10% of the class. But, at around 140k debt, it's just....not a good idea.
Retake and re-apply.

It's going to sound rough but DO NOT GO TO EITHER.

Wow, you guys are a tough crowd, you are all right though. It is a really bad decision and sounds so damn desperate (which I am).

If you can get into UGA, then that's much better, and that's a different discussion. But do not spend so much money for so very little. I genuinely hope you can get into UGA, but don't neglect your husband and your sanity for these two schools.

But let me ask you this, what if I wanted to open up my own law firm after I graduate? I heard most times, it doesnt matter where you school if you decide to have your own office? Is that just being completely unrealistic? Am I missing something?

[Grizz]

But let me ask you this, what if I wanted to open up my own law firm after I graduate? I heard most times, it doesnt matter where you school if you decide to have your own office? Is that just being completely unrealistic? Am I missing something?

Terrible idea. Where are you going to get the capital for a secretary, paralegal, bizhub, computers, etc.? Also, who is going to hire you? Unless you know a lot of people in the legal field who can throw you cases to build up your reputation, you're nobody. Also, with legalzoom.com people are figuring out that they can do simple stuff by themselves for cheaper. Assuming you do get a case, law school teaches you nothing about how to practice law. Have fun risking a malpractice suit. Finally, running a solo is really 3/4 running a small business and 1/4 law. Unless you have actual business acumen, you're setting yourself up for failure. 90% of small businesses fail, IIRC.

I work for a solo practice and a partnership. The guy I know who is a solo has tremendous business sense, and he was a public defender before opening up his own practice. Plus, he has a lot of friends who can throw work his way. For the partnership, it's the same deal. Did something else first, then went by themselves. Going solo right out of school is setting yourself up for failure.

[CanadianWolf]

Many of the most successful attorneys in Atlanta attended & graduated from John Marshall, but those days are long gone. Mercer in Macon, Georgia is a different breed. At one time it was very incestuous with respect to employment opportunities, and it still may be if you are willing to work in middle or southern Georgia. Mercer is a fine law school if you intend to go into solo practice or work as an associate in a small, non-Atlanta law firm. Also, if you graduate in the top 20% of your class, the federal government has a lot of great job opportunities. Mercer is often used by law students as a starting point for those who do well in their first year of law school to then transfer to the Univ. of Georgia School of Law.

[Grizz]

Mercer is often used by law students as a starting point for those who do well in their first year of law school to then transfer to the Univ. of Georgia School of Law.

Don't go to Mercer intending to do this. Chances are, you won't have the grades to.

[CanadianWolf]

Top 25%.

[Grizz]

Top 25%.

75% chance you won't be.

[CanadianWolf]

Math major?

[JCougar]

Top 25%.

So chances are you won't?

Got it.

[CanadianWolf]

Doesn't matter if you want to open up your own practice. Mercer's bar passage rate is above the state average. The most troubling aspect, however, is your commute time; it is not reasonable. Also, many families & attorneys are very content living & working in middle & southern Georgia. Great law school if you want to be a local judge or would like to practice in the Florida panhandle.
If you attend Mercer, consider moving to Fayetteville.

[JCougar]

Doesn't matter if you want to open up your own practice. Mercer's bar passage rate is above the state average. The most troubling aspect, however, is your commute time; it is not reasonable. Also, many families & attorneys are very content living & working in middle & southern Georgia. Great law school if you want to be a local judge.

LOL. We were talking about prospects of transferring, not about starting your own firm. So it DOES matter.

[CanadianWolf]

@JCougar: LOL: Read the original poster's last post. LMFAO!

[JCougar]

@JCougar: LOL: Read the original poster's last post. LMFAO!

I give up.

[g-children]

Thanks everyone!!

[Grizz]

Thanks everyone!!

What did you decide?

[sc24evr]

sucks to be me I guess, starting JMLS in the fall. I'm looking forward to it though, even with the reputation.