Emory ($) vs. Alabama ($$$) Forum

[WSpar]

Anybody have any advice? I'm from Texas, but wouldn't mind ending up in either Alabama or Georgia. I was set on attending Emory until Alabama finally got back to me recently. Help please.

[World B. Free]

first one to vote , voted E

[WSpar]

Also, if it matters, I have an electrical engineering background and I'm planning on taking the patent law route.

[merichard87]

Emory's TI;GER program is pretty nice and it will give you mobility throughout the southeast. Its simply a better investment.

[trkmantis2]

Emory has better placement. Anecdotal, but I know 3 unemployed UA grads still struggling to find work in Alabama.

Atlanta's a bigger legal market than Birmingham. So I'd recommend you pick Emory and focus on GA.

[Barolo]

And beyond GA, Emory offers modestly better portability. I know people harp on the distinction between regional and national, yet I think it is more of a continuum. Money is appealing, but with Alabama you're more likely than not relegated to Alabama; whereas with Emory, you're more likely than not going to be somewhere other than Georgia.

[rando]

Emory also does pretty well in Alabama, UA's main market, while UA doesn't place in ATL at all.

As someone mentioned, the tiger program is pretty well known. anecdotally, I know several IP focused individuals who did very well this past OCI. Obviously grades were a factor, but from what I understand you don't have to do quite as well to get into IP, especially having taken the patent bar.

[Grizz]

Go to Emory. Better mobility.

[Dany]

I have been an undergrad at Alabama for three years, and my vote wholeheartedly goes to Emory. Atlanta > Tuscaloosa (it's not even close), Emory's placement/reputation > Alabama's, and I think of the two, there's more potential for you to regret going to Alabama.

Good luck in your decision!

[trademark]

It all depends on what your priorities are. If you are set on going to the best law school regardless, then go to Emory. However, if it is important to you to graduate with less debt (think about the fact that Tuscaloosa cost of living is far less than ATL), then Alabama would be the right choice. With this economy, taking on the kind of debt that it takes to go to law school is a pretty big undertaking. Also probably depends a bit on what type of law you want to practice/if you aspire to a high powered legal career. Are you positive you want to be a lawyer, or are you coming from undergrad and just going to law school? If you aren't committed to being a hardcore lawyer 100% then I'd go with less debt.