Top Law Schools

I am having a really tough time deciding on my list for applications (I'm still around 20 schools). The big issue for me is that I can expect just about no contributions from my family and will have about 60K in loans from undergrad. Should I be applying to T2 schools where I may be competitive for large scholarships but potentially have lowered employment prospects (would they really be that lowered, though?) or should I focus on schools where I would be around the median and take out more loans? I really don't see myself doing Biglaw. I would not be against starting as a public defender/prosecutor, depending on where I see myself by the end of law school. So I'll put it out there, should I go for the chance at higher scholarships and lower prestige or more loans and higher rankings?

Thanks TLS

ZachOda wrote:I am having a really tough time deciding on my list for applications (I'm still around 20 schools). The big issue for me is that I can expect just about no contributions from my family and will have about 60K in loans from undergrad. Should I be applying to T2 schools where I may be competitive for large scholarships but potentially have lowered employment prospects (would they really be that lowered, though?) or should I focus on schools where I would be around the median and take out more loans? I really don't see myself doing Biglaw. I would not be against starting as a public defender/prosecutor, depending on where I see myself by the end of law school. So I'll put it out there, should I go for the chance at higher scholarships and lower prestige or more loans and higher rankings?

Thanks TLS

I took the money. But, I also chose a highly respected regional school in the region I want to practice. I think that's the key.

With 60K in undergrad loans, and 3 years of sticker price at a high ranked school, you could be 260K in debt, which sounds unimaginably bad. And without a biglaw salary, how could you ever expect to pay that off and make a living for yourself? If you were to go for "prestige" it would need to be so high a level of school (i.e. HYS) that it is worth putting yourself a quarter-million bucks in the hole. If you aren't talking about such elite schools, then absolutely 100% go for the money in a region you are comfortable practicing in.

dakatz wrote:With 60K in undergrad loans, and 3 years of sticker price at a high ranked school, you could be 260K in debt, which sounds unimaginably bad. And without a biglaw salary, how could you ever expect to pay that off and make a living for yourself? If you were to go for "prestige" it would need to be so high a level of school (i.e. HYS) that it is worth putting yourself a quarter-million bucks in the hole. If you aren't talking about such elite schools, then absolutely 100% go for the money in a region you are comfortable practicing in.

TITCR. If HYS is not attainable, do what MBW did and go to respected regional school that offers you $$$.

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Thanks for the advice everyone.

VanWinkle, great post, made me laugh. Also reminded me that I haven't seen that movie in awhile, it was pretty good, too.