SMU (w/ scholly) a good fall back for UT rejects? Forum

[williemayshayes]

I'll be applying for Fall 2012.

I'm shaping up to be your prototypical splitter, GPA 3.1-3.2, 170+ LSAT (I'm testing around a 170-171 right now, would kill for a 175+). UT Austin is my dream law school, and from the looks of it, they weren't very good to out of staters of my ilk at all. LSN doesn't have any Texas residents with my numbers in 09-10, but in previous cycles they got in (however UT's GPA-whoring seemed a lot less pronounced in those cycles too, FWIW).

Anyway, I'm going to be moving there after I graduate to secure TX residency before applying. Should I get rejected even with in-state residency, is Southern Methodist a good fall back option? I'm assuming I'll get some very good money there with a 170+. I could even take a shot at a transfer into UT, but thats another discussion.

Basically my question is, is SMU with a good scholarship a worthy consolation prize for a UT ding from the standpoint of the quality of education, career prospects, opportunities for clerkships, etc.?

P.s. I am well aware of the multitude of other highly ranked alternatives out there such as UVA/Duke ED, GULC, Georgia ($$), etc...but I'm just putting some feelers out there re: SMU as an option.

[sophia.olive]

What about Houston?

I think SMU for 'free' is a good option.

[merichard87]

SMU and Houston are both great options for their respective cities. Don't expect either school to carry you very far from their home base though.

[kalvano]

UT is obviously the correct choice, if possible, for Texas.

However, you'll get pretty good money from SMU, and it's certainly not a "bad" choice for Texas. You'll have lots of options, though mainly in the D/FW area.

[williemayshayes]

How about the possibility from transferring from a SMU or a UH into UT? It goes without saying that I'll need top 5-10% of my class...but hey, gotta chase the dream.

[sophia.olive]

How about just worrying about the lsat

[williemayshayes]

Goes without saying...just finished another PT. Which means its time for e-hypothesizing.

[TTH]

How about the possibility from transferring from a SMU or a UH into UT? It goes without saying that I'll need top 5-10% of my class...but hey, gotta chase the dream.

Don't make that part of your plan. Go to SMU/UH depending on which market you want and do as well as you can and control your debt.