Top Law Schools

The thing is, I love U of Colorado. I want to go into environmental law and love the outdoors. Would it be stupid to go to Colorado when I'm not sure I want to work in Colorado and I have a 172?

Here's the list I'm thinking about applying to:

Stanford (pipe dream)
Mich
UVA
Georgetown
Texas
Vandy
UNC
UW
Colorado

Any insights?

I have good letters, 2 years work experience, a year of community service, top ten liberal arts college...

Yes, it would be a bad decision.

Your career goals may change during law school, and your numbers might get you some money at some highly ranked schools. Why not see what schools give you? I think you are in at MV, a lock at GULC on down with the exception of maybe Texas, with a chance at B if you want the Bay Area and an environmental focus.

If you do apply to Colorado, make sure they know how interested you are in them-they might WL you for yield protection purposes.

If you're not sure you want to work in Colorado, the yeah, it's probably a bad call. If you just absolutely have to go there, you had better go on a full ride or you're wasting your money.

If you get a full ride there, then probably not. Otherwise, I would find this to be a poor decision.

I guess I knew people would say this. Damn. I suppose UVA has the Blue Ridge mountains right there...

whitman wrote:I guess I knew people would say this. Damn. I suppose UVA has the Blue Ridge mountains right there...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TefT3ttd ... re=related

What everyone else said.

Don't let something relatively minor have that much of an impact on your future. I'd go to law school in Africa if it gave me significantly better career prospects than any school I got into.

Honestly there is no shame in going to Boulder if you come out in no debt, just make sure you go with a full scholly. While this forum is obviously tilted toward T14 or bust individuals, 150k in debt is not for everyone, and if I could go to a T1 dream school for free I would consider it too.

whitman wrote:I guess I knew people would say this. Damn. I suppose UVA has the Blue Ridge mountains right there...

For what it is worth, the Blue Ridge Mountains do not look anything like mountains that are found in Colorado.

Yes, it is true that law school is a large investment. Yet your quality of life needs to be taken into consideration. Would you be healthy and more relaxed in Boulder then in your other option? What impact (honestly) would you suspect that this would have on your concentration and overall performance as a student? If the impact would be significant, then this is something that you should factor into your choice.

I know that TLS loves the ranking structure, but from the outside looking in the law school at Boulder looks to be a very good law school, and I see no reason that you should not give it real consideration. Your numbers are on the higher side for this school, but this might increase your chance for favorable financial assistance, which could be a real sweetener. Now the area around UVA is nice, but it is not the same. If you have some interest, I would recommend making the trip out and taking it in for yourself. Try to give yourself some extra time on the trip to briefly take in some of the surrounding area, and ask yourself if you can feel at home here in Virginia for a few years.

Happy Hunting,

whitman wrote:I guess I knew people would say this. Damn. I suppose UVA has the Blue Ridge mountains right there...

I have lived in Charlottesville and went to Colorado twice a year for my entire childhood and can tell you that the scenery is 100% different. Honestly at U.Va you will forget that you are in the mountains within a week, whereas at Colorado I would say that is impossible

Colorado wouldn't be a bad decision if you can get some aid money and are 100% sure you want to practice in Colorado. Colorado is an extremely insular market and tends not to give much credence to top schools.

2014 wrote:

whitman wrote:I guess I knew people would say this. Damn. I suppose UVA has the Blue Ridge mountains right there...

I have lived in Charlottesville and went to Colorado twice a year for my entire childhood and can tell you that the scenery is 100% different. Honestly at U.Va you will forget that you are in the mountains within a week, whereas at Colorado I would say that is impossible

Charlottesville is in the mountains?

nealric wrote:Colorado wouldn't be a bad decision if you can get some aid money and are 100% sure you want to practice in Colorado. Colorado is an extremely insular market and tends not to give much credence to top schools.

That's what leads me to tell OP it might not be the best call:

whitman wrote:Would it be stupid to go to Colorado when I'm not sure I want to work in Colorado

Colorado IS an insular market as nealric points out and a degree from UC Boulder will sell pretty well there. However, UC Boulder also has a very good reputation here in N.Mex., in Arizona, and I would assume Wyoming, Utah, Montana, basically everywhere in the Rocky Mountain West. I point this out because there's actually work for new lawyers out here.

Personally, I'd go to Boulder without a backward glance but I'm a Westerner born and bred and have never wanted to live east of the Great Plains so that's just me. I'd probably do Denver U. if they gave me a 100% scholarship rather than pay to go anywhere on the East Coast.

OP, don't waste a 3.49 and 172. You can ED to UVA, Michigan, Gtown, any schools in that range and have a very good shot of admit. Go for those.

Apply to all law schools that interest you, then decide among your acceptances. If money is a strong consideration, then Colorado may be a great option. More considerations will arise based on your acceptances/rejections & financial offers. Currently almost every poster will recommend a Top 14 law school over Colorado, but advice may vary with a full tuition scholarship to Colorado versus full pay at Cornell, Georgetown or another Top 14.

if you get a full ride at Colorado, it'll be hard to turn that down.

personally if i get a full ride at Colorado i would take it. graduating law school with no debt will make things a lot easier.