Top Law Schools

Hey TSL,

So, I'm in the process of applying, and know that I'm applying to UMinn, UIowa, and St. Thomas, considering applying to WM too. Iowa is my home state, so I'm applying there just because it's a Tier 1 school that will almost definitely let me in, and tuition will be lowest if no scholarships are awarded.

That being said, I'm really set on the Twin Cities. It is where I want to practice and live once I receive my J.D. It's the perfect distance from my family (close, but not too close), a big enough city that there are things to do, and my girlfriend has a lot of ties there.

Now, when it comes down to picking what school I'll go to, can anyone compare and contrast these 3 schools for me? I'm pretty confident that I will be accepted at St Thomas and WM, with high hopes for UM (I have a pretty good addendum for my GPA). Assuming I can get into all three of them, would UM be worth the higher price? What are job prospects like for the 3?

Thank you for your help!

chrisbru wrote:Hey TSL,

So, I'm in the process of applying, and know that I'm applying to UMinn, UIowa, and St. Thomas, considering applying to WM too. Iowa is my home state, so I'm applying there just because it's a Tier 1 school that will almost definitely let me in, and tuition will be lowest if no scholarships are awarded.

That being said, I'm really set on the Twin Cities. It is where I want to practice and live once I receive my J.D. It's the perfect distance from my family (close, but not too close), a big enough city that there are things to do, and my girlfriend has a lot of ties there.

Now, when it comes down to picking what school I'll go to, can anyone compare and contrast these 3 schools for me? I'm pretty confident that I will be accepted at St Thomas and WM, with high hopes for UM (I have a pretty good addendum for my GPA). Assuming I can get into all three of them, would UM be worth the higher price? What are job prospects like for the 3?

Thank you for your help!

I was under the impression that WM has a lot of pull in the Twin Cities.

More so than U of M? I've heard mixed reviews of the program... Such as WM is really good for part-time law, or older students, but it tends to put strains on younger students.

BTW, I'm 23, went to Iowa State for an undergrad in finance, and currently work for The Boeing Company as a financial analyst in Seattle, WA.

You'll get into Minnesota, but with the economy the way it is, I'd stay at your current job, at least for a while.

I appreciate the advice on my career choices, but I wasn't really looking for it.

Cheers.

I would definitely go to either UMinn or WM and not Iowa. I have a lawyer-friend who lives in Minneapolis and is currently trying to find a job but she's not having much luck because her JD is not from a Minnesota school. Her school is ranked higher than WM or St. Thomas but those graduates are more likely to get hired than her because the employers know the Minnesota schools.

I would also pick UMinn over WM or St. Thomas, but that's just because of rankings. I would think UMinn grads would probably have the best employment options throughout the Twin Cities.

Although, UMinn's stupid laptop policy bugs me.

Uminn is the obvious choice here. You will get in, but with that GPA probably no money.

Minnesota for sure. If you were to look at one of the other three schools in the Twin Cities I would encourage William Mitchell over Hamline or St. Thomas, all else being equal. WM has a solid local reputation.

You'll get in.

Lonagan wrote:Minnesota for sure. If you were to look at one of the other three schools in the Twin Cities I would encourage William Mitchell over Hamline or St. Thomas, all else being equal. WM has a solid local reputation.

You'll get in.

BUT Minnesota over all the rest its a good school, with good placement there. This shouldnt even be a question. Uminn!!

Sounds like UMinn is the best choice... Now I just have to get in (and figure out a way to pay for it...)

So, side question: Should I go St. Thomas/WM over University of Iowa if I want to end up in Minneapolis then?

Thanks everyone for your help!

chrisbru wrote:Sounds like UMinn is the best choice... Now I just have to get in (and figure out a way to pay for it...)

So, side question: Should I go St. Thomas/WM over University of Iowa if I want to end up in Minneapolis then?

Thanks everyone for your help!

I believe that WM is the obvious 2nd choice here. I hear them and UMinn dominate the Twin Cities market.

UMinn>WM>St. Thomas>Iowa

OP, I would suggest reading up on how UMinn is approaching its law students:

http://abovethelaw.com/2010/10/13-tuiti ... -students/

jt1341 wrote:Uminn is the obvious choice here. You will get in, but with that GPA probably no money.

I had similar numbers and got 16K/year out of state.

Glad to hear that aid is still a possibility. Thank you for the info everyone!