Top Law Schools

With my stats, I'm looking at NYU or Columbia for environmental law. If I don't get into a T14, I'm looking at Lewis and Clark or U of Washington for one of their environmental programs. I want to work in the Portland area, will going to school elsewhere hurt my chances of getting a job in the market? I've heard Lewis and Clark grads are pretty heavily favored, how would an NYU grad fare? My fiance lived in the area for a few years and would like to go back, but other than that I have no ties in the area. He would be moving a few months before me and would have a job set up for himself, is this a strong enough tie for potential employers? I would be okay if it took me a year or so to find employment after graduation.

If you have stats for Columbia/NYU there is no way you are getting locked out of T14.

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whymeohgodno wrote:If you have stats for Columbia/NYU there is no way you are getting locked out of T14.

/thread

Uh, I don't think that's what she was asking. What are your numbers OP, if you don't mind me asking?

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My stats are 3.87/171. I'm a little unsure about my connections. My fiance lived there for college and plans on moving back out there shortly before my graduation. Will having him out there just a few months earlier be connection enough?

Edit: Thanks for the advice, we can't be sure my fiance will have a job since the market is kind of rough but he will at least be a resident of the city by the time I start looking. Hopefully that would be enough..

Also, would Stanford or Berkeley really give me that much of an advantage over NYU/Columbia?

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showNprove wrote:
3. If not 2, then talk with your fiance about his willingness to possibly live elsewhere. Make sure he understands how important going to a top school is for your employment opportunities. After talking to him, weigh your options in the T10 against your scholarship offers at Washington, Lewis & Clark, and Oregon. In the end, only take one of the latter three if you get a HUGE scholarship. If your fiance doesn't like it, tell him to man up and make some sacrifices. Tell him you'll try to get a job in Portland, but it's no guarantee--but it's better than living in Portland with soul-crushing debt and no job.

Fortunately, I will be lucky enough to graduate without debt and do not necessarily need a super high salary to be happy. I have flexibility if it takes me a while to find a job. Living where I'm happy is most important to me, and Portland is the place we want to live and possibly have a family. I understand it won't be easy--I appreciate your advice.

I guess I would consider Berkeley or Stanford but I have been living in New York for the past five years and would prefer to stay here rather than jump somewhere for three years only to move again. I guess I have some options I need to weigh...

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