University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Arkansas-Little Rock
Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 4:58 pm
So I have a dilemma...
I've been accepted to the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Arkansas-Little Rock as well as several other T2 and T3 schools. My numbers (157/3.37) match up better with UALR's 75th percentile LSAT (158) and median GPA (3.36) compared to Mizzou's 25th-median LSAT (156-158) and 25th percentile GPA (3.24). I want to practice in Missouri and hopefully open my own practice some day. It would be in the rural area I live where there are not a lot of lawyers. However, I would like to work as a public defender my first few years out of law school. I interned with one this past summer and really enjoyed it. My parents really want me to go to Mizzou because it is six hours closer to home than UALR.
One factor that I have heard is important is networking with people where you want to practice. I know several lawyers around where I want to practice already. My uncle has been a judge around here for 32 years, I know several Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys personally (being from a rural area), and I have been introduced to several lawyers around where I go to college which isn't far from where I live.
I have also heard that law schools teach the law somewhat specifically to the states they are located in. This is supposed to help in passing the bar. I've heard of several people who have successfully passed the bar in states which they did not go to law school so that isn't a big concern for me. Also, I have been told that there may be a national bar within the next three years.
The money issue is what really concerns me and is a big reason why I am having this dilemma. I have been offered a nonresident scholarship and a $12,000 merit scholarship to UALR which would make my first year of law school free, tuition-wise. The merit scholarship is renewable for all three years as long as I keep a GPA in the top 40% of my class. Nonresident tuition can be attained after six months in Arkansas. Mizzou scholarships are not handed out until February-March and I don't expect to get one because of my relatively low numbers. Living expenses in Columbia and Little Rock are pretty comparable so I'm not worried about money as far as living goes. Everyone knows the economy is terrible, law students are having a hard time finding jobs and they are graduating with large amounts of debt. Of course it's hard to say how things will be in three years.
Here are three likely scenarios for three years of law school tuition:
Mizzou: $51,000
UALR (w/o scholarship last two years + residency): $24,000
UALR (w/ scholarship + residency): virtually free
Any input would be appreciated!
I've been accepted to the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Arkansas-Little Rock as well as several other T2 and T3 schools. My numbers (157/3.37) match up better with UALR's 75th percentile LSAT (158) and median GPA (3.36) compared to Mizzou's 25th-median LSAT (156-158) and 25th percentile GPA (3.24). I want to practice in Missouri and hopefully open my own practice some day. It would be in the rural area I live where there are not a lot of lawyers. However, I would like to work as a public defender my first few years out of law school. I interned with one this past summer and really enjoyed it. My parents really want me to go to Mizzou because it is six hours closer to home than UALR.
One factor that I have heard is important is networking with people where you want to practice. I know several lawyers around where I want to practice already. My uncle has been a judge around here for 32 years, I know several Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys personally (being from a rural area), and I have been introduced to several lawyers around where I go to college which isn't far from where I live.
I have also heard that law schools teach the law somewhat specifically to the states they are located in. This is supposed to help in passing the bar. I've heard of several people who have successfully passed the bar in states which they did not go to law school so that isn't a big concern for me. Also, I have been told that there may be a national bar within the next three years.
The money issue is what really concerns me and is a big reason why I am having this dilemma. I have been offered a nonresident scholarship and a $12,000 merit scholarship to UALR which would make my first year of law school free, tuition-wise. The merit scholarship is renewable for all three years as long as I keep a GPA in the top 40% of my class. Nonresident tuition can be attained after six months in Arkansas. Mizzou scholarships are not handed out until February-March and I don't expect to get one because of my relatively low numbers. Living expenses in Columbia and Little Rock are pretty comparable so I'm not worried about money as far as living goes. Everyone knows the economy is terrible, law students are having a hard time finding jobs and they are graduating with large amounts of debt. Of course it's hard to say how things will be in three years.
Here are three likely scenarios for three years of law school tuition:
Mizzou: $51,000
UALR (w/o scholarship last two years + residency): $24,000
UALR (w/ scholarship + residency): virtually free
Any input would be appreciated!