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This is a hypothetical at this point, but what's the verdict on this one?

JDHopeful wrote:This is a hypothetical at this point, but what's the verdict on this one?

Since they're both regional I guess most would say Widener but I think Penn St is the smarter move. Sure you'll be in a lot of debt but at least you have a good shot at getting a job. Penn St (not just law) has a huge alumni network and they're really loyal. That could get you in the door for interviews and such whereas Widener's prospects are not so good.

If you get a full ride then definitely go to Widener.

Only go to Penn State if you get a significant scholly and are interested in settling down in the Harrisburg/Lancaster/York corridor. If you want to work in Philly, you're much better off going to Temple... even at (in-state) sticker (provided you have no debt and are comfortable with the risks involved).

Verdict: Your honor, we find the defendant guilty of FLAME!

Widener has terrible job prospects, but no debt is hard to turn down. I think it's a toss-up.

johnnyutah wrote:Widener has terrible job prospects, but no debt is hard to turn down. I think it's a toss-up.

This is true. However, look at Widener's attrition rate.....it's upwards of 30%. I would like to know why almost one third of the class leaves? This is something you should consider, esp if your $$ has stipulations. Perhaps their curve is tough and it forces a lot of people out of the program.

DCLaw11 wrote:

johnnyutah wrote:Widener has terrible job prospects, but no debt is hard to turn down. I think it's a toss-up.

This is true. However, look at Widener's attrition rate.....it's upwards of 30%. I would like to know why almost one third of the class leaves? This is something you should consider, esp if your $$ has stipulations. Perhaps their curve is tough and it forces a lot of people out of the program.

I would guess a lot of the attrition is due to transfers to better schools. I applied this cycle and received a full tuition scholly from Widener, contingent on a 3.0 GPA.

Section141 wrote:

DCLaw11 wrote:

johnnyutah wrote:Widener has terrible job prospects, but no debt is hard to turn down. I think it's a toss-up.

This is true. However, look at Widener's attrition rate.....it's upwards of 30%. I would like to know why almost one third of the class leaves? This is something you should consider, esp if your $$ has stipulations. Perhaps their curve is tough and it forces a lot of people out of the program.

I would guess a lot of the attrition is due to transfers to better schools. I applied this cycle and received a full tuition scholly from Widener, contingent on a 3.0 GPA.

Widener --> Temple/Villanova/Rutgers-Camden is relatively common.

Widener has a very tough curve and a lot of people fail out.

tarp wrote:Widener has a very tough curve and a lot of people fail out.

This is what I have heard as well, which is why I brought up the 30% attrition. Why is it that TTT/TTTT schools seem to have the roughest curves?

Why would you waste your time going to Widener?

kk19131 wrote:Why would you waste your time going to Widener?

The OP has a full ride.

EDIT: nm, this is a hypothetical. Your response is credited

I would do Penn State anyway.

Tuition is approximately $33,000.00 (maybe 33,500? Too lazy to look) ... and the cost of living in State College/Carlisle isn't crazy. How big is the loan you're looking to take out if you had to go to Penn State? Would you pay for all of it with loans only?

I can't be sold on Widener. Even at full tuition it's more of a gamble than Penn State. Penn State at least has a niche in Central Pennsylvania, and the prospects of sneaking into Pittsburgh/Philly aren't abysmal; it can be done if you end up towards the top of your class.

And plus, it's Penn State - go to UP, you'll have a better time watching JoePa at Beaver Stadium.

I believe in Penn St's ability to get their grads in position to get jobs but just know that if you're OOS at Penn St, it'll be close to 180k when you include yearly tuition increases. If you got into Penn St and plan to pay sticker, you should consider Pitt and Temple b/c they're at least 20k cheaper and place better.

ran12 wrote:I believe in Penn St's ability to get their grads in position to get jobs but just know that if you're OOS at Penn St, it'll be close to 180k when you include yearly tuition increases. If you got into Penn St and plan to pay sticker, you should consider Pitt and Temple b/c they're at least 20k cheaper and place better.

I'm pretty sure there's no difference between in state and out of state tuition for Dickinson; it's administered as a private law school at a public university.

Depends on the stipulation. Widener actually does a little better than most T4's since it is the only school in Delaware and has little competition(unless you plan to try and get a job up North in Philly). However, if there is a good chance you will lose the scholly after your first year I would have a tough time saying it would be a good choice paying sticker for the last two.

Concept wrote:I would do Penn State anyway.

Tuition is approximately $33,000.00 (maybe 33,500? Too lazy to look) ... and the cost of living in State College/Carlisle isn't crazy. How big is the loan you're looking to take out if you had to go to Penn State? Would you pay for all of it with loans only?

I can't be sold on Widener. Even at full tuition it's more of a gamble than Penn State. Penn State at least has a niche in Central Pennsylvania, and the prospects of sneaking into Pittsburgh/Philly aren't abysmal; it can be done if you end up towards the top of your class.

And plus, it's Penn State - go to UP, you'll have a better time watching JoePa at Beaver Stadium.

Both are huge gambles, but paying sticker for Penn State is just plain foolish.

HeavenWood wrote:Only go to Penn State if you get a significant scholly and are interested in settling down in the Harrisburg/Lancaster/York corridor. If you want to work in Philly, you're much better off going to Temple... even at (in-state) sticker (provided you have no debt and are comfortable with the risks involved).

Definitely Temple over the other two, especially in-state. Temple and Nova pretty much run the philly area, PSU not so much.