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[Fisher33]

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[3ThrowAway99]

What are your numbers and what other schools are you waiting on? Also, where do you ideally want to practice?

[Fisher33]

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[3ThrowAway99]

I think it is kind of a tough call not knowing if you are going to have some other options (e.g. if you get Texas or GULC you should take one of those based on your goals). Unless you want to practice in CA or are very debt adverse I wouldn't take Pepperdine (even then the CA cost of living may be something you want to factor in to your consideration).

[3ThrowAway99]

Oh, and you have good enough numbers that you will have some fairly good options (already do), but you may want to consider a retake with such a strong GPA. If you have already retaken a couple times or have compelling reasons for starting law school in the fall then just disregard this. If not, a 5-6 point increase could be a real game changer for you in terms of the quality of your options. With that GPA if you can increase your LSAT enough the sky is pretty much the limit.

[Fisher33]

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[1ferret!]

The only reason that I would be thinking Pepperdine, is that unbeknown to many people Pepperdine recruits fairly heavily from Texas and many people return there. It would give you a bit more of a leg up in that market vs the other schools but as to the other markets you mentioned I wouldn't think Pepperdine would give you any advantage beyond flexibility borne of less debt. If you would be happy in DC I would say probably GW.

[Fisher33]

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[1ferret!]

Decent. That kind of specialized area will always have its own niche, and IP specific firms recruit through Pepperdine as they do other area schools I am sure, including Loyola which I believe is the location for an annual IP specific career fair, although I am not sure that Loyola has any particular depth in that area. I know Pepperdine offers courses in patent law, I know people currently enduring law and biotech, but I get the impression due to the LA location that the IP at Pepperdine is focused mainly on Copyright as it relates to the motion picture and television industries.
I believe Santa Clara is probably your best bet in California if you KNOW patent is what you want to do, only because IP firms are accustomed to looking there for that kind of talent, and given your numbers they would probably toss a chunk of money at you. I am honestly not sure what advantage the other schools on your list would give you with regard to patent law in particular.

[Fisher33]

k

[JJDancer]

GW sticker (they don't negotiate schollies) + COL in DC is hefty.
I think W&M is your best shot. Try to negotiate with them if possible. Also placed decently in DC.
I don't think you should take Pepperdine, even for free.

Do you have any other backups? Illinois/Minnesota/WUSTL give nice $$ sometimes.

[Danteshek]

Decent. That kind of specialized area will always have its own niche, and IP specific firms recruit through Pepperdine as they do other area schools I am sure, including Loyola which I believe is the location for an annual IP specific career fair, although I am not sure that Loyola has any particular depth in that area. I know Pepperdine offers courses in patent law, I know people currently enduring law and biotech, but I get the impression due to the LA location that the IP at Pepperdine is focused mainly on Copyright as it relates to the motion picture and television industries.
I believe Santa Clara is probably your best bet in California if you KNOW patent is what you want to do, only because IP firms are accustomed to looking there for that kind of talent, and given your numbers they would probably toss a chunk of money at you. I am honestly not sure what advantage the other schools on your list would give you with regard to patent law in particular.

Loyola Chicago.

[1ferret!]

I hear you about the stipulation, although I will say here as I have said elsewhere that those who take the work seriously and apply themselves more often than not keep the scholarship. I think your main concern should be where you want to end up though. Pepperdine for free would be great if you intend to stay in Los Angeles as well as the general flexibility of being able to go wherever you want because of a low debt level.
However, the placement power of GW in DC is going to be better than the placement of Pepperdine in Texas, even if I believe that Pepperdine would be better than the others if Texas were your first choice.
Perhaps what I'm trying to say is that I believe Pepperdine is a superior choice given a narrow set of goals. If your preferences on where you end up are as broad as you say, the others may be a better choice for you i.e, Pepperdine has very little placement power in DC.

danteshek knows better than I do on matters pertaining to Loyola

[Fisher33]

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[bk1]

Redacted at request of OP.

[JJDancer]

I applied to wustl .... Still waiting but would definitely consider it if I got in. I just don't know what the chances are there. It seems they like high LSATs. Yeah the price plus COL for GWU is scary. I like what the school offers as far as IP goes but I wonder if WM would offer similar to, if not equivalent opportunities with lower tuition and COL. Since I'm not from the DC area though, I just have no idea how the reputations of the schools actually compare when looking for jobs in that area.

Not sure about IP for W&M. Probably can't match GW for it though.
I know a few people working in DC from W&M but they are in public interest.

[Danteshek]

I applied to wustl .... Still waiting but would definitely consider it if I got in. I just don't know what the chances are there. It seems they like high LSATs. Yeah the price plus COL for GWU is scary. I like what the school offers as far as IP goes but I wonder if WM would offer similar to, if not equivalent opportunities with lower tuition and COL. Since I'm not from the DC area though, I just have no idea how the reputations of the schools actually compare when looking for jobs in that area.

Dude, just flip a coin. All are good options. I see WM as the compromise option, that will give you access to DC but not cost you an arm and a leg (lower COL than DC). If you are debt averse go to Pepperdine. If not, GW.

[bk1]

Redacted at request of OP.

[Fisher33]

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[fatduck]

All are good options.

I wholly disagree with this. Having a 2/3 chance of paying sticker for 2 years at Pepperdine sounds absolutely atrocious.

this. top third stipulation is bullshit.

[Fisher33]

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[Fisher33]

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[bk1]

Redacted at request of OP.

[Fisher33]

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[1ferret!]

California's economy is awful. Los Angeles' economy is awful. It sucks for students all around as well as for recent graduates. That said, although students in general are taking a beating, the number of students from Pepperdine getting looks from large firms seems to actually be on the rise. I know that is not necessarily pertinent to your particular situation as I honestly don't know what firms you are targeting.
Anecdotal: The only two people who I know personally with hard science backgrounds that had at least at some point talked to me about their interest in pursuing IP.... one is doing an SA with Latham having turned down Akin, and the other is dead set on setting up his own practice and is spending his summer at a small firm.