Mercer or Arkansas-Little Rock? Forum

[mavregade]

So the best offers I have on the table right now are Mercer ($25k/year) and UALR-Bowen (in state tuition plus $8K a year) meaning these two cost about the same. I visited Mercer and liked it, but I am from Georgia and am kind of tired of it. Does anyone know about Little Rock? Macon (where Mercer is located) is not impressive.

[You Gotta Have Faith]

Here's the thing...

You may be tired of Georgia, but how much do you like Arkansas? UALR is not in the same boat as UA-Fayetteville. UALR places a lot of their graduates in Arkansas, and I mean a LOT. Remember that this school is not only located in the heart of Arkansas, but it also states that the "Why UALR essay" can be particularly useful for those who are not from the state of Arkansas. In short, the school embraces its regional stronghold. If you hope to ever leave the state of Arkansas, you will have a thin network of alumni who are outside the state. Granted, there is a network outside of Arkansas, but it's not as large.

Obviously it is possible to leave Arkansas from UALR, or Georgia from Mercer, but there might be a little more footwork involved, as with anything and with most other schools.

Now to actually discuss your question... I have been to both cities. Little Rock does have more to do than Macon which, as you point out, doesn't have a whole lot going on. But by the same token, Little Rock is not huge city but is the largest one within a big geographic area. Whereas with Macon, Atlanta is only an hour drive away if you feel so inclined. As far as what Little Rock is actually like to live in, I'll leave that to others. All I can say is it is a good mid-sized city. And there should be things to do, if you get bored.

As an aside which might be helpful for others answering the question, how much does each respective school actually cost? Like, what does $25K/year leave you paying at Mercer, and what is in-state tuition plus $8K at UALR?

Have you visited both schools? If so, which one did you feel better about. If not, would it be financially feasible to do so?

[mavregade]

Ok so I would end up paying about $13K at both schools with those offers, before other parts of the cost of attendance. I don't think either school has a high cost of living. I don't particularly DISLIKE Arkansas, but then again I've never been there.

I wonder if there is any way I can get either school to give me just a bit more than the other. Probably not. (My stats are a 162/3.46)

[You Gotta Have Faith]

Probably not. (My stats are a 162/3.46)

This might sound weird, but did you apply to very many places? Your LSAT is far above the median at both of these schools. I'm sure you could get into a number of places that are a little more competitive (did you even try for UA-Fayetteville btw?). There are several T2 schools that would want you just for your LSAT.

However, if you're aiming for low debt, that's very understandable. I think you might be able to negotiate more, as you never really know until you ask. For whatever it's worth, I went 2 for 3 in asking for money when I was applying to law schools.

If you just wanna get out of GA, then I suppose there is some merit to that. But I would at least try to visit UALR if you can afford to do so. If it's not too late to apply, you might try to throw UA-Fayetteville into the mix too (with a visit as well).

Edit: spelling.

[CanadianWolf]

With a 162/3.46 you should have done much better. You could have received major money at Stetson while living in paradise, for example. Pepperdine & SMU are also options.

[Grizz]

You could have received major money at Stetson while living in paradise, for example.

If you want a good shot at underemployment afterward.

[CanadianWolf]

Without debt, however. Do you really believe that Mercer or Arkansas-L.R. offer better options ?

[Grizz]

Without debt, however. Do you really believe that Mercer or Arkansas-L.R. offer better options ?

Nope. I'd retake.

[CanadianWolf]

Then OP might get into Emory !

[Grizz]

Then OP might get into Emory !

With a 166, his dream could be a reality!

[mavregade]

Well I am in at Penn St, no scholarship offers yet, and at Miami, but I hear Miami is out of money and I am waiting on Wake, Santa Clara, and UGA. But really I don't want a ton of debt. Would it be worth it to go into debt for Wake or Miami?

[Grizz]

Well I am in at Penn St, no scholarship offers yet, and at Miami, but I hear Miami is out of money and I am waiting on Wake, Santa Clara, and UGA. But really I don't want a ton of debt. Would it be worth it to go into debt for Wake or Miami?

No.

[mavregade]

So I just got a scholarship offer from Penn St for 20 K/year. That's only about 1/2 of their tuition. Should I seriously consider them?