Top Law Schools

I haven't gotten any FinAid information on any of the schools, so assume all schools at sticker price.

Pros for BLS:
-I have lots of alma mater ties in NYC. I lived there for five years.
-I like the clinical program and externship options (esp. judicial clerkships in the 2nd Circuit and SDNY, and opportunities with the DA and US Atty)
-My friend is a 2L there and loves it. He has also secured summer employment with a V25 firm.
-NYC is the largest legal market.
-If I can transfer, I'd be happy to transfer to Columbia or NYU without having to relocate.

Cons for BLS:
-expensive
-competition from other T14 and NYC schools.
-LRAP not so good.
-Unsure about its reputation for clerkships (a federal clerkship is ultimately my goal, but I know it probably won't happen right away.)

Pros for Temple and Villanova:
-Urban(ish) location.
-Cheaper tuition for Temple.
-Strong reputations in Philly.
- If I could transfer, I would transfer to UPenn without having to relocate.

Cons:
- Limited regional reach.
- Unfamiliar with Philly as a city.
- Smaller city compared to NYC.
- Clinical programs are so-so (Villanova had one for farmworkers..).
- Clerkship program for Temple seems super competitive.

Right now I'm leaning towards Brooklyn, but can anybody else provide more insight? I'm not aiming for Big Law, but I would like to clerk for a federal judge at some point. Thanks.

P.S. and please don't reply with "retake", thanks.

Do you know what type of law/ where you want to be for certain when you graduate? I think Villanova would be a big mistake at sticker and even with a scholarship. Brookyln has a strong alumni base, but like you said is competing with 5 higher ranked ny schools (nyu, columbia, fordham, cornell, cardozo) so that definitely makes it tough competition. If you are not sure where you want to be, I'd say Temple. It is cheap ( i think you can establish residency after your 1L year and even if not is still at least 10k cheaper than the other two I would imagine) and highly respected in the Philly area. Other than Penn - and most of their grads don't actually stay in Philly- I think it is the best school in the city. This is especially true now that Villanova has taken a hit with the recent scandal. I think of the three you will probably get the best job out of Temple, but there is an almost 100% chance that the job will be in Philly which may be an issue if you know you want NY. So if you are totally set on NY, go to Brookyln and if you are not set on it then definitely Temple. Obviously if you get merit or need aid at one school and not the others that is a consideration.

Brooklyn is competing not only with the five higher ranked New York schools but also with the rest of the T14, GW, BU, BC, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, WashU, etc. While I'm glad your friend landed a summer job at a V25 firm, be careful not to base too much of your decision on his experience. Overall, the employment outlook for Brooklyn grads is grim.

Also, the chance you'll be able to clerk for an Article III judge from any of these schools is very slim. I realize that's not what you want to hear, but I promise it's the truth.

If you're dead set on going to one of these three schools, pick the cheapest one. I imagine that's Temple.

Temple is the strongest school in terms of strictly employment. If you really wouldn't mind living in and practicing in Philly I take Temple easily here.

Philadelphia is nothing like NYC. I think Temple is your best option, both in terms of employment prospects and cost, but it's not a slam dunk choice. Visit both.