Davis/Hastings v. W&M/W&L tag-team.
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 5:43 pm
First, a little about myself. I want to go to a law school that will eventually get me a very good life. Biglaw is not necessarily what I want at this moment, but I do not want to rule it out. However, I see myself happy at a mid-size firm (making a decent salary) and having time for family. I grew up in LA and I am very comfortable in a big city (even if it is a sprawl). If i moved to a very small town, it might be a little difficult to adjust.
My top two targeted markets are California and then DC with a little more preference for CA, but only marginally. Davis/Hastings both feed into the California market and are remarkably similar, even if the US News rankings says otherwise. W&M/W&L are very similar as well and both feed into DC and Virginia. I have no intention of working in the South, however. If i go to W&M/W&L...it's going to be DC or bust. I'm not sure if that would be a risky move.
These are the offers I have gotten, and some notes:
Davis (have not received any yet, just got accepted)
Pros: SO currently works in Sacramento--we told each other that we will not make decision based on what we will do, but being near her would be a BIG plus; close to CA govnt jobs; good faculty and community...but have access to major cities with a short drive
Cons: The cost of attendance, though I am anticipating at least some merit or need-based aid.
Hastings (have not received any yet, just got accepted)
Pros: City, SANFRAN; Good Program; Really close to the actions; won't have to move in the summer for internships/jobs.
Cons: Housing is a leg and an arm for a glorified room.
W&M (10k/yr with a 3.0 stip. If I become a VA resident, the 10k/yr is gone)
Pros: Good campus, seems like a great community; currently cheapest option if I can get the restrictions removed on the scholly
ConS: Tiny town with very little of the amenities that I am used to; not much diversity in the student body; nightlife=delis
W&L (20k/yr with 3.2 gpa..but costs come out the same as W&M)
Pros: Traveler's (Robert E. Lee's?) grave is there; Gorgeous campus w/ great people
Con: It's a tiny town and I think adjusting would be hard. The diversity statistics are kind of scary.
Thanks for the input, guys.
My top two targeted markets are California and then DC with a little more preference for CA, but only marginally. Davis/Hastings both feed into the California market and are remarkably similar, even if the US News rankings says otherwise. W&M/W&L are very similar as well and both feed into DC and Virginia. I have no intention of working in the South, however. If i go to W&M/W&L...it's going to be DC or bust. I'm not sure if that would be a risky move.
These are the offers I have gotten, and some notes:
Davis (have not received any yet, just got accepted)
Pros: SO currently works in Sacramento--we told each other that we will not make decision based on what we will do, but being near her would be a BIG plus; close to CA govnt jobs; good faculty and community...but have access to major cities with a short drive
Cons: The cost of attendance, though I am anticipating at least some merit or need-based aid.
Hastings (have not received any yet, just got accepted)
Pros: City, SANFRAN; Good Program; Really close to the actions; won't have to move in the summer for internships/jobs.
Cons: Housing is a leg and an arm for a glorified room.
W&M (10k/yr with a 3.0 stip. If I become a VA resident, the 10k/yr is gone)
Pros: Good campus, seems like a great community; currently cheapest option if I can get the restrictions removed on the scholly
ConS: Tiny town with very little of the amenities that I am used to; not much diversity in the student body; nightlife=delis
W&L (20k/yr with 3.2 gpa..but costs come out the same as W&M)
Pros: Traveler's (Robert E. Lee's?) grave is there; Gorgeous campus w/ great people
Con: It's a tiny town and I think adjusting would be hard. The diversity statistics are kind of scary.
Thanks for the input, guys.