Seeking advice on a school decision Forum

[graviolla]

Like many, I am currently in the final decision phase of the law school application process. For me, it is coming down to a T14 at sticker or a top 50 school with some level of scholarship. For a bit more background: I am interested in health law and bioethics and am not interested in Big Law. I would like to practice in the mid-Atlantic or the South .

I am leaning towards Wake Forest for several reasons:
1) small 1L section size and low student:teacher ratio
2) low COL
3) location
4) it's hard to beat free....
5) they actually have medical law courses

It feels very strange to be willing to give up the top 14. 6 months ago, I was of the "you get into a T14, you go" mindset. But I don't know that I can justify $200K+ of debt (based on the sample budgets posted on school financial aid websites) when I don't have any interest in big law and have the opportunity to attend a law school that I like for free.

Am I underestimating the payoff that going to a T14 school grants you? Am I being too debt averse? Any thoughts here would be greatly appreciated.


[Updated]

[whitman]

Like many, I am currently in the final decision phase of the law school application process. For me, it is coming down to a T14 at sticker or a top 50 school with some level of scholarship. For a bit more background: I am interested in health law and bioethics and am not interested in Big Law. I would like to practice in the mid-Atlantic or the South .

I am leaning towards Wake Forest for several reasons:
1) small 1L section size and low student:teacher ratio
2) low COL
3) location
4) it's hard to beat fre....
5) they actually have medical law courses

It feels very strange to be willing to give up the top 14. 6 months ago, I was of the "you get into a T14, you go" mindset. But I don't know that I can justify $250K of debt (based on the sample budgets posted on school financial aid websites) when I don't have any interest in big law and have the opportunity to attend a law school that I like for free. $250K = about $2,000/month for 40 years (according to a few debt calculators I have tried)...that's a hefty sum.

Am I underestimating the payoff that going to a T14 school grants you? Am I being too debt averse? Any thoughts here would be greatly appreciated.

Not $250,000 - $200,000

[KMaine]

I don't think you are foolish to go to Wake Forest with a full scholarship. The job you end up with may be one that does not qualify for IBR but still does not make enough to service your loans in a way that leaves you with much $. If you pretty much are willing to throw out the idea of Biglaw, I do not think you are foolish to go to Wake. Keep in mind, when viewing the results of this poll, that the people who vote for Penn and those who vote for Michigan are basically voting for the same thing (go to the t-14).

[FlightoftheEarls]

It might help us if you could provide an idea as to what type of career you're interested in. Most of these schools will have plenty of classes on health law and bioethics, as well as the option to take courses through other departments (Public Policy, Med School, etc.), so the type of practice you think you're interested in would be helpful in determining which schools to suggest.

[Rule11]

Like many, I am currently in the final decision phase of the law school application process. For me, it is coming down to a T14 at sticker or a top 50 school with some level of scholarship. For a bit more background: I am interested in health law and bioethics and am not interested in Big Law. I would like to practice in the mid-Atlantic or the South .

I am leaning towards Wake Forest for several reasons:
1) small 1L section size and low student:teacher ratio
2) low COL
3) location
4) it's hard to beat free....
5) they actually have medical law courses

It feels very strange to be willing to give up the top 14. 6 months ago, I was of the "you get into a T14, you go" mindset. But I don't know that I can justify $200K+ of debt (based on the sample budgets posted on school financial aid websites) when I don't have any interest in big law and have the opportunity to attend a law school that I like for free.

Am I underestimating the payoff that going to a T14 school grants you? Am I being too debt averse? Any thoughts here would be greatly appreciated.


[Updated]

Is Penn's LRAP bad?

Not sure what kind of jobs there are in health law/bioethics, but they're probably very hard to get from a school like Wake Forest. The scholarship won't help get you a job, sadly.

[rman1201]

Like many, I am currently in the final decision phase of the law school application process. For me, it is coming down to a T14 at sticker or a top 50 school with some level of scholarship. For a bit more background: I am interested in health law and bioethics and am not interested in Big Law. I would like to practice in the mid-Atlantic or the South .

I am leaning towards Wake Forest for several reasons:
1) small 1L section size and low student:teacher ratio
2) low COL
3) location
4) it's hard to beat free....
5) they actually have medical law courses

It feels very strange to be willing to give up the top 14. 6 months ago, I was of the "you get into a T14, you go" mindset. But I don't know that I can justify $200K+ of debt (based on the sample budgets posted on school financial aid websites) when I don't have any interest in big law and have the opportunity to attend a law school that I like for free.

Am I underestimating the payoff that going to a T14 school grants you? Am I being too debt averse? Any thoughts here would be greatly appreciated.


[Updated]

It seems like a pretty clear answer. Penn/Mich are great schools and would offer you the best overall opportunities - but if they don't line up with your goals and you can still do what you want to do from a free (and reputable) T1 in the region you want to work, why force it an pay $200k+?