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I was admitted to both a few weeks ago but i'm still kind of stuck as to which would be the better pick especially with regards to job prospects upon graduation. As far as I can tell there is not a significant difference between the two in terms of reputation, meaning both are largely local... I would really appreciate any thoughts on the matter!

Where do you want to live?

Albany's big draw is that it is the only law school in the capital and therefore, has a stranglehold on the public sector/state government jobs in Albany. But the fact is (coming from a NY resident) the state government is in the metaphorical shitter and inescapable budget cuts will undoubtedly affect the availability of those state jobs.

I was initially drawn more to Albany, but it is a smaller community, so job prospects I am assuming would be more limited and thus more competitive. Similarly there would be greater competition for jobs within the city as there are more schools to compete with.
I'm just not sure how Loyola fares in comparison, it has Tulane as a major competitor, especially as it is widely considered as being more reputable.
Perhaps it is just a matter of my doing REALLY well for the next three years regardless of the school.

AB03 wrote:Perhaps it is just a matter of my doing REALLY well for the next three years regardless of the school.

Mandatory curve makes this unpredictable, and should not be relied upon. Everyone has this mentality, and more kids will be in the bottom of the class than the top.

I could be biased as I'm probably going to be in New Orleans next year and would love to live there permanently, but comparing it in any way to Albany is insane. Albany has slate grey skies, comparable crime, a dismal social culture, rotting industry, a messed up state government, and nothing to do for miles.

Rough place to be, rough employment prospects, rough quality of life.

Thanks for the help! I've been doing some more digging and I think I am leaning more toward New Orleans. I think it might be a better fit for me!

Where are you from?

ha, long story... Ohio originally, then Indiana, but for the past 14 years I have lived in Ontario, Canada. (I am a citizen of both countries) i'm not really tied down to any particular region, and i'm really looking for a change.

AB03 wrote:ha, long story... Ohio originally, then Indiana, but for the past 14 years I have lived in Ontario, Canada. (I am a citizen of both countries) i'm not really tied down to any particular region, and i'm really looking for a change.

How do you feel about blistering hot, overwhelmingly humid swamp then? Albany is a lot more similar to Ohio, much of Ontario, and Indiana than it is to Southern Louisiana.

AB03 wrote:ha, long story... Ohio originally, then Indiana, but for the past 14 years I have lived in Ontario, Canada. (I am a citizen of both countries) i'm not really tied down to any particular region, and i'm really looking for a change.

How do you feel about blistering hot, overwhelmingly humid swamp then? Albany is a lot more similar to Ohio, much of Ontario, and Indiana than it is to Southern Louisiana.

no problem with it actually, i've spent some time in the southern states and much prefer thet type of climate to the long winters typical of Ontario, Albany etc.

Cost of attendance at each?

Albany is more expensive, by about 20 000.

AB03 wrote:Albany is more expensive, by about 20 000.

But how much do they cost?

omg i have this same problem between albany and loyola N.O. I was wondering how loyola does with job prospects considering that it has competition like lsu and tulane. My friend who graduated from tulane informed me that it matters more how you perform in law school more than which school you attend (especially when lsu and loyola are not that far in rankings from one another)

prea5356 wrote:My friend who graduated from tulane informed me that it matters more how you perform in law school more than which school you attend.

Wisdom of a Jedi Master, your friend has.

Have you ever lived in Albany??? TERRIBLE! You could not pay me enough. NOLA on the other hand has it all! Ive lived in both and dont see any scenario where I would choose Albany....but just my opinion

And if you are just a little bit smart you will shine here. I am in the NOLA area and boy, we need some brians this way. From what I understand a lot of Tulane graduates leave.

Go with Albany. It does have a good reputation in the area and a lot of alum around that will help you out. New Orleans is too volatile and the risk of working and living there is too high.