Top Law Schools

I know ive made other threads about this choice. However, I have visited 2 of these schools ( will be visiting SU next friday), and wanted a place to put my some thoughts down- read them over, and get other opinions on them. Here are some Pros and cons for each school.

Buffalo
Pro:
Grew up close nearby
In state tuition
CHeap cost of living
Friends in the area
Have contacts in the region ( for networking opportunitites)

Cons:
Not a big fan of the city
Friends are in the area ( none went further than UG- think you can go out and drink and slosh by)
Had a best friend get murderded in the city ( was 4 years ago, but it was outside a bar downtown, and I refuse to go there as a result)
Bars open till 4 am- have a tendency to stay till closing time- can be very costly
Not a fan of the law school
Undergrads have access to law library

Pittsburgh:
Pros:
Love the city
Not as expensive to live in ( similar costs to what i have now)
SChool and students are the best ive seen so far. Really love the law school and the renovations
No Undergrads in Law Library
Library is beautiful
Can see myself living here for the next 20 years
can get in state tuition as 2L, 3L

Cons:
Expensive tuition ( not a lot of scholly money)
not the only law school in the city
5hour drive from home- close byt not too close ( and the drive is uuber boring)
Syracuse:
PRos:
Fantastic scholarship offer
Nearby to contacts
Nice facilities
only school in city

Cons:
Not a fantastic reputation
Stipluations and grading method are iffy at best
Lose the scholly- have to drop out( extra pressure not needed)
Job prospects arent that great
havent visited yet- will be visiting on 3/25

Based on your post above, Pittsburgh is the clear choice.

thanks- thats what i was thinking..
guess the only game changer would be the final numbers( if i can get more money from a school)

One thing to clarify: why would you attend Pittsburgh without a lot of scholarship, but you would have to drop out of Syracuse if you lose the scholarship? Or am I reading it wrong.

Edit: Did not see the in-state for Pitt.

Pittsburgh is the winner. You have really thought it out so you really shouldn't have any regret. Best of luck!

Syracuse & Buffalo have some depressed & depressing areas. Pittsburgh is a much nicer city with the healthiest economy of the three cities.

I would rather have someone punch me in the fact than to attend Buffalo/Syracuse.

A major consideration should be in which of the three cities would you be most willing to spend the next few decades ? Conversely, would any of the three cities make you ill at the thought of a long-term committment ?

CanadianWolf wrote:A major consideration should be in which of the three cities would you be most willing to spend the next few decades ? Conversely, would any of the three cities make you ill at the thought of a long-term committment ?

northwood wrote: Pittsburgh:
Pros:
Can see myself living here for the next 20 years

I didn't read everything the first time through, either.

No, I caught that the first time, but decided to highlight that as a significant consideration & to note the converse consideration.

CanadianWolf wrote:No, I caught that the first time, but decided to highlight that as a significant consideration.

My apologies. I should have known better.

Bad attitude. I noted this because I believe this poster shared that location was not a primary factor since OP would be relocating with SO. (Was in a thread about Akron, I think.) Relationships are subject to change during the law school years, thus it's better to be stuck in a desirable location after law school.

100% Pitt... although I have them losing to Florida in the Elite 8.

The Gentleman wrote:100% Pitt... although I have them losing to Florida in the Elite 8.

Pitt blows - K State is coming out of that bracket. But then again, I had Louisville in the Elite 8 lol.

North, from everything you write, it just seems apparent to me that Pitt is where you want to be.

CanadianWolf wrote:Bad attitude. I noted this because I believe this poster shared that location was not a primary factor since OP would be relocating with SO. (Was in a thread about Akron, I think.) Relationships are subject to change during the law school years, thus it's better to be stuck in a desirable location after law school.

no SO for me! Im going to law school attachment free!


thanks for all of the responses! I will wait until I visit SU to formally send in my seat deposit. ( I want to triple check- and sleep on the decision for a few days just to make sure)

Snaps- you know me too well!

I am in a similar situation. I visted su today and it is a shit hole. Visiting buff monday. From the sounds pitt is the way too go. Ny has a hold on us, just have to break it. There are so many better places than the crumbling cities of upstate and western ny.

CanadianWolf wrote:No, I caught that the first time, but decided to highlight that as a significant consideration & to note the converse consideration.

thats a very good point. None of those cities would make me ill if I had to live there for a while. If I had to rank the cities as to where i would be happiest living for the next 70 years- it would be Pitt- Buffalo- Cuse. However, I can see myself in all 3 of them.

A downside for living in Pittsburgh would be all of the Steelers fans though. Whenever one of them stumbles into upstate NY and I meet them I instantly want to hit them. Why do they all wear steelers clothing year round?

Even with this, it has to be Pitt. How do your total COA's compare?

I found a few nice apartments in pittsburgh for around 700/ month- which is cheaper than my current apt rent. Buffalo's rent is a bit higher- as I would be living in the amherst area. Im also not keen on the distance from the majority of apts to bars( i refuse to drive to a bar b/c of the temptation to drive home). Will be checking out SU and the surrounding area friday- if i like the campus. However- comparing the campuses of buffalo and pitt- pitt blows the doors off buffalo. A much nicer school and facilities. I just checked out my UG loan debt- and its much lower than I thought ( 20k). Automobile is paid in full, and only has 16k miles on it ( 2006 honda civic 4 door).I will be working 2 jobs before school starts to save more money, and i allready have furniture for the apt ( so i can get an unfurnished one/ or sell it if i cant get a nice one).

Before I send in the deposit- I will be sleeping on the decision for a few days. right now, syracuse or buffalo will have to make me an offer id be a fool to refuse for me to attend. Pitt has the clear advantage.

I'd definitely do Pitt as well. Though I agree with the above poster. If you start wearing Steelers gear year round, I'm gonna want to punch you in the face - especially if its a Raperberger jersey.

esq wrote:I'd definitely do Pitt as well. Though I agree with the above poster. If you start wearing Steelers gear year round, I'm gonna want to punch you in the face - especially if its a Raperberger jersey.

well- if i start wearing steelers gear year round- ill personally break my nose

Pitt so long as you get in-state tuition.

wait they let undergrads in the law library? do most schools do this?

^Lower ranked ones seem to do this more often. Most don't though, so the answer is no.

if you cast a vote- will you please let me in on your thought process? thanks!