UMD w/ no money vs. Univ. of Baltimore w/ full ride Forum

[Terp2008]

I was accepted to University of Maryland Law School with no money (tuition = $23,762, COA = $52,944, ranked #42 overall, #3 health law, #6 clinical program) and University of Baltimore with a full-tuition scholarship (leaving approx. $15-20K per year in living expenses to be covered, ranked #117 overall).

I want to practice in or around DC ideally, but wouldn't mind starting out in Baltimore if I had to. My preference is to get into health law, practice in a hospital system or a larger firm that handles health-related legal matters, but could also do general practice or public interest/government work for a few years and be fairly happy. I will be 28 when I graduate and (hopefully) pass the bar, so it won't be long after that I start considering a house/car/family. Not sure if it's worth it to go for the prestige or the money, pretty torn. Does anyone have advice or opinions? Feel free to answer the poll and leave comments here, or just comment!

[ARTfulDodger]

University of Maryland. Excellent health law program (which you have already noted). But, if you are really debt averse, take UB's offer. Many lawyers in the Maryland area are UB alums and they have an excellent alum backing. Not really sure about University of Maryland (don't know many alums), but it is higher ranked and known for it's health care program.

[HeavenWood]

Did you try using your Baltimore scholarship for leverage?

[ARTfulDodger]

Did you try using your Baltimore scholarship for leverage?

Good point, HeavenWood. It's worth a shot.

[DC7935]

Take UBalt and graduate debt free. Trust me these 0L's don't have a clue about practicing law in the real world. There are several UBalt attorneys practicing beside UMD attorneys in Maryland and making the same amount of money. I am also seeing this with UDC Law and and Catholic Law graduates particularly in trial law. No one gives a damn about your school after your first job.

[HeavenWood]

Take UBalt and graduate debt free. Trust me these 0L's don't have a clue about practicing law in the real world. There are several UBalt attorneys practicing beside UMD attorneys in Maryland and making the same amount of money. I am also seeing this with UDC Law and and Catholic Law graduates particularly in trial law. No one gives a damn about your school after your first job.

Past hiring =/= present hiring, although I agree that UMD is not worth sticker ITE.

[Terp2008]

Did you try using your Baltimore scholarship for leverage?

Great idea - I had thought about trying that...thanks for the advice

[Terp2008]

There are several UBalt attorneys practicing beside UMD attorneys in Maryland and making the same amount of money.

DC7935 - Do you know if this is true for all specialties and firm sizes? I work for a medium-sized Baltimore-based firm and it seems true that UBalt has the market on lock for small and medium firms, but I don't have much data for large firms or government/health-related employers.