Which NY Law School Should I Choose? Forum

[MP24]

To give a little background, I live in manhattan and would be commuting to whatever school I choose from manhattan.

Hofstra offered me the largest scholarship for the 1st year, however, even if I remain in the top 40% of the class I only have the possibility of receiving $20,000 to receive over the next two years.

St. John's requires me to stay in the top 40% of the class to retain the scholarship. Pace requires me to be in the top 25% and NYLS in the top 15%. NYLS has the potential to give me the most money ($90,000) but with the highest stips attached.

CUNY Queens, St. John's, Hofstra, and Pace would all be either a long or an expensive commute. However, I don't know if Cardozo (part-time program) and/or Brooklyn have a great enough reputation to justify paying full-price for them. But, then I also realize that NYLS doesn't have a great reputation.

I'm curious about everyone else's thoughts. I should also add that I have no intention of retaking the lsat. So, that advice is not needed.

[Stonewall]

hofstra.

[ndirish2010]

Not sure I would go to any of these. Commuting to Hofstra from Manhattan won't be fun, with the only positive being that you'll be going against the normal traffic flow.

[Attorney]

Since these are schools where you assured of not getting a really high-paying job right off the bat, I'd go to the one that is the cheapest overall. Then your loans become easier to pay back.

So maybe you could tell us your total COA at each school assuming median or a little better? Maybe run the numbers with median (top 50%) and then run them again with top 40%. I wouldn't take top 15% or 25% stipulation scholarships into consideration, that is too difficult to count on and too much pressure to put on oneself.

[HeavenWood]

None of these. Your scholarship stipulations are awful and your shot at decent legal employment from any of these schools is a crapshoot at best.

If you have no intention of retaking the LSAT, don't go to law school.

Alternatively: Go to Hofstra, your cheapest option (and fight like mad to remove those stipulations, or at the very least, have them relaxed). Drop out if you lose your scholarship.

[dixiecupdrinking]

I voted CUNY. It's cheap and has a decent rep for public interest stuff.

[plum]

None of these. Your scholarship stipulations are awful and your shot at decent legal employment from any of these schools is a crapshoot at best.

If you have no intention of retaking the LSAT, don't go to law school.

Alternatively: Go to Hofstra, your cheapest option (and fight like mad to remove those stipulations, or at the very least, have them relaxed). Drop out if you lose your scholarship.

it's quite interesting that the "don't go to law school" advice is now popping up immediately among answers. when i was applying in the last cycle, this advice surely was not coming up in such a clearcut way, people were still encouraging of options like these various NYC schools. I'm really glad this has come out in the open because I can tell you from the tone of the last two cycles, from the advice that was being given, I could have very well ended up at BLS with significant debt and low job prospects and thought that was totally acceptable.

[bport hopeful]

I think that it would be a crime if you didnt at least consider UB.

They place magnificently in NYC

[Cara]

None of the above.

Retake LSAT and get a good enough score for CLS/NYU or pick another career.

[last.chance]

St. John's and Hofstra are the same IMO. Because of your travel situation I would pick St. John's if they're willing to match Hofstra and possibly relax the stipulations.

If you're into Public Interest then CUNY is not so bad of an option considering the sub 15k tuition.

[dissonance1848]

Cara's being a bit harsh with the NYU/CLS bit, but yeah, your current options are screaming retake + applying to other schools besides those above.

[BaiAilian2013]

Need more background. Career goals?? Family to support? Family supporting you?

Do NOT go somewhere with a 25% or 15% scholarship stipulation. You will thank yourself this time next year.

[MrAnon]

St. John's is probably the best value. I wouldn't go to the bottom of the barrel schools because they flunk people out and if you get sick or something or have one screwed up exam it good be bye-bye. Don't go to Brooklyn for sticker -- that is nuts. NYLS is bottom of the barrel but I might consider it if (1) they agree to a continued scholarship with no stips and (2) you ensure they agree to not include you in any grade cutoff for being asked back to the school.

[YourCaptain]

None of these schools are worth the time, let alone the money.

[MP24]

Need more background. Career goals?? Family to support? Family supporting you?

Do NOT go somewhere with a 25% or 15% scholarship stipulation. You will thank yourself this time next year.

I'm just supporting myself with no financial support from the family. At this point in time, I'm most interested in Intellectual Property Law. On the USNAWR Intellectual Property list, Cardozo made it at #5, I believe, and NYLS at #26.

[BaiAilian2013]

Do you have a background that will make you marketable in IP?

[MP24]

Do you have a background that will make you marketable in IP?

I have a fairly strong background within the entertainment industry which is ideally what I would like to focus on. However, I know legal jobs in that industry are extremely competitive and that is why I'm trying to keep an open mind.

Also, thanks everyone for your responses so far!

[BaiAilian2013]

I say go to whichever is cheaper out of St. John's and Hofstra. Try to get the stips removed, obviously, and if either has a scheme where you still get a lesser amount of money if you fail to get top 40% but still stay in some certain percentage (like top 50% instead of top 40%), factor that in. My understanding is assuming top 40% all three years, Hofstra gives you $60k (or $80k depending on how I'm reading that sentence) whereas St. John's gives you $75k, but tuition at St. John's is also a couple thousand higher. I just can't see Cardozo at sticker being a good idea without a serious ace in the hole - unless you can work full-time while doing the part-time program and pay for maybe half of it as you go.

[caleb1717]

St Johns for sure over Hofstra - St Johns has an amazing network of alum and an established reputable name (with national recognition) - Hofstra is still struggling to find its niche in the New York area and has been far eclipsed by Cardozo (an even newer school) and Touro nipping at its heels...

[MP24]

I say go to whichever is cheaper out of St. John's and Hofstra. Try to get the stips removed, obviously, and if either has a scheme where you still get a lesser amount of money if you fail to get top 40% but still stay in some certain percentage (like top 50% instead of top 40%), factor that in. My understanding is assuming top 40% all three years, Hofstra gives you $60k (or $80k depending on how I'm reading that sentence) whereas St. John's gives you $75k, but tuition at St. John's is also a couple thousand higher. I just can't see Cardozo at sticker being a good idea without a serious ace in the hole - unless you can work full-time while doing the part-time program and pay for maybe half of it as you go.

The Hofstra scholarship letter was very strangely worded. But, yes, it seems to state that the most I could receive would be $60,000.

[Cara]

I'm just supporting myself with no financial support from the family. At this point in time, I'm most interested in Intellectual Property Law. On the USNAWR Intellectual Property list, Cardozo made it at #5, I believe, and NYLS at #26.

You overplayed your flame hand with the last two sentences but well done until then.

[koalatriste]

E) none of the above!

[XxSpyKEx]

E) none of the above!

[FiveSermon]

E) none of the above!

Not just being clever either.

[thexfactor]

i vote none.

if you held a gun up to my head and forced me to choose, I would choose NYLS and drop out if I am not in the top 15%.

Even if you get in the top 25% at pace, chances are that you wouldnt find a job.

Hope you get in the top 15% and then transfer. If not, then drop out. Low risk 1 years time and 15k and semi high reward of possibly transferring to a higher school and biglaw.