Poll: AL (Tuition +) vs. UGA (~10k/yr) vs. Texas (Sticker) Forum

[onmytoes812]

Other information:

From Alabama. Went to UG in-state as well. Not necessarily interested in staying in Alabama, but allegedly people CAN go elsewhere with the degree from Alabama, they just usually don't.

Love Athens, but I have a lifelong hatred of Tuscaloosa/all things UA. However, I was really impressed with everything about the recruitment process and the culture of the school-Career Services is proactive and deans/faculty are accessible. They are also striving to improve long-term.

At UGA, there is a sense of complacency, at least recruiting-wise, and less urgency because "the best are already coming here and it's usually their first choice." I did have great interactions with people at UGA as well, and I like the idea of starting over somewhere.

Alumni at both schools are very loyal. I also have some connections in DC that I might lose if I go to UGA, but they're not with firms and at this point I want to do firm work.

Alabama's 25-50-75 LSAT is 159-165-167. Class size 160-170
UGA's is a little tighter at 162-164-166. Class size 240-250

UGA only final grades one class in the fall (Criminal), while all others are in the spring.
Alabama is per semester.

Journals: Alabama is Top 10% grade-on, Top 50% can write-on. 4 journals, 40% of students write while in school. UGA is all write-on, 3 journals, slightly less opportunity.

USN&WR have them equally ranked, but I think UGA's name holds more weight. (They definitely view themselves as superior.)

Do I take the money or the out-of-state experience?

[Sandro]

since the money isnt an issue go to which one you would like the most. Sounds like going to UGA makes more sense since you are from AL and UGA naturally has more access to GA and you can still go home to AL. Plus you said you hate Tuscaloosa. I cant imagine doing 7+ years in one place.

[onmytoes812]

i didn't do UG at Alabama...so it would only be 3 years in TTown. but it's apparently not so bad. i hate it from more of an idealogical standpoint. haha

I can argue both sides of this debate so well it's scary. and sending me in circles.

[Sandro]

oh, misread. Did you go to any of these schools ASWs?


edit - you edited ( I think ) This all comes down to your preference between probably ending up in Alabama or Georgia after graduation with your choice of Athens/Tuscaloosa second.

I chose UGA because I'm from a neighboring state and the idea of having GA and my home state as markets to have ties to works for me. I think you will always be able to go back to AL because you've lived there but UGA opens GA up as well in a way UA doesnt.

[onmytoes812]

well apparently my post about money didn't log into the system..

i want to minimize debt to a certain extent so that i'm not forced to work to pay it off in the event i want to have kids later. i'd at least like the option to stay home.

and there's also the possibility (about 90%...ha) that i won't be in the top 10% of my class, so i'm afraid i'll take on more debt and then not be able to get as good of a job.

i've been to Athens twice and Tuscaloosa twice (on ASDs and visits). Also did the UGA King & Spalding reception. I'm going back to Tuscaloosa in the next week or two.

And thanks for the input!

[Sandro]

Well, you've listed a bunch of qualifiers that really dont lead to anyone else being able to come to a hypothetical conclusion for you. Debt/Location/Ties/Preference. Obviously UA is less debt but you arent talking about too much debt from either school so it isnt that huge of a deal. Your location is up in the air you said. You have ties to UA, but could open up GA @ UGA. You are undecided on which one you like best but said you hate Tuscaloosa/UA.

[SLS_AMG]

If you hate UA then why would you go there? My gut feeling is that you hate UA because you went to Auburn undergrad. I hope that's not the sole reason you'd avoid going to a great law school. As far as reputation, I definitely do not think UGA's name carries more weight. Last year was the first year in a while that UGA had been ranked above UA in the USNWR rankings.

[bearsfan1]

Other information:

From Alabama. Went to UG in-state as well. Not necessarily interested in staying in Alabama, but allegedly people CAN go elsewhere with the degree from Alabama, they just usually don't.

Love Athens, but I have a lifelong hatred of Tuscaloosa/all things UA. However, I was really impressed with everything about the recruitment process and the culture of the school-Career Services is proactive and deans/faculty are accessible. They are also striving to improve long-term.

At UGA, there is a sense of complacency, at least recruiting-wise, and less urgency because "the best are already coming here and it's usually their first choice." I did have great interactions with people at UGA as well, and I like the idea of starting over somewhere.

Alumni at both schools are very loyal. I also have some connections in DC that I might lose if I go to UGA, but they're not with firms and at this point I want to do firm work.

Alabama's 25-50-75 LSAT is 159-165-167. Class size 160-170
UGA's is a little tighter at 162-164-166. Class size 240-250

UGA only final grades one class in the fall (Criminal), while all others are in the spring.
Alabama is per semester.

Journals: Alabama is Top 10% grade-on, Top 50% can write-on. 4 journals, 40% of students write while in school. UGA is all write-on, 3 journals, slightly less opportunity.

USN&WR have them equally ranked, but I think UGA's name holds more weight. (They definitely view themselves as superior.)

Do I take the money or the out-of-state experience?

Auburn alum? Are there any gpa stipulations on your scholarships? If there are, what are they?

[Sandro]

And strictly from a numbers standpoint, and I know Alabama doesnt have many if any NLJ250 firms, but UGA has slight edge in NLJ250+Clerkship placement.

[ndirish2010]

I'm assuming you went to Auburn?

I would choose UGA here.

[onmytoes812]

Sorry for never getting back to this...my current school situation has been suffering from the law school dilemma, so I took a bit of a break.

Thank you SO much for all the input so far. I'll probably have to address things in a couple of posts.

As far as "hating Alabama," yes I am an Auburn alum, but I'm practical enough to overlook that (as I have, considering how impressed I've been with the program so far)...the money is just hard to turn down. That said, I haven't heard the greatest things about Tuscaloosa in general as a city, my dislike for "The University" notwithstanding. Compared to Athens, which is supposed to be fun and it's definitely pretty (and relatively safe), I'm not sure how I'd feel about that.

Money...is an issue. Or at least a consideration. Or it should be. But I'm not sure the difference in UGA & Alabama is material.

Additionally...I have another monkey wrench. I got into Texas this week. Probably full sticker. Always have been interested in possibly working in Texas, but not set on it.

[onmytoes812]

also, stipulation on the Alabama scholarship is Top 40% of my class.

[JakeL]

enjoy Texas.

[CanadianWolf]

I admire all three law schools. Enjoy Texas.

P.S. Are you willing to share your LSAT & GPA ?

[onmytoes812]

Texas at sticker?? Y'all are brave!

I don't mind sharing scores. 166/3.56

[Aberzombie1892]

Alabama's stipulations are offensive.

UT v. UGA. If you would be out of state all three years at Texas, I would say no to Texas.

[onmytoes812]

why is that stipulation offensive? (really...i don't know what's good and bad)

[Aberzombie1892]

Any stipulation that gives you less than a 50% chance at keeping a scholarship is an "offensive" one.

[onmytoes812]

good to know. i'm headed back to tuscaloosa for a visit..maybe i'll bring up my new acceptance. haha

[Sandro]

Isnt texas at sticker like 180k ? UGA for 10k yr comes out less than half total COA vs Texas , always confuses me when people instantly say Texas at 180k is some dream come true....

[onmytoes812]

Sandro, I'm with you. That's a LOT of money.

It's great and all, but I don't want to one day hang my UT degree on the wall of my cardboard box under the overpass in downtown Austin.