Indiana $$$ vs. Alabama $$$ Forum

[hikerandskierguy]

I have received an offer to IUB with 120k. I have received a full ride offer to Alabama provided I'm top 40%. I really want to clerk after law school. This makes me think I should choose Alabama because class rank is very important for clerking and it looks like smarter folks (and hence harder competition) go to Indiana (this looks especially true this year with all the 120k awards given out). On the other hand, I really dislike hot weather and I like that IUB lacks the class rank scholarship stipulation, which make me think I should choose Indiana. Where should I go?

[witorres89]

If you don't like hot weather Alabama plus a top40 stipulation doesn't make sense.

[CanadianWolf]

Indiana since you offer no reason why you would attend Alabama.

[LoyalRebel]

The vast majority of law schools tend to employ people within the region which, in Alabama's case, would be the southeast. If you don't like hot weather, I'd go to Indiana.

[Grizz]

Go where you want to work hurr durr

[SLS_AMG]

Would you be more likely to go to Alabama if they dropped the stipulation? If so, why don't you contact them and see if they will?

[hikerandskierguy]

If the stipulation is dropped I'm still on the fence.

[SLS_AMG]

What makes you think "smarter folks/harder competition" go to IUB? I just checked the stats from the LSAC website and they break down like this

IUB:

25th LSAT: 156
Median LSAT: 164
75th LSAT: 165

25th GPA: 3.26
Median GPA: 3.7
75th GPA: 3.83


Alabama:

25th LSAT: 160
Median LSAT: 164
75th LSAT: 166

25th GPA: 3.42
Median GPA: 3.77
75th GPA: 3.91


Bama has higher GPA numbers across the board, as well as higher 25th and 75th percentile
LSATs. Looking at the stats would imply the level of competition would actually be higher at Bama.

[danquayle]

What makes you think "smarter folks/harder competition" go to IUB? I just checked the stats from the LSAC website and they break down like this

IUB:

25th LSAT: 156
Median LSAT: 164
75th LSAT: 165

25th GPA: 3.26
Median GPA: 3.7
75th GPA: 3.83


Alabama:

25th LSAT: 160
Median LSAT: 164
75th LSAT: 166

25th GPA: 3.42
Median GPA: 3.77
75th GPA: 3.91


Bama has higher GPA numbers across the board, as well as higher 25th and 75th percentile
LSATs. Looking at the stats would imply the level of competition would actually be higher at Bama.

It's foolish to go anywhere on the assumption that you'll do top 10%. Any law school has pretty tough competition, and grades are known to be unpredictable. Go to the best school and/or the school that is the best fit.

[hikerandskierguy]

Dear SLS,

Thanks for the correction! For some reason I had conflated Vandy's numbers with IUB which is obviously off.

[danquayle]

What makes you think "smarter folks/harder competition" go to IUB? I just checked the stats from the LSAC website and they break down like this

IUB:

25th LSAT: 156
Median LSAT: 164
75th LSAT: 165

25th GPA: 3.26
Median GPA: 3.7
75th GPA: 3.83


Alabama:

25th LSAT: 160
Median LSAT: 164
75th LSAT: 166

25th GPA: 3.42
Median GPA: 3.77
75th GPA: 3.91


Bama has higher GPA numbers across the board, as well as higher 25th and 75th percentile
LSATs. Looking at the stats would imply the level of competition would actually be higher at Bama.

BTW, these numbers are old.