Top Law Schools

I know many are talking about t14 vs t14. I am admitted to many t3 schools but am having difficulties deciding between the final two: Stetson and West Virginia. I live in Kansas. I've been given no scholarships. Total debt, employment prospects, education, and chances of scholarships after first year showing in the top of class are important to me.

Florida sucks and Stetson is behind like 3 schools in the state. Id go with WVU

If you can get in-state at WV, go there. It not, don't go.

One good thing about WV is it's tuition. It is substantially cheaper,even for out of state and with no scholarship then Stetson. Room and board is also less expensive. You might want to consider these factors.

You need to visit both schools before deciding.

Without more, Stetson is the safer pick, in my opinion.

I have visited some law schools higher ranked than either WVU or Stetson that were not impressive. A couple were similiar to the first year of undergraduate school & seemed designed only to teach enough law to acquaint the law students with material likely to be seen on the state bar exam. There can be a shocking difference in quality among even second tier law schools.

If you are willing to stay in WV to work, WVU is great and cheap, and Morgantown is a great place to live. If you want to work anywhere outside the state, you probably want to look elsewhere.

Note: I attend WVU undergrad (well, last day was today), not the law school.

I applied to WVU but the residency thing sucks; pretty sure it is really difficult to reclassify. I would not go to WVU at 3 years of out-of-state tuition. But I wouldn't go to Stetson at sticker either.

I don't think you should attend either right now. WVU would be fine but the non-resident tuition will be hefty, although still less than a number of other schools.

I'm actually going to attend a T3 (Ole Miss) but with resident tuition (11k) and a 5k scholarship. I think maybe next cycle you should look for a T2 or T3 that can give you residency and maybe some extra money. Plus you can always retake.

To add to the above: In-state residency is pretty much impossible to get as an out of state student.

Don't you think West Virginia employers might look a little suspiciously upon someone who has no previous ties to the state and comes to WVU? I say this as someone with some experience with West Virginia (my best friend from school is from there, have been to the state many times and WVU several times as well), it just seems as though West Virginians would hire someone who was committed to the state over someone who just came in from Kansas to go to law school.

Morgantown is a great place, I agree with WVUCelticFan. One of my favorite college towns. Hope to be back this fall for the Brawl.

ndirish2010 wrote:Don't you think West Virginia employers might look a little suspiciously upon someone who has no previous ties to the state and comes to WVU? I say this as someone with some experience with West Virginia (my best friend from school is from there, have been to the state many times and WVU several times as well), it just seems as though West Virginians would hire someone who was committed to the state over someone who just came in from Kansas to go to law school.

Morgantown is a great place, I agree with WVUCelticFan. One of my favorite college towns. Hope to be back this fall for the Brawl.

Surprised by this. We haven't exactly been nice to ND the past few years, especially when Harangoady (sp) came to town.

Your first paragraph is a valid concern. The firms I've talked to will want to know why you are here. At the same time, the market isn't so full of applicants that they will straight out reject you, especially if you do well. Offices in the panhandles and near Morgantown will probably care a little less than the southern part of the states too.

.

WVUCelticFan wrote:

ndirish2010 wrote:Don't you think West Virginia employers might look a little suspiciously upon someone who has no previous ties to the state and comes to WVU? I say this as someone with some experience with West Virginia (my best friend from school is from there, have been to the state many times and WVU several times as well), it just seems as though West Virginians would hire someone who was committed to the state over someone who just came in from Kansas to go to law school.

Morgantown is a great place, I agree with WVUCelticFan. One of my favorite college towns. Hope to be back this fall for the Brawl.

Surprised by this. We haven't exactly been nice to ND the past few years, especially when Harangoady (sp) came to town.

Your first paragraph is a valid concern. The firms I've talked to will want to know why you are here. At the same time, the market isn't so full of applicants that they will straight out reject you, especially if you do well. Offices in the panhandles and near Morgantown will probably care a little less than the southern part of the states too.

Most WVU fans I know hate ND, but we get along. I've never been to WVU when they've played ND. WVU is like my second team though.