Help! Where Should I Go? Forum

[aguaman13]

Okay, I`ve been accepted to a number of schools and have it narrowed down to 5 schools. I would appreciate any and all feedback on the schools and where you think would be best for my long-term goals of pursuing a career in public interest work and/or politics. Here are my current rankings:

1. St. Mary`s- I like the dual J.D./MPA option and feel that with alumni currently sprinkled throughout the country in some prominent political positions that this could be a school on the rise. Like San Antonio`s political scene, proximity to Austin, and low cost of living.
2. Loyola New Orleans- Same regarding joint option. Love the potential for impact that lies in New Orleans.
3. Cal Western- don`t love the school or hate it, but do love San Diego. Close to friends and family and would have the opportunity to live on a yacht for like $600 a month. Life outside school would be great, but I feel like it is the least mature choice.
4. Golden Gate (P/T)- I see mixed reviews on the school and still don`t have a great grasp on it. I like the Bay Area, but hate the cost of living and feel as though it would be a constant concern. They offered me $7K, but that seems like a drop in the bucket when considering the importance of the decision.
5. Charlotte- They offered me $20K per year and I hear Charlotte is great. Am not tremendously impressed with the school in terms of their numbers and reviews.

Thanks for your help!

[Pricer]

I went with Loyola NO. There are four law schools in Louisiana, but the state practices civil law, which most law schools outside of LA don't teach. If this is incorrect, someone please tell me, but this is my understanding.

[upfish]

I would go w/Loyola if you aren't going to retake/reapply.

Definitely do not go to Golden Gate: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... creditatio

[gjr8891]

I voted Loyola NO. When deciding how to vote, for me it was between that and St. Mary's. But I just couldn't find it in me to recommend that someone attend St. Mary's.

Definitely don't even consider going to a California law school that is worse than a T2 without having special circumstances (including a full-ride and a guaranteed job upon graduation).

[plenipotentiary]

I vote no.

[aguaman13]

Thanks. I really appreciate the feedback.

For those of you who chose Loyola NO: how do you feel about the campus, student life, and professors? Are you pleased with your decision?

[arvcondor]

I'm with the Loyola NO crowd, since the school places pretty well in NOLA. But it also depends on what scholarships you have and where you want to work.

[thexfactor]

Okay, I`ve been accepted to a number of schools and have it narrowed down to 5 schools. I would appreciate any and all feedback on the schools and where you think would be best for my long-term goals of pursuing a career in public interest work and/or politics. Here are my current rankings:

1. St. Mary`s- I like the dual J.D./MPA option and feel that with alumni currently sprinkled throughout the country in some prominent political positions that this could be a school on the rise. Like San Antonio`s political scene, proximity to Austin, and low cost of living.
2. Loyola New Orleans- Same regarding joint option. Love the potential for impact that lies in New Orleans.
3. Cal Western- don`t love the school or hate it, but do love San Diego. Close to friends and family and would have the opportunity to live on a yacht for like $600 a month. Life outside school would be great, but I feel like it is the least mature choice.
4. Golden Gate (P/T)- I see mixed reviews on the school and still don`t have a great grasp on it. I like the Bay Area, but hate the cost of living and feel as though it would be a constant concern. They offered me $7K, but that seems like a drop in the bucket when considering the importance of the decision.
5. Charlotte- They offered me $20K per year and I hear Charlotte is great. Am not tremendously impressed with the school in terms of their numbers and reviews.

Thanks for your help!

What are the mixed reviews?

I know you don't want to do biglaw, but the thing is PI work is getting incredibly competitive as well. Don't just assume that students from UCB or UCLA don't want to do PI work.

I would choose Cal Western in this situation. You always wanted to live in San Diego, might as well try to make your wish come true. All 5 schools have about the same dismal placement. At least you can have fun in San Diego for 3 years.

[TheFactor]

Don't go to any of these schools.

[jonas]

Don't go to any of these schools.

[YourCaptain]

Don't go to any of these schools.

[071816]

Don't go to any of these schools without large scholarships.

[beaniew]

Three years from now, four if you do part time, you will regret your decision. Your life will be a state of financial ruin, and you will fell like a failure as you wallow in the doldrums of doc-review. Please spare yourself that misery, or don't blame anyone but yourself when you come to regret your decision. There really are other things you can do with your life. If you must go, go to a top 14 and be above median or go to a T50 and be in the top 15%.

[TheFactor]

Three years from now, four if you do part time, you will regret your decision. Your life will be a state of financial ruin, and you will fell like a failure as you wallow in the doldrums of doc-review. Please spare yourself that misery, or don't blame anyone but yourself when you come to regret your decision. There really are other things you can do with your life. If you must go, go to a top 14 and be above median or go to a T50 and be in the top 15%.

This is probably a bit of hyperbole, but the foundational principle holds true: you will likely regret your decision to pay a lot of money to attend these schools.

[YourCaptain]

Three years from now, four if you do part time, you will regret your decision. Your life will be a state of financial ruin, and you will fell like a failure as you wallow in the doldrums of doc-review. Please spare yourself that misery, or don't blame anyone but yourself when you come to regret your decision. There really are other things you can do with your life. If you must go, go to a top 14 and be above median or go to a T50 and be in the top 15%.

This is probably a bit of hyperbole, but the foundational principle holds true: you will likely regret your decision to pay a lot of money to attend these schools.

These schools actually make the situation less hyperbolic than we'd like to imagine.

[MrAnon]

These schools are really bad life options.

[CanadianWolf]

If you are determined to attend law school this year, then select between Loyola & St. Mary's, in my opinion.

[beaniew]

Yeah, I'm exaggerating a little bit, but only a little. Seriously, all bets are off outside those ranges. There a plenty of top students at top schools who want to do public interest and/or politics. Unless you want to be in the boonies, good luck competing with these people out of Loyola, GG and the likes. Take a year off and study for the LSAT again. If you can't score high enough to get into better schools, then maybe you aren't cut out for it. I'm pretty sure a golden retriever with 40K per year to toss away on tuition could get into Golden Gate. You don't want a place like this shaping, or perhaps limiting, your entire career.

[beaniew]

OP, your LSAT score is high enough for me to believe that you can do better. Go out there and get a 165. It is well within reach and will open up much better options.