FSU v. LSU $$ v. Cumberland v. MC $$$
Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 2:41 pm
I just got pulled off the waitlist at FSU yesterday and it's got me digging for opinions and advice again. I was fairly sure that I was ready to just attend LSU. They waived the OOS cost for me with top 67% stip. Also talked to the office at Cumberland (an in-state school for me) and they said that the wave of scholarships went out just before I was accepted. As my numbers are at/above their 75th percentile in both GPA and LSAT I thought I was a shoe-in for a good scholarship. Now I have to wait on someone to give up their money for me to get anything. And then Miss. College gave me a full ride with top 20% stip.
So, just two days ago I decided that I was secure with going to LSU. It's three hours from me, but in the general area I'd like to live (AL/MS Coast or FL Panhandle). I already have a personal network in this area, so I was over the fear of going to a LA school with a different system and possibly not getting out. It would be more difficult than normal, but I feel like it's something I could accomplish (plus I would not die if I had to work in Eastern Louisiana for a few years or even for life). But then, FSU calls and offers a spot off the waitlist. No money coming from them. So my costs, as of today, would be (over 3 years): FSU=$107,682; LSU=$48,444; Cumberland=$98,700; MC=$0.
I'm not sure I like the tight stipulations with MC, but free is free (but I also believe MC is only worthwhile if its free the ENTIRE time). Cumberland would be nice since I could stay in the state I most want to practice in (AL), but I'm not willing to do that unless they ATLEAST match LSU with a 50% scholly. So, as of right now, assuming nothing else happens this summer (other waitlist offers or scholarship offers) I think my decision has to come down to FSU or LSU. Both capital cities, but LSU offers its 1L courses in civil law. That's my only drawback from LSU...the different initial learning in the 1L year.
So, is it worth paying the extra $59,238 to get a full 3 years of common law education as opposed to 2 years of common law and 1 of civil? Or maybe the other two schools are better options in your opinion. Pros/Cons from anyone? Let me hear your opinions. Thanks for your time!
So, just two days ago I decided that I was secure with going to LSU. It's three hours from me, but in the general area I'd like to live (AL/MS Coast or FL Panhandle). I already have a personal network in this area, so I was over the fear of going to a LA school with a different system and possibly not getting out. It would be more difficult than normal, but I feel like it's something I could accomplish (plus I would not die if I had to work in Eastern Louisiana for a few years or even for life). But then, FSU calls and offers a spot off the waitlist. No money coming from them. So my costs, as of today, would be (over 3 years): FSU=$107,682; LSU=$48,444; Cumberland=$98,700; MC=$0.
I'm not sure I like the tight stipulations with MC, but free is free (but I also believe MC is only worthwhile if its free the ENTIRE time). Cumberland would be nice since I could stay in the state I most want to practice in (AL), but I'm not willing to do that unless they ATLEAST match LSU with a 50% scholly. So, as of right now, assuming nothing else happens this summer (other waitlist offers or scholarship offers) I think my decision has to come down to FSU or LSU. Both capital cities, but LSU offers its 1L courses in civil law. That's my only drawback from LSU...the different initial learning in the 1L year.
So, is it worth paying the extra $59,238 to get a full 3 years of common law education as opposed to 2 years of common law and 1 of civil? Or maybe the other two schools are better options in your opinion. Pros/Cons from anyone? Let me hear your opinions. Thanks for your time!