Top Law Schools

Hello everyone!

Here is my issue.

Suffolk(Fullride) v. Hofstra(Fullride).....which seems better in job perspective and transfer?

For personal reasons, must choose between these two schools.

Retake is not an option.

Thanks for the advice.

These schools are equally terrible in terms of career prospects, so you should minimize your risk/debt: go to whichever has the lowest COL and/or friendlier scholarship stipulations.

likogan wrote:Hello everyone!

Here is my issue.

Suffolk(Fullride) v. Hofstra(Fullride).....which seems better in job perspective and transfer?

For personal reasons, must choose between these two schools.

Retake is not an option.

Thanks for the advice.

If you can stand living on Long Island for the rest of your life, go to Hofstra.

I voted Suffolk over Hofstra because, looking at the worst case scenario upon graduation, I'd rather be unemployed in Boston than Long Island.

I would save three years of my life and not go to law school. Just looking real quick at the graduating class of 2009, over half the class at Hofstra is working part time, unemployed or in the public sector and an additional 20% didn't report. That's 70% of the class working shit jobs, completely fucked or unaccounted for and I would bet almost the entirety of those not reporting fall into that unemployed/working part time category. Sorry I'm too lazy to look at Suffolk but I'm sure they're equally as shitty.

Secondly, are there stipulations on your scholarship? I'm guessing there are and that's another reason not to go to school at either of these places. These lower ranked school like to lure students in with $$ and then throw them all in the same sections to let them battle royale, those who don't make the cut lose the scholarship and are incredibly up the creek.

I'm not saying any of this to be a dick but you're likely only going to end up either having a three year gap in your work history or having to deal with the shame and embarrassment of listing a J.D. on a Burger King application. If you absolutely can't retake you need to seriously reconsider going to law school.

TTIWWOstips.

Law School Transparency says both schools put about 70% of the class of 2009 in Full-Time positions. 67% of those for Hofstra required passing the Bar, while Suffolk came in at roughly 50%. OP, the two schools are somewhat similar in job prospects, so I would just go to the school where you'd like to work after graduation (Long Island or Boston). From someone who visits Long Island on occasion, its not the best place in the world, so I'd recommend visiting both schools and see which gave you a better 'feel' if you haven't already.

Let's cool it with the LI bashing ITT. Hofstra is a TTT but Long Island is a great place, obviously you guys visit the wrong parts.

BaiAilian2013 wrote:TTIWWOstips.

This. If one is top half, and the other is top third, you've made your choice. But a better question is, didn't you get into BC/BU/Fordham if you got full rides from the local TTTs?

long island sucks, and Im from the nice part. carry on bashing it please.

rangers0412 wrote:long island sucks, and Im from the nice part. carry on bashing it please.

Where you from?

snapdragon wrote:I voted Suffolk over Hofstra because, looking at the worst case scenario upon graduation, I'd rather be unemployed in Boston than Long Island.

+1

ndirish2010 wrote:

rangers0412 wrote:Where you from?

the streets

If you go to Suffolk, you can take civ pro with the legendary Glannon (of E&E fame)

I'm at Suffolk, on a full ride. I met my stipulation -- 3.0 (which is roughly top half). I know other people who didn't, but still kept around 75%.

While I knew going in big law was pretty much out, I've been working in a smaller midsized firm for the summer and I've really enjoyed the pace, they kind of work and the culture of the firm. Suffolk has been very collegial and the professors, save one, have all been excellent, available, etc. I'm happy with my choice, which I know isn't for everyone, but I'm hoping in the end the lack of financial pressure will give me a lot of flexibility in my future work life and I don't regret turning down better schools for Suffolk.

Also per the data submitted to U.S.News (available on Law School Transparency):

Hofstra 2009 grads: 16.5% made 58K or more (only 34% of private sector grads reported salaries, one of the lowest in the country. You can reasonably expect the other 66% were not making as much as 58K, and that few to none of the grads in other sectors were making that much.)
Suffolk 2009 grads: 30% made 50K or more (only 70% of private sector grads reported salaries, which while low is not nearly as bad as Hofstra. Same assumptions apply as to what other grads are doing)

2009 was a significantly better year for hiring than 2010. Absent each school complying with a request to release 2010 data before you make up your mind, a realistic estimate is that you have less than a 10% chance at making 58K or more from Hofstra and a 15% chance at making 50K or more from Suffolk. Please factor that in when evaluating the level of debt you will assume... given such low odds I think minimizing debt is going to be very important. G'luck.