Need help in making a decision - asking for assistance. Forum

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SCrimLaw

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Need help in making a decision - asking for assistance.

Post by SCrimLaw » Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:30 pm

Hello all:

I need a bit of advice in choosing which law school to attend.

So far, I've been admitted to two schools in the top 14 with no scholarship offers. However, I've also been admitted to two schools ranked in the 50s with full scholarships. Should I choose the higher ranked schools, or the ones that are offering me large financial aid packages?

Any help would be appreciated.

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cinephile

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Re: Need help in making a decision - asking for assistance.

Post by cinephile » Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:54 pm

Full ride still means $60k in loans for living expenses. So, it's not that great of a deal unless you'd be happy staying in the region your school is in forever.

bdubs

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Re: Need help in making a decision - asking for assistance.

Post by bdubs » Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:57 pm

Wait until all of the schools you're admitted to actually finalize scholarship offers to make these kind of posts. Most schools haven't even started handing out finaid yet.

SCrimLaw

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Re: Need help in making a decision - asking for assistance.

Post by SCrimLaw » Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:58 pm

One of the school's offering a full ride is the University of Connecticut. I am from NYC and would like to work in a more clam/suburban area. I think that I would enjoy living in Connecticut.

SCrimLaw

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Re: Need help in making a decision - asking for assistance.

Post by SCrimLaw » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:00 pm

bdubs wrote:Wait until all of the schools you're admitted to actually finalize scholarship offers to make these kind of posts. Most schools haven't even started handing out finaid yet.
I wasn't aware of this. I just assumed that all scholarship offers were made in the admittance letters.

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bdubs

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Re: Need help in making a decision - asking for assistance.

Post by bdubs » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:01 pm

SCrimLaw wrote:
bdubs wrote:Wait until all of the schools you're admitted to actually finalize scholarship offers to make these kind of posts. Most schools haven't even started handing out finaid yet.
I wasn't aware of this. I just assumed that all scholarship offers were made in the admittance letters.
Most T14's do financial aid/scholarship offers in February and March with a few exceptions.

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TommyK

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Re: Need help in making a decision - asking for assistance.

Post by TommyK » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:01 pm

informed advice requires full information. You would need to provide which schools in T14, which schools in the 50's, what you want to do after law school. I second the previous advice - wait until all scholarship offers are finalized. You don't have to decide for MONTHS.

SCrimLaw

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Re: Need help in making a decision - asking for assistance.

Post by SCrimLaw » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:11 pm

TommyK wrote:informed advice requires full information. You would need to provide which schools in T14, which schools in the 50's, what you want to do after law school. I second the previous advice - wait until all scholarship offers are finalized. You don't have to decide for MONTHS.
I am not entirely sure the area of law in which I would like to practice. I originally wanted to be a criminal defense lawyer but, I am not sure if I would be able to live comfortably with the low salary. I was considering private criminal defense but, I am realizing that job opportunities might be limited, as many defendants do not hire private defense attorneys.

If I decide not to practice criminal law, I might consider tort, tax, or environmental law.

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YourCaptain

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Re: Need help in making a decision - asking for assistance.

Post by YourCaptain » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:15 pm

Knowing which T14s is crucial here; a T50 is not a good bet. Conn has a tiny legal market (less than 20 SA positions) and I know of 7 non-UConn people who took them this year.

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