Top Law Schools

Completely stuck on where to choose. Visiting campuses next couple weekends.

Got into Fordham @ sticker, Illinois w/ $5k/yr, Wisconsin w/ $15k/yr, Pepperdine w/$15k /yr, Loyola Marymount w/$23k yr and nearly got a full ride to U San Diego.

From what I've read on these forums, it seems like Fordham/Illinois/Wisconsin would be the wisest choices, based on their higher ranking, and all three feeding into two of the major law markets. I am interested in working my way into biglaw, although the prospect of working in San Diego with close to a free tuition doesn't sound bad.

Would it be more economically wise to go to USD with close to a full ride? $35k/yr

All opinions are appreciated.. thanks

EDIT: Also.. I scored pretty well on my LSAT, 167, but didn't have a great GPA (3.3). Basically, I'm pretty confident in my ability to perform in at least the top third of my class where ever I go. Interestingly, Pepperdine is the only school that has any stipulations on the scholarship, I must finish in top 3rd of class at end of each year.

EDIT: Didn't read the whole thing, my bad.

Also, I don't think you can consider Wisconsin a feeder school to Chicago. If you go to Wisconsin, expect work in Wisconsin (But then it might be hard w/o ties there. But then again, I have no evidence to back up my "ties" claim other than what I have read from this site).

just posted them in the edit

any other opinions? All advice is appreciated..

Where do you want to work?

I knew I wanted to be in the midwest, so I took Illinois even though Wisconsin would have been cheaper and I was a WI resident. Wisconsin's placement was just abysmal outside the state and I thought Illinois would give me more portability. I'm still extremely happy with the choice!

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rad lulz wrote:

xtian wrote:Basically, I'm pretty confident in my ability to perform in at least the top third of my class where ever I go.

lol you and everyone else

Where are you from and where do you want to work.

Yeah, I suppose that is a pretty cliche statement.

I've moved around a lot. I was born in NYC and then moved around as a kid from St. Louis to Chicago back to St. Louis and then ended up in CO when I was 14. So I guess I should say I'm from CO since I've been here for almost 9 years. But, I don't really want to stay in CO. I might eventually move back, but I want to get out after graduation this semester. I currently go to CU Boulder. I'd love to go the biglaw route, and judging from my options it seems that Fordham/Illinois are pretty much my only routes for that?

I'm also considering San Diego, because I LOVE the area, and close to a full ride in a place where I would love working in substitute for a t250 job doesn't sound bad....

You may be able to squeeze some money from Fordham. Similar numbers have gotten 10k/year in the past. If so, I think that is the obvious choice. I'd say that it's also the top choice without any scholarship money, but most people on here don't think Fordham @ sticker is smart.

NYCbound35 wrote:but most people on here don't think Fordham @ sticker is smart.

It's not. It's about a 25% shot at the jobs that will enable you to repay that money.

Full ride to USD is your best choice, but it's not a great option. Shot at biglaw is almost nil, and you have no ties to USD.

USD seems like the best option, but beware that the San Diego legal market is extremely small. Not a lot of opportunity for big law there.

rad lulz wrote:Full ride to USD is your best choice, but it's not a great option. Shot at biglaw is almost nil, and you have no ties to USD.

Ok, so slightly confused... I was reading on this site, @ http://www.top-law-schools.com/new-york ... hools.html , that although ranked #4 in the NYC area, Fordham still does very well, with 25% of grads placing in biglaw jobs, and a median $160k starting salary upon graduation.

Say I don't get any scholarship $ form Fordham, and end up with debt of ~$200k ($46,500*3yrs + 20k/yr living). If median salary is $160k, couldn't I assume I would be able to pay back within 5 yrs?

Also, I agree that if I go to USD I'd have almost 0% chance at biglaw. BUT, if I want to practice in USD, what's wrong with going there? Don't most ppl make ties while in school?

Oh god, so much to learn.

NYCbound35 wrote:You may be able to squeeze some money from Fordham. Similar numbers have gotten 10k/year in the past. If so, I think that is the obvious choice. I'd say that it's also the top choice without any scholarship money, but most people on here don't think Fordham @ sticker is smart.

If I've already been accepted, and I wasn't offered a scholarship, how would I go about "squeezing $ out?"

xtian wrote: Ok, so slightly confused... I was reading on this site, @ http://www.top-law-schools.com/new-york ... hools.html , that although ranked #4 in the NYC area, Fordham still does very well, with 25% of grads placing in biglaw jobs, and a median $160k starting salary upon graduation.

Like many many schools, the self-reported stats are BS. You have about a 25% shot at that 160k. If not 160, the chances are you make 50k-60k due to the bimodal salary distribution of first year salaries.

xtian wrote: Also, I agree that if I go to USD I'd have almost 0% chance at biglaw. BUT, if I want to practice in USD, what's wrong with going there? Don't most ppl make ties while in school?

Read this

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=178938

rad lulz wrote:

xtian wrote: Also, I agree that if I go to USD I'd have almost 0% chance at biglaw. BUT, if I want to practice in USD, what's wrong with going there? Don't most ppl make ties while in school?

Read this

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=178938

Yea, I have been. Basically, what most people on here would agree with, is that since none of my options are national schools, go with USD if I like the San Diego area and because I'll be paying only $6.5k/yr, right?

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For argument's sake, say I throw at USD. What would you say is my next best option, taking all factors into account, and not assuming anything about preferring any location over another?

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What are the stips on these schollys by the way?

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I was also accepted into CU Boulder, where I would get in-state tuition @ $28,195, and I am currently waiting on a scholarship offer in the mail, which I feel confident that I will get some $.

No stips on any of the offers except for Pepperdine, where I'll have to finish in top 3rd of class each year to keep the $.

EDIT: So Boulder is another option, after evaluating everything, if I receive scholarship $ from CU.

rad lulz wrote:

chimp wrote:What are the stips on these schollys by the way?

Only stip is top third for Pep

RC fail on my part. Damn Loyola really eased up a lot on their stips from last year.

If, as you say, you want to work in biglaw, Fordham is your best bet.
But, you've only got a 1 in 4 chance of getting it.

Based on your LSAT and GPA, you do not have any better chance than anyone else starting there.

So, do you want to risk a 75% chance of having crushing debt that you'll never manage to pay off?
If so, go for Fordham - it's a good school and places well in NYC.
But, again, only 25% get biglaw - and the school isn't exactly cheap.

Otherwise, take the money in San Diego - graduating law school with minimal debt is something you'll really appreciate 5 years from now.