Top Law Schools

Here is what I'm looking at:


Scholarships:

Washington & Lee: No Scholarship
Ohio State: $5,000 per year
Wake Forest: $12,000 per year
George Mason: No Scholarship
Penn State: $18,500 per year
Seton Hall: $35,000 per year
Temple: $7,500 per year
University of New Hampshire: $32,000 per year

I am not sure which type of law I want to study. I am leaning towards criminal prosecution, though am open to new things. I've heard that states forgive student debt if one works in the government for ten years. Is this true? I don't really have a preference for region, but would prefer the school to be in a less dangerous area. The most important thing is a job at graduation, though I am not sure if Washington & Lee is worth the sticker price. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Go to the cheapest law school (including cost of living)
Beware of stipulations on the scholarships

Cheapest school for you would be SHU and I would NOT recommend that unless you want to work in NJ for life. You have a very impressive list to choose from. Be smart about it.

Forget Wash & Lee at sticker.

Compute, then compare total COA for each school.

Are you in-state for Ohio State ?

Yeah, Seton Hall has a 50% stip. I've heard they have some underhanded tactics in regard to this. It's also worth noting that I can probably qualify for in state tuition at Ohio State after 1L.

Where are you from, where do you want to work, and where do you have ties

I'm from New Hampshire. I don't have much of a preference as to location and really don't have ties anywhere. I'm graduating from a small school in Massachusetts this year and want to see life outside of New England. Beyond that its up in the air though, with a small lean toward somewhere warmer.

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Just out of curiosity, why would I be better off in NH even without any ties? I'm a bit frightened by the career prospects (roughly 30% have jobs at graduation according to US News) and don't see myself wanting to live here for the rest of my life necessarily.

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Thanks for the input, I'm definitely going to have to think long and hard. Retaking is not an option for me right now though.

Finalflash013 wrote:Thanks for the input, I'm definitely going to have to think long and hard. Retaking is not an option for me right now though.

Why? You have a 4.0. You are making a big mistake if you don't retake.

Finalflash013 wrote:Thanks for the input, I'm definitely going to have to think long and hard. Retaking is not an option for me right now though.

Why?

http://lawschoolnumbers.com/themightyarsenal
http://lawschoolnumbers.com/tincup

You next year if you retake a 160 (assuming you only took it once, did not prepare adequately, and bust your ass). Notice anything?

Just a thought - if you want criminal prosecution, as in working in the DA's office, prestige does not go as far as in FedGov or private law. That said, none of the options you list are attractive, partly because you show no dedication to a particular part of the country, partly because, even with your scholarships, they are not safe bets. If it is absolutely impossible for you to retake and reapply, I guess I'd take SH or Temple (can you get in-state tuition your 2nd/3rd yrs?). Try to negotiate that top 1/2 stip too.

Finalflash013 wrote:Thanks for the input, I'm definitely going to have to think long and hard. Retaking is not an option for me right now though.

You have acceptances with small/no scholarship money to regional schools where you lack ties. The only school I'd consider going to at these prices is NH, and that's because you have ties there. Some of your acceptances are to solid schools, but I wouldn't go there absent big scholarship money and ideally ties, which you don't have.

If you are concerned about debt and employment (as you should be), then a retake is your best option. Especially with a 4.0. I'll go out on a limb and say if you go to law school this fall, you will see the crappy state of the legal economy and will forever regret not retaking with a 4.0. But if you don't retake, stay local.