Loyola Chicago or Miami Forum

[millertim3]

trying to choose between these two schools and could use some input. i'm considering not only academics/reputation but the location, student life, alumni network and chance of employment in california after graduation; if not CA, i would preferably rather be in chicago than miami. tuition/debt and COL are not factors since they would both be approx. the same.

i know how a lot of people on this board view these two schools so please spare me the 'retake' or other disparaging comments; i have done my research and understand the current economy but no amount of negativity is going to convince me not to go. but i would appreciate some constructive input on pros and cons of attending either of these schools this fall. thanks!

[rad lulz]

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[lobolawyer]

So you understand that the economy is terrible and that these schools are also-rans in their markets, but you are choosing to remain willfully ignorant?

I literally lol'd at this post.

[checkster]

Since you've made it clear that you don't want to hear what you need to hear, do you at least have $$ from either of these schools?

[srfngdd6]

the chances of getting back to cali from either of these scores are almost zero, neither are worth sticker but since you already understand this, go to miami if your gonna waste three years and 150k do it in style

[sunynp]

edit- Note to self: no need to be rude

[romothesavior]

Miami
Pros: Attractive women, beaches, weather
Cons: Very expensive, very regional, few job prospects, saturated market

Loyola
Pros: Chicago is fun
Cons: Very expensive, very regional, few job prospects, saturated market, Chicago is cold in the wintertime

Verdict: If you're going to make the worst financial decision of your life, do it in style! Enjoy Miami, brah!

[specialsnowflake]

Miami
Pros: Attractive women, beaches, weather
Cons: Very expensive, very regional, few job prospects, saturated market

Loyola
Pros: Chicago is fun
Cons: Very expensive, very regional, few job prospects, saturated market, Chicago is cold in the wintertime

Verdict: If you're going to make the worst financial decision of your life, do it in style! Enjoy Miami, brah!

This. So much of this.

[thexfactor]

So you understand that the economy is terrible and that these schools are also-rans in their markets, but you are choosing to remain willfully ignorant?

I literally lol'd at this post.

lol People buy lotto tix all the time and im sure they know it is a bad investment. I mean if he studied some useless major ie english, russian lit, psychology, sociology... etc why not take a gamble. It isn't like he can go out and actually get an entry level job with SOME room for advancement... (no. going from a barrista to assistant manager doesn't count.. even though it is likely he will be a barrista anyways if he graduates from one of those two schools)

So why not take a 150k gamble for a 1-10 chance on having a career that could pay 100k+ starting salary. It isn't like he really has anything more to lose....

[boredatwork]

Basically unless you were to ask this board wich should I go to Stanford or Harvard? this is the rote answer. Pretty sure most of the above posters immediately change form as soon as they touch a keyboard. They go from the best and brightest of the T14 to green, hairy, long fanged club weilders who frequent bridges and like a light meal of ground bone. Is the legal market saturated? absolutely. Is Chicago one of the most saturated? absolutely. Do lawyers out of both of these schools find employment after they graduate? absolutley. Work hard, graduate as close to the top of your class as you can and you will probably do fine. Anyway ask any good lawyer and they will tell you that your Law education gets you your first job, it is what you do after that that defines your career. Now to the nitty gritty:

Loyola is very highly regarded regionally. If you check out yesterdays USNWR rankings by lawyers and judges that becomes evident. I don't want to go find it but I think they were 58th? 68th? In the actual ranking they rose to 67th, if anyone is counting that is 20 spots in 5 years, more importantly it shows their ranking is clearly not a fluke. If you look at their OCI's you will also see that reflected in the number and caliber of firms currently recruiting at Loyola. Law school is expensive but if you want to be a lawyer you have to go. Also Loyola has the best reputation among regional schools in Chicago, IIT is ranked slightly higher but doesn't place as well and they both outperform Depaul.

Hopefully someone else can chime in about Miami. (since they denied me admission I stopped doing my homework)

[rad lulz]

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[specialsnowflake]

Basically unless you were to ask this board wich should I go to Stanford or Harvard? this is the rote answer. Pretty sure most of the above posters immediately change form as soon as they touch a keyboard. They go from the best and brightest of the T14 to green, hairy, long fanged club weilders who frequent bridges and like a light meal of ground bone. Is the legal market saturated? absolutely. Is Chicago one of the most saturated? absolutely. Do lawyers out of both of these schools find employment after they graduate? absolutley. Work hard, graduate as close to the top of your class as you can and you will probably do fine. Anyway ask any good lawyer and they will tell you that your Law education gets you your first job, it is what you do after that that defines your career. Now to the nitty gritty:

Loyola is very highly regarded regionally. If you check out yesterdays USNWR rankings by lawyers and judges that becomes evident. I don't want to go find it but I think they were 58th? 68th? In the actual ranking they rose to 67th, if anyone is counting that is 20 spots in 5 years, more importantly it shows their ranking is clearly not a fluke. If you look at their OCI's you will also see that reflected in the number and caliber of firms currently recruiting at Loyola. Law school is expensive but if you want to be a lawyer you have to go. Also Loyola has the best reputation among regional schools in Chicago, IIT is ranked slightly higher but doesn't place as well and they both outperform Depaul.

Hopefully someone else can chime in about Miami. (since they denied me admission I stopped doing my homework)

Why not take a year to retake and aim for scholarships at these schools then? The work experience can only help and will be good to save up some $$ before you dive into loans

[boredatwork]

Well I wouldn't have chimed in if anyone had any advice to give the op, but no one did, just troll troll troll. I have a job lined up after law school, I am not worried about it but op didn't ask "Hey can you guys flame me for a while because I want to go to these schools?" If you are tired of giving the same advice don't read these either or threads and don't post in them. Blasting people for wanting to pursue their passion is unkind and uncalled for.

[rad lulz]

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[millertim3]

like i mentioned in my original post, cost is not an issue for me. approx. half of my tuition will be covered by scholarships + grants and I am fortunate enough that my family has agreed to help subsidize my COL. I would love to go to a nationally-recognized school like Miami BUT am afraid that I'm going to get stuck in south florida for the rest of my life. I would preferably like to be able to come back home to southern california or work in a metro area like chicago after graduation.

specialsnowflake, i already retook the LSAT and scored high enough for those said scholarship offers. and thank you boredatwork for actually giving me a solid response.

[lobolawyer]

like i mentioned in my original post, cost is not an issue for me. approx. half of my tuition will be covered by scholarships + grants and I am fortunate enough that my family has agreed to help subsidize my COL. I would love to go to a nationally-recognized school like Miami BUT am afraid that I'm going to get stuck in south florida for the rest of my life. I would preferably like to be able to come back home to southern california or work in a metro area like chicago after graduation.

specialsnowflake, i already retook the LSAT and scored high enough for those said scholarship offers. and thank you boredatwork for actually giving me a solid response.

I think that given the fact you want to live in CHI Loyola is the obvious choice. In defense of others, you didn't say that cost was not an issue for you, you said that it would be approximately the same at either place. Anywho, if you want CHI Miami is a bad choice.

[millertim3]

bump

[PhiAlphaFLBeta]

Florida's legal market is almost entirely <50 attorney firms. Yes there is an abundance of law schools in FL but only 4 of them are really taken seriously. Going to Florida's law schools from out of state without scholarships in this economy is financial suicide.

That being said, If you can get out of UM with less than 80k in debt you'll probably be ok. Just understand that there is no Big law in florida. Our "big law" is a 50 atty firm. You'll probably get a job at a 10-20 atty firm somewhere between miami and orlando making 65-75k.

[cfrob14]

I might be able to help here.

Do not go to Miami unless you're getting substantial financial aid (I'm talking close to 0 debt). If Loyola is anything like Miami, do not go to that school either.

I went to the U for undergrad and know plenty 3Ls who are pretty much fucked in terms of employment. PM me if you want specifics. Granted, there will always be people at the top of their class (I know a girl who was and she's doing really well) but you can't bank on that.

For whatever its worth, you should really reconsider your law school situation. I know you don't want to hear it, and I'm happy to lose this argument with you 1000 times, but don't rush into this process.

Learn the system, game it, and put yourself in a better place. Hope this helps.

bump

[rad lulz]

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