U of Houston (15k) v Chicago-Kent (15k) part time Forum

[Kaylynn86]

Just looking for some input. I'm leaning slightly towards the University of Houston. (Like maybe 60/40 or 55/45). Here are my relevant facts:
I'm currently employed. I live and work in Houston, but my position will transfer to Chicago if necessary. I should be able to transfer to our legal department from my current position. I work for a large insurance company. I'd basically be doing civil defense (tort law) if I transfer to legal. I am only considering part time / evening programs.

Benefits of Houston:
-No cold weather
-don't have to move
-In state tuition
-graduate with no debt (my effective cost of attendance is 9k / yr and I can afford that out of pocket).
-In Houston it seems like schools go U Tx -> U Hou -> others (Baylor, SMU, etc.)

Benefits of Chicago:
-New/fun city
-Summer is wayyy less shitty
-Location of Chicago-Kent is awesome
-still keep debt down (cost of attendance is 15k / yr, should graduate less than 20k in debt).
-Overly saturated legal market? (NU, Chi, U IL ranked higher)

If you care, stats are 167/3.5, no special softs (other than WE & bilingual in Spanish), accepted also at American & Fordham, but no scholarships. U WI & MD still pending.

(Note, in either place because I have a full time job, I plan to pay for living expenses out of pocket). I do like Chicago slightly more as a city (if only their weather were like May all year round). Anything else I should consider? Any opinions? I am going to ask Kent for slightly more $$.

[bdole2]

Just keep your current job. If not, UH.

[checkster]

OP stated that he/she is keeping current job.

[bdole2]

OP stated that he/she is keeping current job.

While in law school. Not after...

[thexfactor]

any chance for a retake?

[Kaylynn86]

1-even if I stay in my current job, a jd will add significant ability to move up. It's a prerequisite to get above supervisor level.
2- no chance for a retake because I would be okay with either of these schools.

[CanadianWolf]

If you plan to work while attending law school part-time, then you don't need the distractions of moving to a new city & adjusting to new co-workers.

[romothesavior]

If you are just getting a J.D. and staying at your current job, why not go for free? Is your company paying for it? If so, go wherever you'd prefer personally. Where would you rather settle down?

[romothesavior]

2- no chance for a retake because I would be okay with either of these schools.

You're okay with $100,000+ for a pretty mediocre JD?

[Kaylynn86]

2- no chance for a retake because I would be okay with either of these schools.

You're okay with $100,000+ for a pretty mediocre JD?

100k?? I'd pay 36k for Houston (total) or 60k for Kent (total). Work contribution maxes out at 5k per year and isn't guaranteed. Where did you pull $100k from?

[romothesavior]

2- no chance for a retake because I would be okay with either of these schools.

You're okay with $100,000+ for a pretty mediocre JD?

100k?? I'd pay 36k for Houston (total) or 60k for Kent (total). Work contribution maxes out at 5k per year and isn't guaranteed. Where did you pull $100k from?

My apologies, I interpreted 15k as scholarships per year. Usually people put either yearly scholarships or total COA in the subject title, so I misinterpreted it. Didn't realize it was yearly COA.