Arkansas ($$) or Houston? Forum

[Prospecta8571]

The time is coming 'round to pick, and I must admit that I am torn. Ark offered a scholarship, cutting my OOS tuition in half, making the tuition around 13k/year. I was also accepted in UH (no scholarship), but I am from Houston so the tuition for in state is around 28k. Living at home is not an option, however. UH has the better rank and I'm guessing better job prospects, but Arkansas has a great cost of living. Any thoughts?

[StarLightSpectre]

What are you're goals and where do you want to end up?

If it was me I'd go to Houston but I love Houston and would want a shotat big law (even if it's a small one).

[Prospecta8571]

I think I'd want to end up back in Texas, but I do not want, in any way, to do big law. I've seen friends go through that and I am just not up to it.

[StarLightSpectre]

I think I'd want to end up back in Texas, but I do not want, in any way, to do big law. I've seen friends go through that and I am just not up to it.

If that's the case then you have ties in TX and if you do the work to get professional connections in Houston/TX, coming back can be done. But realize that you will be up against all the other TX schools and other students going out of state doing the same as you.

BTW what is the total cost for both?

[Prospecta8571]

Total tuition for Ark would be in the neighborhood of $36,000. UH would be $84,000, but UH is prone to increases. This does not include cost of living, which would be dramatically more in Houston because I would want to live close to campus (midtown or heights) and would have to use my car every day. In Ark, I could live within walking distance to campus, which is not advisable for UH. But in Houston I could be close to all of my family (and the beach), and Austin. Although Ark is really not that far away, maybe 8 hours, which is the drive from Houston to NOLA, which I have done quite a few times.

[StarLightSpectre]

Since you don't want big law and if you're willing to put the foot work in I don't think Ark is that bad of a choice as long as you get good grades.

[Oklahoma2014]

Don't forget how easy it is to gain Arkansas residency. There should have been an attachment with your scholarship, look over it if you have not.

[apeopleshistory]

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[rad lulz]

I wouldn't go to Arkansas wanting to end up in TX. It would be great to be in Houston so you can network and whatnot, maybe work for small firms or local govt. during the year. You can't do that at Arkansas.

[Prospecta8571]

The hope is that I would be able to do summer internships in TX while attending Ark, but with UT and UH this could prove impossible unless I contact every friend in Texas who has ties to the legal field and beg for an internship. Le sigh.