Penn State v. Kentucky Forum

[kebUVA2012]

Which should I choose?

Employment prospects, rankings, quality of life, etc?

[bdole2]

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=182003

Also, where are you from? Where do you want to work? Total cost of attendance at each school?

Need more info buddy.

[kebUVA2012]

Sorry, my first post.

I really don't care where I work, probably in Virginia (where I'm from).

I have $15k from each school making UK $27k and Penn State $47k.

Pretty much my whole family has gone to Penn State, but I've lived in KY for a couple years and my family knows several lawyers in the Louisville area. I also have a pretty solid job offer from a family friend in Richmond, VA for next summer if I want it.

[rad lulz]

.

[kebUVA2012]

I'm not trying to sound like a pretentious jerk, I promise. I'm just trying to give some information.

When I visited UK they said it was kind of hard to find jobs in the summer after first year, so I thought it would help to know that I may have a job offer in Richmond. It's a small firm, so I'm not sure if it could lead to post-graduate employment.

I would not be taking out any loans most likely, my parents are willing to front the money (at least for UK, Penn State is pushing it).

[noleknight16]

If you want to work in Virginia, go to a school in Virginia. URichmond is a great option if you want to work in that city.

[rad lulz]

.

[kebUVA2012]

Yeah, I'm waitlisted and hoping to get in.

But if I don't get into Richmond, which (UK v. PSU) would be the better option? I don't mind living in either state, if that helps.

[noleknight16]

Yeah, I'm waitlisted and hoping to get in.

But if I don't get into Richmond, which (UK v. PSU) would be the better option? I don't mind living in either state, if that helps.

Is a retake possible? I don't see either getting you back to Virginia easily.

[kebUVA2012]

I mean I would really like to go to school now... I feel like I would absolutely never want to go back to school after a year or two off.

But I'm not opposed to living in KY or PA. I would like to eventually end up in Virginia if possible, but that doesn't need to be immediate. And I go to UVa now, will that not help me at all?

[noleknight16]

I mean I would really like to go to school now... I feel like I would absolutely never want to go back to school after a year or two off.

But I'm not opposed to living in KY or PA. I would like to eventually end up in Virginia if possible, but that doesn't need to be immediate. And I go to UVa now, will that not help me at all?

It's really not that bad going through 1 year off school, trust me. I was opposed to it too, but I didn't like my options (Syracuse $$ and Miami full price). Took the year off and improved my LSAT only 3 points. Now I'm in at UF FSU SMU and waitlisted at Washington and Lee and Emory. It's not the ultimate success story, but it proves how every point matters. Just a few points and you won't have to deal with either of those average schools.

I think a huge issue is both of your options are just meh. It doesn't appear you have any sort of connection to either state, yet you do in VA. Stay in VA. If that means a retake then so be it.

[kebUVA2012]

I understand that taking a year off is a good and very sensible choice for some. I know a ton of people who have done it/are doing it. On the other hand, it's just really not in the cards for me at this point.

My entire extended family lives in PA and I have lived in Louisville before and my family knows several lawyers in the area. So I feel like I do have ties to both states. And if I get into Richmond, then I'll definitely go there, but that's still up in the air.

I just really want to know if UK or PSU would be the better choice just in general. PSU is ranked lower but they seem to have a better national reputation (even though they are a regional school). Do rankings really matter that much? Lexington is much cheaper than housing around University Park.

I know they're not the best options, but I knew that going into applying. I'm just looking for some help before I have to commit to a school.

[noleknight16]

I understand that taking a year off is a good and very sensible choice for some. I know a ton of people who have done it/are doing it. On the other hand, it's just really not in the cards for me at this point.

My entire extended family lives in PA and I have lived in Louisville before and my family knows several lawyers in the area. So I feel like I do have ties to both states. And if I get into Richmond, then I'll definitely go there, but that's still up in the air.

I just really want to know if UK or PSU would be the better choice just in general. PSU is ranked lower but they seem to have a better national reputation (even though they are a regional school). Do rankings really matter that much? Lexington is much cheaper than housing around University Park.

I know they're not the best options, but I knew that going into applying. I'm just looking for some help before I have to commit to a school.

UK since it's cheaper. Just know Kentucky is very insular.

[Nelson]

PSU is ranked lower but they seem to have a better national reputation (even though they are a regional school). Do rankings really matter that much? Lexington is much cheaper than housing around University Park.

Neither of these schools have any national reputation at all. Penn State barely has any placement power in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

[kebUVA2012]

I really appreciate all of the feedback, you guys. Any insight really does help, even the harsh comments!

[NoleMatt]

Retake, ED to UVA

[kebUVA2012]

Ugh, I wish I could go to UVa. They only accept 7% of undergrads that apply. They're always trying to build their alumni base and since I'll already be a part of it, they don't want me.

[noleknight16]

Ugh, I wish I could go to UVa. They only accept 7% of undergrads that apply. They're always trying to build their alumni base and since I'll already be a part of it, they don't want me.

They'll gladly accept you with the proper LSAT and GPA

[kebUVA2012]

Do the rankings between PSU and UK matter???

[noleknight16]

Do the rankings between PSU and UK matter???

No.

[JD Janitor]

Do the rankings between PSU and UK matter???

I venture to say no. Look how much schools fluctuate from year to year. Its possible that within the 3 years you are there, the schools will be ranked very differently from when you went in. The ultimate goal is a good job. The question should be what school can get you a decent paying job.

[kebUVA2012]

So if the rankings don't matter, then how do I choose??

[bdole2]

So if the rankings don't matter, then how do I choose??

Would you rather live/work in Kentucky? or Pennsylvania?

That is how you choose.

If neither, then you need to take a year off and reapply. Why is this option "not in the cards" for you at this point?

[kebUVA2012]

Basically my parents won't help me pay for school if I wait, they just don't see the point. It may not seem like a huge deal, but coming out with debt doesn't seem great at this point.

I'm still waiting on a few places... so hopefully that will make a difference. I'm also in at DePaul and South Carolina, but I figured those weren't great options from what I have read on this website. That's why I'm trying to decide between UK and PSU.

So any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[bdole2]

Basically my parents won't help me pay for school if I wait, they just don't see the point. It may not seem like a huge deal, but coming out with debt doesn't seem great at this point.

Use the skills you would use as a future litigator and explain to your parents that if you retook the LSAT that you could get better scholarships to schools like these and that it would result in less money that they would have to pay.