Top Law Schools

I'm currently trying to choose a law school to go to. I'm a NJ resident currently at school in Maryland. I really want to be in the Northeast market for a carrer. NY/NJ/Philly. But would also consider MD or Chicago.

I got a 163 on my LSAT and have a 3.4 GPA as a double major in biology and psychology, minor in philosophy. My primary area of legal interest is biotech/pharma intellectual properties.

Right now I have offers from a very large number of schools, and I am having trouble choosing one.

Still waiting to hear from Cardozo.

Hofstra: 40K annual merit scholarship

Rutgers: 17k annual merit scholarship + instate tuition (25k)

Brooklyn: 10k annual scholarship.

Temple: 12K annual scholarship

Loyola Chicago: 13K annual scholarship

UMD: no money.

Depaul: Accepted into their INT. Prop. CIPLIT program. 20K annual scholarship.

Wait-listed: Nova, Northeastern

I got a full tuition scholarships to lower ranked schools, but I am not really considering these. (Quinnipiac, NYLS, ect)

I will not be waiting a cycle and retaking. So, if you all could focus on the schools named above I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for any input!

Temple or Rutgers.

Am I understanding correctly that Rutgers will only cost $8k/year?
If so, it's the best option by far
(are we talking Rutgers Newark or Rutgers Rowan?)

dingbat wrote:Am I understanding correctly that Rutgers will only cost $8k/year?
If so, it's the best option by far
(are we talking Rutgers Newark or Rutgers Rowan?)

yes, and it is Rutgers Newark.

Do you happen to know how its IPR program fairs in reputation in NY?

pfunks wrote:

dingbat wrote:Am I understanding correctly that Rutgers will only cost $8k/year?
If so, it's the best option by far
(are we talking Rutgers Newark or Rutgers Rowan?)

yes, and it is Rutgers Newark.

Do you happen to know how its IPR program fairs in reputation in NY?

Let's put it this way: their reputation is no worse than any other school you mentioned, but it'll still be an uphill climb, all things considered

NY hiring:
HYCN -> rest of T14 (to varying degree) -> Fordham -> Brooklyn/Bozo/Rutgers/(some other T1 schools) -> St John/Hofstra/CUNY -> everyone else

Note that Rutgers is behind Bozo and Brooklyn, but the Rutgers brand is strong enough, and there are enough alumni in town, to boost above most other schools.
Also, the above doesn't accurately reflect regional powerhouses with national reputations such as UCLA or Vandy, but for simplicity's sake I've left them off, but to some extent Rutgers reputation is a little overinflated, so depending on who's doing the hiring, it can be hard to predict (remember, outside of legal academia and prospective students , very few people read the rankings)