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I am deciding between SMU and Loyola Chicago law school for this Fall. I understand that SMU has higher rank and potentially better prospects coming out since there is not as much competition with other schools in Texas, especially Dallas. However, I prefer to live in Chicago. Costs would be roughly equal. I would greatly appreciate any advice and opinions on this.

Loyola. 91% of SMU graduates work in Dallas.

jharig1 wrote:I prefer to live in Chicago.

Loyola. Have fun in a much more awesome city than Dallas.

Probably Loyala Chicago, given your preference for Chicago overall.

LSAT/uGPA?

Total cost of attendance at Loyola?

My LSAT was 166 and my uGPA was 3.6. Total cost for Loyola would be a few thousand higher than SMU because of Chicago living expenses. I received more money from SMU, but they also have a higher tuition. If I go to SMU, I would plan on working and living in Dallas. I am mostly trying to decide if my desire to live in Chicago should outweigh my likely better job prospects of coming out of SMU versus Loyola.

jharig1 wrote:My LSAT was 166 and my uGPA was 3.6.

You shouldn't be looking at T2 schools with your numbers.

jharig1 wrote: I am mostly trying to decide if my desire to live in Chicago should outweigh my likely better job prospects of coming out of SMU versus Loyola.

This is what it comes down to. City preference or relatively better placement.

concurrent fork wrote:

jharig1 wrote:My LSAT was 166 and my uGPA was 3.6.

You shouldn't be looking at T2 schools with your numbers.

Unless Loyola is free, don't go.

What the hell are you looking at Loyola for with those numbers?

romothesavior wrote:

concurrent fork wrote:

jharig1 wrote:My LSAT was 166 and my uGPA was 3.6.

You shouldn't be looking at T2 schools with your numbers.

Unless Loyola is free, don't go.

What the hell are you looking at Loyola for with those numbers?

Where are you from? Those are t30 numbers.

I am from Indiana and went to Notre Dame for undergrad. For a variety of reasons, I did not have an interest in going to ND's law school or Indiana so I didn't apply to those. I previously interned at a law firm in Dallas so that's how I was turned on to SMU. Otherwise, I was looking at Chicago area schools.

jharig1 wrote:I am from Indiana and went to Notre Dame for undergrad. For a variety of reasons, I did not have an interest in going to ND's law school or Indiana so I didn't apply to those. I previously interned at a law firm in Dallas so that's how I was turned on to SMU. Otherwise, I was looking at Chicago area schools.

Like others have said, you could get into a better school and it may be worth sitting out a cycle to make it happen.

As far as SMU/Loyola... I would go to SMU, all things being equal. My rational is

Dallas: UT > SMU > everyone else

Chicago: UChicago > NW >>>>>>>>>>> Loyola > everyone else