University of Oregon $10K or Syracuse 30K? Forum

[SteezyE]

Just wanting to get a few perspectives on my main two options for Fall 2012.

Oregon w/ 10k or Syracuse with 30k 2.8GPA?

Just visited Eugene and loved it. Have friends and support system there which I think would be great to have starting law school. I don't have too many qualms about the school and it's offerings, except perhaps a bit liberal for me (although undergrad at UC Davis has prepared me for that). I love the outdoors, and the area seems great (coming from a current snowboard instructor that is).

I will be visiting Syracuse in two weeks, so I cannot accurately form an opinion of the campus or area yet (I have never been to Central NY, though I don't necessarily mind prolonged periods of cold weather - so anyone wanting to chime in with info about the Syracuse area feel free). The money accompanying the Syracuse offer is great, and as of now is tickling my fancy quite nicely. The money comes with the stipulation that I maintain a 2.8 GPA. I have done much research on Syracuse's grading policy and curve, and though the possibility of losing the scholarship righteously scares me, the fact that their median has to be 2.9 - 3.1 is not horrible. I am cautiously optimistic I will be able to maintain a 2.8 GPA, and thus my scholarship.

So these are my options. I am excited about both, but of course want to ultimately make the right decision. My interest lies (generally speaking) in criminal law as well as with legislative work and public policy.

Any help would be great, thanks!

[timbs4339]

Where are you from/where do you want to practice? What is the total COA at both schools?

[CanadianWolf]

Oregon is not known for its conservative politics (both the state & the school) while the area immediately surrounding Syracuse University is a bit depressed & depressing. Venture out beyond the city of Syracuse to the Finger Lakes Region as well as to Lake Ontario both of which are very nice during warm weather. My point is that neither law school seems like a great match for you, but, between the two, Oregon is the better option unless you wanted to double major at Syracuse's renowned Maxwell School. Oregon's coast & the city of Portland make Eugene a more enjoyable environment. Syracuse gets bitterly cold during the winter months which makes the surrounding area even more depressing, in my opinion.

Regardless, a realistic possibility exists that you may not find gainful employment in the legal field within 9 months of graduation from either law school.

[thelawyler]

There needs to be much more info than this.

Goals?
Preferences?
GPA/LSAT?
Money an issue? etc

[SteezyE]

Thanks for the replies. Ultimately I want to live/work in DC, I have some connections there. I wouldn't mind starting out in the public sector, perhaps even prefer to. I am from Northern California, but have lived in DC before. I am in at American and W&L but flat out refuse to pay sticker. I like some of the options at Syracuse and will look closely at joint degree programs.

Total cost of living should not be all that different, Syracuse maybe even a little less than Eugene. I am not disillusioned about jobs after law school (either one for that matter), nor am I aiming for "biglaw." I am studying law to do what I want to do, not make what I wish to make.

Money is definitely an issue. I don't know many for which it is not. Minimizing my debt is a chief concern of mine as I aim to borrow no more than 60k total, thus staying within the federal direct amount of 20,500/yr. With that in mind, I feel I can make a pretty good investment with law school - both fiscally and professionally.

Thanks again!

[The Rover]

GPA/LSAT?

Hate to break it to you, but neither of these schools is going to get you DC.

[thelawyler]

In state tuition at Oregon? Sounds out of state. So total COA for 3 years at both?

And yeah, you won't get DC from either.

[SteezyE]

Out of state at Oregon, unfortunately Oregon is pretty strict about gaining residency as well.

You both must have misunderstood. I have no problems starting out as an LC in a House Office; again, may actually prefer that. And when I said DC I meant The Hill, not a clerckship for one of the nine. Sheesh, such negativity, learn to channel the quan.

I am wondering things about the schools mentioned, any one with personal experience at either?

[Icculus]

Out of state at Oregon, unfortunately Oregon is pretty strict about gaining residency as well.

You both must have misunderstood. I have no problems starting out as an LC in a House Office; again, may actually prefer that. And when I said DC I meant The Hill, not a clerckship for one of the nine. Sheesh, such negativity, learn to channel the quan.

I am wondering things about the schools mentioned, any one with personal experience at either?

They did not misunderstand, getting a job, any job in DC, is hard enough when you graduate from a school in the DC area, Oregon and Syracuse are not going to let you get your foot in toe door in DC, and while I would not recommend either W&L or American at sticker, in theory they would both give you a better shot. You need to realize Georgetown, UVA, and the T14 all place in DC, and Georgetown has an enormous class b/c of the night school. If you were #1 at Syracuse or Oregon 1L year you may break into DC. Sorry for the reality check, and GPA/LSAT would help you get some better advice here.

[kapachino]

Out of state at Oregon, unfortunately Oregon is pretty strict about gaining residency as well.

You both must have misunderstood. I have no problems starting out as an LC in a House Office; again, may actually prefer that. And when I said DC I meant The Hill, not a clerckship for one of the nine. Sheesh, such negativity, learn to channel the quan.

I am wondering things about the schools mentioned, any one with personal experience at either?

Wants a JD to help him sort the mail and run errands. Flame.

[kapital98]

Thanks for the replies. Ultimately I want to live/work in DC, I have some connections there. I wouldn't mind starting out in the public sector, perhaps even prefer to. I am from Northern California, but have lived in DC before. I am in at American and W&L but flat out refuse to pay sticker. I like some of the options at Syracuse and will look closely at joint degree programs.

Total cost of living should not be all that different, Syracuse maybe even a little less than Eugene. I am not disillusioned about jobs after law school (either one for that matter), nor am I aiming for "biglaw." I am studying law to do what I want to do, not make what I wish to make.

Money is definitely an issue. I don't know many for which it is not. Minimizing my debt is a chief concern of mine as I aim to borrow no more than 60k total, thus staying within the federal direct amount of 20,500/yr. With that in mind, I feel I can make a pretty good investment with law school - both fiscally and professionally.

Thanks again!

Good luck. Don't listen to the TLS haters. I'm sure they know everything about political offices due to extensive TLS conventional wisdom. Just in case they don't, it's not that hard to get a job on the hill.

With enough work you could get a job with a small non-profit or in the House. The pay will be awful, but you have almost no debt so it's not a big deal.

Also, Syracuse will give you a big advantage if you can get a masters in public administration while you get your law degree. That will be a big plus.

[thelawyler]

If you'd be okay using your JD and thousands of dollars of debt for that type of work... perhaps just work your way up as a paralegal?

[flem]

Good luck. Don't listen to the TLS haters. I'm sure they know everything about political offices due to extensive TLS conventional wisdom. Just in case they don't, it's not that hard to get a job on the hill.

With enough work you could get a job with a small non-profit or in the House. The pay will be awful, but you have almost no debt so it's not a big deal.

Also, Syracuse will give you a big advantage if you can get a masters in public administration while you get your law degree. That will be a big plus.

If it's not that hard just don't go to law school if that's what you want to do. You clearly don't need a JD to make coffee and pick up dry cleaning for some asshole senator.

[DCDuck]

You can get to DC from Oregon, especially if you have ties and good grades. That being said, perhaps a master's of public policy would better align with your interests and career goals.

[Wily]

From interning for half a year for a Senator on the Hill, it seems that most legislative AIDES are graduates from top universities, and I don't remember any JD's doing the job. To be legal counsel for the Congressman, though, probably requires at least 10 years of experience before you'd have a shot.

[CanadianWolf]

Legal counsel positions do not require 10 years of legal experience.

[SteezyE]

Good luck. Don't listen to the TLS haters. I'm sure they know everything about political offices due to extensive TLS conventional wisdom. Just in case they don't, it's not that hard to get a job on the hill.

With enough work you could get a job with a small non-profit or in the House. The pay will be awful, but you have almost no debt so it's not a big deal.

Also, Syracuse will give you a big advantage if you can get a masters in public administration while you get your law degree. That will be a big plus.

If it's not that hard just don't go to law school if that's what you want to do. You clearly don't need a JD to make coffee and pick up dry cleaning for some asshole senator.

Don't hate. I can make a mean cup of bean.