Top Law Schools

Hello, everyone. Because I heard from a couple schools very late in the cycle, I am still having a conflict deciding where to go. I currently live in Ohio, and I have ties in both Ohio and Florida. I want to work in Florida when I graduate. Financial costs of attending school are extremely important to me.

I am trying to decide between Emory, the University of Alabama, and Ohio State. I received $20,000/year from Emory, making tuition alone approximately $25,000. However, I visited this school and I loved it. I could definitely see myself living and working in Atlanta. The University of Alabama gave me $23,000 per year, renewable by being in the top 40% (making tuition approximately $7,000 for me). However, if I change my residency to Alabama, my scholarship converts to an $18,000/year scholarship (making tuition free). If I am outside of the top 40%, my scholarship changes to $10,000 for my 2L and 3L. I have not visited Tuscaloosa, but I plan to do so next week.

Ohio State gave me a scholarship for $13,000/year, with a 2.0 stipulation. This brings tuition to approximately $15,000 for me per year.

UF did not award me a scholarship, and FSU gave me $20,000 for the first year, which still makes tuition $20,000 per year if I claim residency for 2L and 3L, since I am currently out of state. Any and all advice would be very much appreciated.

Working in Florida from Alabama and Ohio will be tough. Emory may give you a shoot, but not a great shot. One of the Florida schools is probably the best bet to get you where you want to be, but UF at sticker is rough. Don't really know much about FSU.

No great choices, but FSU for ~$100k seems manageable and your best choice, considering your goals and ties.

How much debt would you end up with at each of the five schools?

Robespierre wrote:How much debt would you end up with at each of the five schools?

Emory: ~125,000$
OSU: ~60,000$
Alabama: ~35,000$
FSU: ~$100,000
UF: ~$130,000

You have a 4.0 and a 162. Why are you not retaking the LSAT?

tfleming09 wrote:You have a 4.0 and a 162. Why are you not retaking the LSAT?

I took it the maximum number of times

I'd probably do Alabama. Solid reputation in the state and that's a really affordable price. If you don't keep the scholarship consider dropping out.

Why don't you wait a cycle and Ed UVa day one. Lsn shows that they frequently take similarly numbered reverse splitters. It's better than any of these options.
If you go this year I'd go Ohio state.

top30man wrote:Why don't you wait a cycle and Ed UVa day one. Lsn shows that they frequently take similarly numbered reverse splitters. It's better than any of these options.
If you go this year I'd go Ohio state.

Because I can't afford the 50k/year tuition at UVA and there's very very little chance I would get a scholarship there =/

foreveryoungx01 wrote: Because I can't afford the 50k/year tuition at UVA and there's very very little chance I would get a scholarship there =/

So you're considering going 125K in the hole for Emory, which gives you a 25%ish chance of getting a good job, but not 200K in the hole for a 75% chance at a good job?

tfleming09 wrote:

foreveryoungx01 wrote: Because I can't afford the 50k/year tuition at UVA and there's very very little chance I would get a scholarship there =/

So you're considering going 125K in the hole for Emory, which gives you a 25%ish chance of getting a good job, but not 200K in the hole for a 75% chance at a good job?

Emory is half the tuition price of UVA, but I definitely agree with you... I'm currently waitlisted at UVA for this cycle and keep writing them LOCI's so hopefully I can get in this cycle. For the record, I'm also very hesitant to choose Emory because of the price.

foreveryoungx01 wrote:
Emory is half the tuition price of UVA, but I definitely agree with you... I'm currently waitlisted at UVA for this cycle and keep writing them LOCI's so hopefully I can get in this cycle. For the record, I'm also very hesitant to choose Emory because of the price.

Emory isn't worth it at that price. I live in Atlanta now and I can tell you that for sure.

Ride dat UVA waitlist, otherwise I personally would go to Bama.

tfleming09 wrote:

foreveryoungx01 wrote:
Emory is half the tuition price of UVA, but I definitely agree with you... I'm currently waitlisted at UVA for this cycle and keep writing them LOCI's so hopefully I can get in this cycle. For the record, I'm also very hesitant to choose Emory because of the price.

Emory isn't worth it at that price. I live in Atlanta now and I can tell you that for sure.

Ride dat UVA waitlist, otherwise I personally would go to Bama.

Thanks for the input!! Why don't you think it's worth it at that price? Just because of the job market after graduating from Emory?

foreveryoungx01 wrote:
Thanks for the input!! Why don't you think it's worth it at that price? Just because of the job market after graduating from Emory?

Market in ATL is 140Kish. Roughly the top third of Emory kids are landing jobs that are worthwhile that will allow them to service 6 figure debt. Middle third is landing small practice making less than 60K a year. Bottom third is boned. ATL hiring is still down but getting better.

Peep this, employment info 9 months out of class of 2010

Too risky. There's a 65-70% you WON'T land a job that justifies a six figure cost of attendance.

foreveryoungx01 wrote:

Robespierre wrote:How much debt would you end up with at each of the five schools?

Emory: ~125,000$
OSU: ~60,000$
Alabama: ~35,000$
FSU: ~$100,000
UF: ~$130,000

Oof, not great choices in a weak economy. OSU and Bama don't really make sense for FL yet still carry debt (and with Bama you could lose the scholly). As to Emory, tfleming said it all. I'd say FSU for good placement in FL and heavy but not outrageous debt.

Going to OSU and staying in OH isn't an option? That would make a lot of sense.

Best of luck.

Alabama.

P.S. You can get Florida from Alabama.

Alabama.