Top Law Schools

So currently I've made plans to go to U. Maryland. And by plans I mean I already signed a lease on an apartment and everything else. But then don't I get an email from Boston College offering me a spot off the WL. Boston College was originally one of my top choices, and its closer to home for me (plus my sister lives in Boston).

So now I'm wondering is it worth considering switching to BC? Maryland is a lot cheaper, and its location right outside of DC is very appealing (ideally I would love to intern/work with the SEC at some point). But the location in Baltimore wasn't the best, and I like the city of Boston a lot better.

But then there's the cost. I didn't get offered money at Maryland (which I find strange since I got decent schollys from schools ranked a lot higher), but its still decently cheap, and even cheaper if I can establish residency my second year. BC is obviously reealllyyy expensive, not even adding in living costs. My parents have graciously offered to pay my way no matter where I go, but regardless, I plan on taking out loans to at least pay for half.

I would love to hear anyones input on this; I'm completely torn

What's total COA for both? I personally wouldn't pay sticker at either. Otherwise, go where you want to work.

rickgrimes69 wrote:What's total COA for both? I personally wouldn't pay sticker at either. Otherwise, go where you want to work.

Both are an estimated to be around 60k, but with Maryland residency I can get it for around 50k.

It shouldn't really be that difficult a decision. Unless you want to live/work in Baltimore upon graduation, which it sounds like you do not, then go to BC. Also, ask them for money. Just b/c you got in off waitlist doesn't mean you can't ask. Tell them what you told us - the school you plan to attend is cheaper and you've already signed a lease. Ask them to make it worth your while to switch. But you should probably go there regardless of their answer.

BC, it is a far better school with a home market.

I agree with what everyone here is saying, BC is a far better school, but I'm very committed on practicing some sort of Business Law (like I said working with the SEC or an accounting/auditing association would be ideal) and it doesn't look like BC offers hardly anything in that area. Maryland offers a lot of classes in the field.

dixon02 wrote:It shouldn't really be that difficult a decision. Unless you want to live/work in Baltimore upon graduation, which it sounds like you do not, then go to BC. Also, ask them for money. Just b/c you got in off waitlist doesn't mean you can't ask. Tell them what you told us - the school you plan to attend is cheaper and you've already signed a lease. Ask them to make it worth your while to switch. But you should probably go there regardless of their answer.

/thread

Marie34 wrote:I agree with what everyone here is saying, BC is a far better school, but I'm very committed on practicing some sort of Business Law (like I said working with the SEC or an accounting/auditing association would be ideal) and it doesn't look like BC offers hardly anything in that area. Maryland offers a lot of classes in the field.

BC has plenty of business law classes. I'm taking a bunch of them next semester alone.

Corporations
Mergers and Acquisitions
Tax I,II,III, Tax Policy, Tax Research
Secured Transactions
Securities Regulations
Insurance Law
International Business Transactions
International Arbitration
Law of Money
Start Ups & Venture Capital Finance
Antitrust
Business Bankruptcy
Business Immigration
Corporate Finance

That's a bit more than hardly anything. And Boston is home to the regional branch office of the SEC.

Marie34 wrote:Both are an estimated to be around 60k, but with Maryland residency I can get it for around 50k.

A year? Fuck that noise.

bostonlawchick wrote:

Marie34 wrote:I agree with what everyone here is saying, BC is a far better school, but I'm very committed on practicing some sort of Business Law (like I said working with the SEC or an accounting/auditing association would be ideal) and it doesn't look like BC offers hardly anything in that area. Maryland offers a lot of classes in the field.

BC has plenty of business law classes. I'm taking a bunch of them next semester alone.

Corporations
Mergers and Acquisitions
Tax I,II,III, Tax Policy, Tax Research
Secured Transactions
Securities Regulations
Insurance Law
International Business Transactions
International Arbitration
Law of Money
Start Ups & Venture Capital Finance
Antitrust
Business Bankruptcy
Business Immigration
Corporate Finance

That's a bit more than hardly anything. And Boston is home to the regional branch office of the SEC.

This is awkward, clearly I have no idea what I'm talking about haha. I swear the first time I looked I didn't see anything, then I did more research and I found all this.

Does anyone have any input on the student life at either of these schools? Maryland seemed like a very welcoming laid back environment, while I've heard BC tends to be very , for a lack of a better word, douchey.

Marie34 wrote:while I've heard BC tends to be very , for a lack of a better word, douchey.

Have you met a law student before? Law students are a special breed.

Marie34 wrote:

rickgrimes69 wrote:What's total COA for both? I personally wouldn't pay sticker at either. Otherwise, go where you want to work.

Both are an estimated to be around 60k, but with Maryland residency I can get it for around 50k.

Is this per year, or total?

Doorkeeper wrote:

Marie34 wrote:

rickgrimes69 wrote:What's total COA for both? I personally wouldn't pay sticker at either. Otherwise, go where you want to work.

Both are an estimated to be around 60k, but with Maryland residency I can get it for around 50k.

Is this per year, or total?

Per year unfortunately. Maryland tuition is 33 and BC is 44, so I'm not sure why or how the COA is around the same when there's a 11k difference in tuition. Room and Board seem to be relatively the same also.

Marie34 wrote:

Doorkeeper wrote:

Marie34 wrote:

rickgrimes69 wrote:What's total COA for both? I personally wouldn't pay sticker at either. Otherwise, go where you want to work.

Both are an estimated to be around 60k, but with Maryland residency I can get it for around 50k.

Is this per year, or total?

Per year unfortunately. Maryland tuition is 33 and BC is 44, so I'm not sure why or how the COA is around the same when there's a 11k difference in tuition. Room and Board seem to be relatively the same also.

I, and most people in this thread, would probably advise you against either school if you're paying for it yourself. Neither school has particularly strong job numbers to justify $150,000 to $240,000 in debt. If your parents are paying for it and it's not a financial burden for them, definitely go BC.

Marie34 wrote:Per year unfortunately. Maryland tuition is 33 and BC is 44, so I'm not sure why or how the COA is around the same when there's a 11k difference in tuition. Room and Board seem to be relatively the same also.

Attending BC at sticker price is a risky gamble at best, attending Maryland at sticker is retarded.

tfleming09 wrote:

Marie34 wrote:Per year unfortunately. Maryland tuition is 33 and BC is 44, so I'm not sure why or how the COA is around the same when there's a 11k difference in tuition. Room and Board seem to be relatively the same also.

Attending BC at sticker price is a risky gamble at best, attending Maryland at sticker is retarded.

Phrasing it like that may have just made my decision for me. Thanks for being blunt.

And for info, I'm paying for half and my parents are picking up the rest.

Marie34 wrote:Phrasing it like that may have just made my decision for me. Thanks for being blunt.

And for info, I'm paying for half and my parents are picking up the rest.

That's not a bad idea, getting out of BC for 90ish of debt is a pretty good deal. Enjoy Boston.

if u wanna work in the sec, i wouldnt go to law school. that's just me...thank me later

tfleming09 wrote:

Marie34 wrote:Phrasing it like that may have just made my decision for me. Thanks for being blunt.

And for info, I'm paying for half and my parents are picking up the rest.

That's not a bad idea, getting out of BC for 90ish of debt is a pretty good deal. Enjoy Boston.

+1

You got a great deal here. Make the right choice. BC it is. I would still ask them for money though haha

Don't pay sticker at Maryland