Tennessee vs. Maryland vs. Florida (vs. Notre Dame) Forum

[h2oplyer7]

Hello everyone! I have already posted this once before in another thread, but since I am totally indecisive I want more comments.

So here is my situation. I am a 32-year old Air Force Captain who is going back to school. I have the full Post 9/11 GI Bill with Yellow Ribbon. I have $250,000 in the bank so money is not too much of an object for me. I am moderate/conservative in my politics and Roman Catholic. These are my options:

University of Tennessee (completely free + $900 a month for living expenses from GI Bill)
University of Florida (OOS tuition, $17,500 from Post 9/11 GI Bill + $1200 a month for living expenses from GI Bill)
University of Maryland (OOS tuition, $17,500 from Post 9/11 GI Bill + $2000 a month for living expenses from GI Bill)

WAITLISTED at Notre Dame ($27,500 from GI Bill if I get in and $750 a month for living expenses from GI Bill)

Ok, which of these options would you take if you were me?

ALSO: I am interested in any sort of law that has to do with business, taxes or securities.

[heeloftar]

Where do you want to practice?

[abc12345675]

Depends on where you want to work. If you want a shot at NYC or Chicago, go to ND. If you want to live in the south, go to Tennessee, if you want to practice in Florida, go to UF, and if you like Baltimore go to Maryland.

[h2oplyer7]

I have visited all of these places and would have no problem practicing anywhere, but I think I would like to retire in San Francisco or New England.

Do you think there is a big enough ranking difference in the schools that I should pay for Notre Dame over Tennessee?

[Slevin Kelevra 2011]

Out of these, go with whichever is cheapest or in the market you want to work in (assuming you consider Tennessee a market).

[OraWalker]

Hello! Judging from the opinions of my friends I can say that the lace in Florida is the best one of the list you have provided. It gives you education of really high quality and the campus is considerably convenient.
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[sgoodman]

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[diegoforlan10]

Hello! Judging from the opinions of my friends I can say that the lace in Florida is the best one of the list you have provided. It gives you education of really high quality and the campus is considerably convenient.
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This account rules.

In response to OP - I also got into Maryland (actually I think I remember you from the thread - I'm also an h2o player, and we both knew Kyle S) but I decided against attending, despite the fact that I have lifelong ties to Baltimore. I chose Illinois instead. My decision was simple, I wanted to go to whichever school gave me the best statistical chance at landing a job, no matter the market. Illinois' job prospects, while nowhere near as good as the t14, are significantly better than Maryland's, to the point where I am willing to uproot myself for to attend.

Since money is not a serious consideration for you (how did you save up $250,000?? All my military friends complain about how awful the pay is), I would recommend doing the same thing I did. Do the research, crunch the numbers, find out which school has the best job prospects, and enroll.

IMHO the difference in rankings between the schools is not significant enough for you to base your decision strictly upon them. The rankings will always change year to year, somewhat arbitrarily.

But also, I don't really know anything and all I'm doing is regurgitating the knowledge I've gleaned from all over these forums.

[Doorkeeper]

I have visited all of these places and would have no problem practicing anywhere, but I think I would like to retire in San Francisco or New England.

Do you think there is a big enough ranking difference in the schools that I should pay for Notre Dame over Tennessee?

All of these schools are extremely regional in scope (with the slight exception of Notre Dame). If you want to go to law school this year, you need to pick the school in the geographic location that you want to work in after school.

That is the deciding factor here.

[h2oplyer7]

Thanks everyone!

I think I am going to choose Florida.

To answer the question regarding family, I don't have any. So I will be striking out on my own.

[abc12345675]

Thanks everyone!

I think I am going to choose Florida.

To answer the question regarding family, I don't have any. So I will be striking out on my own.

Why Florida?

[ran12]

Thanks everyone!

I think I am going to choose Florida.

To answer the question regarding family, I don't have any. So I will be striking out on my own.

Why Florida?

Obviously the babes

[Nightrunner]

This account rules.

Please avoid quoting spam. It just makes spam more successful.

[h2oplyer7]

I am interested in tax law. I think Florida is a good choice because of that. Plus, I like warmer environments.