Top Law Schools

This is my first time posting to this forum, but it seems like the best place for this question.

I'm considering applying for admission to Thompson Rivers University (TRU), which is a new Canadian law school opened in 2011. I would be in the third class beginning in 2013.

How risky is it to attend a new law school?

New law schools aren't opened all that often, and I'm afraid that my degree will be largely worthless over time if the school's reputation ends up being less than stellar.

The reasons I'm considering applying at TRU:
1. I grew up in Kamloops, which is where TRU is located, and I loved it there and would love to move back.
2. My dad has an independent law office in Kamloops that after I graduate I could work at and take over when he retires. They mostly do wills and probates.
3. My parents still live in Kamloops and I would have free lodging during school.

Since I'm not looking to take on a position at a top law firm or clerking for any judges, does it really matter what school I go to? Also, It's pretty much this law school or no law school as I can't afford to attend other schools.

My background:
MBA from a US state school, 4.0 GPA - Graduation 2008
BA from US Private school, 3.89 GPA - Graduation 2004
12 years working full-time professional capacities (mostly as an analyst). I am currently a senior manager at a large US financial institution.

I'm looking to go to law school to make a career change that allows for more independence and less corporate politics. Not that I'm doing bad playing the corporate political game; I'm just tired of it.

Thanks for any help or guidance you can provide!

weak flame 6/10 would not read again

rickgrimes69 wrote:weak flame 6/10 would not read again

I don't think this is necessarily flame... but then again...

OP, probably hard for posters to give advice since it is a Canadian law school. Probably risky would be my guess, although if your situation is as you describe with job you can take from father then that obviously is a strong mitigating factor.

It's a little different in your situation. Because with no scholly you are looking at 18K for tuition per year, unlike the situation most students face on here where that number is often 40K.

So while 54K for a JD isn't a crushing amount of debt, it is 54K you have to pay back.

If you go for it, go with realistic expectations. I am by a no means an expert on Canadian law schools or the BC legal market. But TRU is the third best law school in BC, and I do know the BC legal market isn't great right now (but honestly, the legal market isn't great anywhere). So you may have some difficulty landing jobs when you're competing with UBC and UVic especially if you decide to work in Vancouver. If you decide to stay in Kamloops I'd imagine that would be less of an issue.

ETA: Check out lawstudents.ca you will probably get more informed responses there pertaining to Canadian law schools.

Don't leave your current jerb bro

Retake

TRU is fine since it's in your home market & you'll be hired by your father's law firm. For more extensive discussion, try "lawstudents.ca".

No scholarship seems impossible.

Given your GPA, even a decently good LSAT would give you entrance to almost any school, many with Scholarships.

If you're gonna leave your job for Law School, go somewhere with Full ride, then go take your dad's practice. No debt >>>>>> 50K+ debt.

Thanks everyone for the quick replies and feedback. I'll checkout that other forum and look into scholarship options from various schools. Thanks again!