Top Law Schools

Grew up and went to undergrad in California. Moved out to NYC to work for 2 years.

I love both Seattle and Boston so I don't really have a preference as to where I want to practice.

I find UW appealing because it's the best school in the Pacific Northwest but am concerned about the small legal market/lack of opportunities.

I also like BC because of its location (Boston, NYC, DC) but am concerned about the competition from Harvard, BU, Northeastern, and a bunch of other East coast schools.

Where should I go if I want more stability (employment prospects and legal market)?

Feedback and thoughts appreciated.

Thanks!

Cost of attendance for each?

Without ties to the Pacific Northwest you'll probably have an uphill battle. Boston may be a bit more receptive but you'll also face inquiries into your ties and motives. Cook up some ties bro.

Anywhere else you are thinking about?

stillwater wrote:Without ties to the Pacific Northwest you'll probably have an uphill battle. Boston may be a bit more receptive but you'll also face inquiries into your ties and motives. Cook up some ties bro.

Anywhere else you are thinking about?

Good point. Still waiting on a bunch of T14s.

bluepenguin wrote:Cost of attendance for each?

Waiting for scholly info in feb. Got in both schools early Dec.

All things being equal I'd take BC. But, without information about scholarships and other acceptances, the inquiry is premature.

BC placed 30% into Biglaw/Federal clerkships, and 68% total into long-term full time legal jobs.
UW placed 15% into Biglaw/Federal clerkships, and 51% total into long-term full time legal jobs.

If you really have no regional preference and don't know the cost difference yet, BC seems like a clear winner. However, you're going to need a significant scholarship to make either of these schools worthwhile.

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=bc
http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=washington

Thanks everyone. Forgive me if I sound stupid but rankings don't really matter right? UW jumped to the 20th slot whereas BC has remained stagnant for the past few years.

Also to the person who voted UW - What's your reasoning?

whatsup2b wrote:Thanks everyone. Forgive me if I sound stupid but rankings don't really matter right? UW jumped to the 20th slot whereas BC has remained stagnant for the past few years.

Also to the person who voted UW - What's your reasoning?

Ya dude I predict UWs jump in the rankings will lead to employers fleeing stagnant Boston skoolz for UW in DROVES

http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNL ... 2543436520

When it comes to biglaw placement, these are not peer schools. If you don't want biglaw, go to whichever is cheapest.

PM'd

BC if equal COA. But don't go to BC at sticker.

ndirish2010 wrote:BC if equal COA. But don't go to BC at sticker.

Also, ties. Get them.

Suralin wrote:

ndirish2010 wrote:BC if equal COA. But don't go to BC at sticker.

Also, ties. Get them.

I think going to BC would be solid for Boston (though not as good as if you had grown up there obviously). That is probably not true of the PNW.

rad lulz wrote:

whatsup2b wrote:Thanks everyone. Forgive me if I sound stupid but rankings don't really matter right? UW jumped to the 20th slot whereas BC has remained stagnant for the past few years.

Also to the person who voted UW - What's your reasoning?

Ya dude I predict UWs jump in the rankings will lead to employers fleeing stagnant Boston skoolz for UW in DROVES

What I meant was does UW's jump in rankings improve employment prospects for UW grads in the PNW? Reputation, portability, etc.

Suralin wrote:

ndirish2010 wrote:BC if equal COA. But don't go to BC at sticker.

Also, ties. Get them.

Note taken. Network like crazy during 1L.

ndirish2010 wrote:

Suralin wrote:

ndirish2010 wrote:BC if equal COA. But don't go to BC at sticker.

Also, ties. Get them.

I think going to BC would be solid for Boston (though not as good as if you had grown up there obviously). That is probably not true of the PNW.

Haha why do you say that? What do natives say of Boston?

whatsup2b wrote:

rad lulz wrote:

whatsup2b wrote:Thanks everyone. Forgive me if I sound stupid but rankings don't really matter right? UW jumped to the 20th slot whereas BC has remained stagnant for the past few years.

Also to the person who voted UW - What's your reasoning?

Ya dude I predict UWs jump in the rankings will lead to employers fleeing stagnant Boston skoolz for UW in DROVES

What I meant was does UW's jump in rankings improve employment prospects for UW grads in the PNW? Reputation, portability, etc.

Probably not, because UW is already the top school in the PNW (leaving aside whether Stanford/Berkeley place well in the PNW - I have no idea). Employers who already liked UW will still like UW, but employers who wanted someone from a national school (T-14 or whatever subset) aren't going say, I was going to hire this Harvard grad, but I'll go with the UW grad instead because UW jumped in the rankings. They're still entirely different categories of school.

whatsup2b wrote:

Suralin wrote:

ndirish2010 wrote:BC if equal COA. But don't go to BC at sticker.

Also, ties. Get them.

Note taken. Network like crazy during 1L.

What is the deal with "getting ties"? Is this possible?

I apologize for the threadjack but does having extended family in the area count as ties?

francesfarmer wrote:

whatsup2b wrote:

Suralin wrote:

ndirish2010 wrote:BC if equal COA. But don't go to BC at sticker.

Also, ties. Get them.

Note taken. Network like crazy during 1L.

What is the deal with "getting ties"? Is this possible?

I apologize for the threadjack but does having extended family in the area count as ties?

In my case finding a spouse in my target market within the next 12 months

whatsup2b wrote:

ndirish2010 wrote:

Suralin wrote:

ndirish2010 wrote:BC if equal COA. But don't go to BC at sticker.

Also, ties. Get them.

I think going to BC would be solid for Boston (though not as good as if you had grown up there obviously). That is probably not true of the PNW.

Haha why do you say that? What do natives say of Boston?

I grew up in Boston, and I can tell you it is a very insular city. Having never lived there you are going to need a compelling story as to why you want to stay in Boston and why you are not a flight risk. I lived in or around the city for 30+ years and when I went through OCI I faced questions as to why I left the city for school in Chicago and if I was really serious about coming back, so be ready for that.

francesfarmer wrote:

whatsup2b wrote:

Suralin wrote:

ndirish2010 wrote:BC if equal COA. But don't go to BC at sticker.

Also, ties. Get them.

Note taken. Network like crazy during 1L.

What is the deal with "getting ties"? Is this possible?

I apologize for the threadjack but does having extended family in the area count as ties?

Yes, I'm pretty sure. You just need to convince the firm interviewing you that you won't jump ship, and ties are a good way to do so, particularly in insular legal markets (like Boston). Although, as noted above, going to BC is probably a good enough tie.

ETA: Scooped.

Is the PNW an insular legal market like Boston?

I've heard a couple times that people who are from Boston tend to do better at BC OCI. That wouldn't surprise me, considering I've heard the same thing about other schools (ie Texas natives doing better at UT OCI). I don't know what this really means for small firms, but you're probably not gonna get a job at OCI from BC, so I'd keep that in mind.

Frankly, bc you're not from Boston, I wouldn't go unless it's close to being free

francesfarmer wrote:Is the PNW an insular legal market like Boston?

Incredibly insular.