Full Ride from T2 vs No Money to T16 Forum

[PGal1690]

I am having a lot of trouble figuring out whether passing up a full ride or close to a full ride is going to be worth it for going to a better school. I would appreciate any opinions from members who have been or are in similar situations.

I am looking to get into BIGLAW. I am already $10k in debt from undergrad and will be financing my own legal education. I am from CA and want to work in LA after I graduate. I have a large network of connections in LA and am very good at networking and maintaining good relationships. I am honestly terrified of the $200K debt I am looking to get myself into but even more terrified to take on $35K+ from a lower ranked school and not be able to find a job. I didn't go to spectacular undergrad, although they are ranked #6 for the major I graduated with.

Here are my options
USC & NYU - haven't heard back
Northwestern - Waitlisted
UCLA - Waitlisted
University of Texas - admitted no $. Out-of-state tuition $49,244
UC Irvine - Dean's Scholarship $40k/year maintain 2.0gpa Tuition & fees: $46,804
Loyola (LA) - $30k/year maintain 3.2gpa. Tuition: $44,230
Pepperdine - Dean's Excellence Scholarship $46,000/year maintain 2.0gpa. Tuition: $44,920
University of San Diego - Dean's Honor Scholarship $40K/year "remain in good academic standing." Tuition: $45,600.

[rad lulz]

UT isn't a good idea for LA (and it's way too expensive), but the other schools aren't good ideas for biglaw (or legal jobs in general). Something's gotta give, or you gotta retake bro

[Dr. Dre]

don't take TTTT uc irvine.

[unc0mm0n1]

don't take TTTT uc irvine.

Dude seriously what did UCI do to you. I'm not saying it's a good school or anything but a persons choice could be Cooley, UCI , Regents and Peoples College of Law. You would still swoop in and say don't go to UCI. Did they reject you or something?

[Dr. Dre]

a persons choice could be Cooley, UCI , Regents and Peoples College of Law. You would still swoop in and say don't go to UCI.

In this situation I would definitely say to go to UCI.

Look at OP's list of schools. UCI is clearly the TTTT.

[ManoftheHour]

I'm having an incredibly hard time believing that there are things Dr. Dre hates more than UCI.

[Rahviveh]

I'm having an incredibly hard time believing that there are things Dr. Dre hates more than UCI.

Luke?

[Dr. Dre]

I'm having an incredibly hard time believing that there are things Dr. Dre hates more than UCI.

unaccredited law schools in California (apart from uci) and ESPECIALLY their graduates. Seems like the crappier the law school, the douchier the attorneys are...

[StylinNProfilin]

dont go to Texas at OOS sticker. What are ur numbers?

[PGal1690]

164 (90th%ile) and 3.74 undergrad gpa.

[drive4showLSAT4dough]

164 (90th%ile) and 3.74 undergrad gpa.

The more you browse around this thread, the more quickly it will become abundantly clear that your only reasonable option is to retake. Study for 3 months, get a 170, and enjoy $$ in the T-14.

[Dr. Dre]

retake in october

JUNE is toooooo soon

[PGal1690]

I am not going to take the LSAT again. I am trying to find the best option from what I was offered. I know going to a lower ranked school makes it hard to even get an interview with a top law firm but I am not sure if it's really worth the extra 140k+ to go to UT, UCLA or USC if I get in. As I mentioned I have a lot of connections in LA and could find mentors to take me under their wing. I know I will do well at a higher ranked school so I am not concerned with being on the lower end of the spectrum at these schools.

I am just not sure if I should "buy in" to the name brand and if the ROI will really be that significant.

[Crowing]

Wtf is a T16

[Gunnar Stahl]

I am not going to take the LSAT again. I am trying to find the best option from what I was offered. I know going to a lower ranked school makes it hard to even get an interview with a top law firm but I am not sure if it's really worth the extra 140k+ to go to UT, UCLA or USC if I get in. As I mentioned I have a lot of connections in LA and could find mentors to take me under their wing. I know I will do well at a higher ranked school so I am not concerned with being on the lower end of the spectrum at these schools.

I am just not sure if I should "buy in" to the name brand and if the ROI will really be that significant.

how do you know this?

[Dr. Dre]

Wtf is a T16

[hephaestus]

I am not going to take the LSAT again. I am trying to find the best option from what I was offered. I know going to a lower ranked school makes it hard to even get an interview with a top law firm but I am not sure if it's really worth the extra 140k+ to go to UT, UCLA or USC if I get in. As I mentioned I have a lot of connections in LA and could find mentors to take me under their wing. I know I will do well at a higher ranked school so I am not concerned with being on the lower end of the spectrum at these schools.

I am just not sure if I should "buy in" to the name brand and if the ROI will really be that significant.

If you want big law you have to retake. T16 isn't a thing and don't offer good prospects. Retake in June or likely doom yourself to high debt or no job, and or both.

[PRgradBYU]

Wtf is a T16

T16: A made-up term referred to by someone accepted to a #16 ranked school, in a frantic attempt to include their institution in a semi-elite group of law schools.

See also: T17, T34, T68.

[buddyt]

I know I will do well at a higher ranked school

lol

[unc0mm0n1]

Wtf is a T16

T16: A made-up term referred to by someone accepted to a #16 ranked school, in a frantic attempt to include their institution in a semi-elite group of law schools.

See also: T17, T34, T68.

171

[Newb2law]

Wtf is a T16

T16: A made-up term referred to by someone accepted to a #16 ranked school, in a frantic attempt to include their institution in a semi-elite group of law schools.

See also: T17, T34, T68.

I know this is from last year, but this post literally made me LOL +10000

[bk1]

No need to pointlessly bump a year old thread just because you found it ten thousands time hilarious.