Top Law Schools

I've pretty much already made up my mind, but just curious to see what feedback I would get.
I am interested in public policy/government/public service/environmental law

Big scholarship to UT austin, even bigger scholarship to University of Minnesota, sticker at Georgetown.

Georgetown has the best LRAP program (as long as you work in govt/public service you pay 0$, GULC pays your loan payments) but it would mean taking on a lot of debt.

thoughts? advice?

ps still haven't heard from Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan, or Duke, but considering my track record (waitlisted at UVA) seems very unlikely for all of those.

GULC's LRAP is pretty good, but not that good.

I would do some serious soul searching as to whether or not you want to live in DC for the next ten years before you make this choice. I like DC a lot, but it's not for everyone.

Furthermore, there's a strong chance you completely strike out on your public service career, even from GULC. What's your backup plan to practicing law?

edit> I think the real TCR here is going to be to retake.

n

what does TCR mean? what's a retake? hellz no am I ever taking the LSAT again. I studied my butt off for that over several months and I doubt just showing up and trying again will improve anything.

and like 95% of people coming out of GULC get a job 9 months out, I'm not too worried. I didn't have a problem getting a job out of undergrad, so I'm thinking with a law degree it should be even easier.

n

It's not 95%, it's 73%. I'm sort of getting the vibe you believe you're a special snowflake; no offense, but I'm not sure if any of these options are necessarily good ones.

How much money are you getting from UT, exactly?

not any kind of snowflake, just saying that if 73% of grads have jobs 9 months out that is the vast majority. Once in law school, doing well in classes, getting good internships, networking, and being involved in clinics and journals probably have a lot more to do with employment prospects than just where you are going to school.

if I went to texas, I would come out about 60k in debt, Minnesota about 10K in debt (thats mostly housing and living expenses) and GULC roughly 140K.

I really like DC, and I work for the federal govt now and am interested in continuing that after graduation.

Oh jeez. Stop whatever you're doing and go apply to GWU part time right now. If your agency will let you do a transfer to DC, having your JD done in 4 years with however much money you made in the bank and four extra years of work experience on your resume AND having a guaranteed job lined up if post-graduation options don't work out for you is far, far preferable to sticker at GULC.

Incidentally, GWU places as well, if not better in government than does GULC.

The naivete is strong with this one

I was hoping somebody who has attended or considered attending these schools could just offer some insight into their experiences?

any other recommendations or personal suggestions aren't that useful, thanks!

pdxdmouth2013 wrote:I was hoping somebody who has attended or considered attending these schools could just offer some insight into their experiences?

any other recommendations or personal suggestions aren't that useful, thanks!

We've found him, we've found the man who controls the internet.

pdxdmouth2013 wrote:I was hoping somebody who has attended or considered attending these schools could just offer some insight into their experiences?

any other recommendations or personal suggestions aren't that useful, thanks!

I recommend you learn some fucking respect. Other than that, I do not have any other helpful advice to offer.

pdxdmouth2013 wrote:I was hoping somebody who has attended or considered attending these schools could just offer some insight into their experiences?

any other recommendations or personal suggestions aren't that useful, thanks!

I go to UMN. My insights for you are:

1. Don't go to UMN unless you want to practice in Minnesota and are willing to work at a small firm.

2. Start listening to the posters on this thread - they're trying to help you and they know more than you do.

3. Be nicer.

not sure why everybody is so angry, thanks to the people who are chiming in with their personal insights. I was told these law school forums are a bad idea, now I see why!

pdxdmouth2013 wrote:not sure why everybody is so angry, thanks to the people who are chiming in with their personal insights. I was told these law school forums are a bad idea, now I see why!

It is much better just looking at the statistics that the schools game and when someone points out why you are making a mistake just stick your fingers in your ears and yell "la la la la I cant hear you right now".

I think you will fit in just fine working for the government, you really should not worry.

pdxdmouth2013 wrote:not sure why everybody is so angry, thanks to the people who are chiming in with their personal insights. I was told these law school forums are a bad idea, now I see why!

Seriously. Ignorance is bliss. Don't let us ruin your day.

pdxdmouth2013 wrote:not sure why everybody is so angry, thanks to the people who are chiming in with their personal insights. I was told these law school forums are a bad idea, now I see why!

Hellz yea, theze forums are totes a bad idea!!!! you got dis!!!!

dont listen to teh haterz, youre going to break da mold!

...

Or you could think back to the state of mind you had when you started the thread. You know, the one that admitted there were likely other students who had done a comparable or greater amount of research and could offer you some valuable perspective? Maybe help you see the forest from the trees?

TX seems like a solid choice at that price. A much better choice that GULC for most people, but you do not seem to be that interested in working in TX so maybe it is not that great of an opportunity despite the cheaper costs. GULC at sticker does seem like a lot and even though the LRAP is good, it would be fairly risky to rely on it (also are you sure that those COAs are correct, 140k seems low, did you factor in interest, COL, etc. etc.).

Still, there are good chance you come out with a decent outcome from GUCL, but that still is a lot of debt. I like the GW part-time option better but you seem to not have pursued that. I don't know, no great options, but not the terrible end/self options that some people on here ask about.

pdxdmouth2013 wrote:not sure why everybody is so angry, thanks to the people who are chiming in with their personal insights. I was told these law school forums are a bad idea, now I see why!

you asked for advice even though your mind is made up. You got some advice, and now you don't like it. Fine. You don't have to take the advice. However, your three choices are all over the map. Where do you want to work ( other than a few select schools; none of which you have listed) you are looking at a very big chance of working within the state where the law school is located. It is also important to know where you have ties ( because networking is great and all, but you have to convince employer that you are not a flight risk- both on your resume, and in the interview).

There is a search function where students at these schools can share their experiences. use it, find the schools you are considering, and go from there. Or, in the alternative( which is the path you decided to take), you create a thread and people responded. Don't like / value the responses- simply ignore them, and continue on your merry way.

GULC for 140k in debt at graduation probably isn't as bad as people in this thread are making out for someone with OP's work history.

Texas might be the best decision from a financial prospective, if you're ok being in Texas. Otherwise, I think Georgetown is a good call. Minn. is going to be pretty restrictive for after law school.

HP5450 wrote:Texas might be the best decision from a financial prospective, if you're ok being in Texas. Otherwise, I think Georgetown is a good call. Minn. is going to be pretty restrictive for after law school.

Posts: 2

Nice. There should be a forum that only allows posting by users with under 100 posts. That way, the noobs can pat each other on the back and have a place where they can gradually learn to be mean to each other in a safe environment.

Is it more than 140K at GULC, did you just include tuition?

I'm making popcorn. please, all, continue