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I am from Michigan and likely want to practice here. I have a full tuition scholarship offer from Wayne State, Michigan State, and Villanova. My scholarships from both MSU and WSU have 3.0 GPA stipulations (median 1L GPAs for 2012: 3.14 at WSU and 3.0 at MSU). Additionally, at both schools if I lose my scholarship after 1L, I can retain it for my 3rd year as long as my GPA is above a 3.0 after year 2. My scholarship at Villanova only requires that I maintain good academic standing. I prefer Wayne to MSU because I would rather live/work in Detroit than Lansing, and I am also convinced it is a better school. 75% of the students that with full-tuition scholarships in the fall 2012 class kept their scholarship- and that was when the requirement was a 3.25 GPA.

I guess my question is-- Is the guaranteed scholarship enough to outweigh the higher cost of living and the fact that I don't think i want to practice in Philly long term?

I know you're asking about Wayne State v. Villanova, but if you're planning to stay in Michigan, did you consider applying to the U. of Michigan? Is your heart just set on either Wayne State or Villanova, for some reason (financial?)? Not trying to argue, just curious, since U. of Michigan has a much better reputation than either of those schools, FWIW.

Since you want to live & work in Michigan, Villanova is not a good option.

Almaz: I believe you have it exactly right. WSU for sure. And for free tuition: even better. Congrats.

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Make sure none of these schools have the practice of giving a bunch of scholarships then putting all the 1L's with scholarships in one section so they're forced to compete with each other to retain their scholarships.

Wayne State is the best of your options for your goals, but it still isn't a great option. Only half of their graduates get any sort of legal job, and only around 7% get big firm/big fed. 23% end up underemployed.

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=wayne

What is your ugpa and lsat score/number of lsat takes?

I forgot to mention that my family has a small firm in MI that I may end up joining regardless of where attend law school. I did not apply to Michigan because I couldn't justify the debt considering I don't want to work in "big law," and I am not worried about being unemployed because I have the family firm opportunity as a backup plan.

almaz wrote:I forgot to mention that my family has a small firm in MI that I may end up joining regardless of where attend law school. I did not apply to Michigan because I couldn't justify the debt considering I don't want to work in "big law," and I am not worried about being unemployed because I have the family firm opportunity as a backup plan.

Yeah this is the exact kind of scenario when a regional school with a full ride makes perfect sense. I don't know why people are saying to reapply to MI.

I think Wayne State would be best for you but first try and negotiate the scholarship stipulations and see if they will budge at all.

I tried to negotiate. They do negotiate dollar amounts, but stipulations are set in stone.

almaz wrote:I tried to negotiate. They do negotiate dollar amounts, but stipulations are set in stone.

In that case, it's still not bad. See if you can negotiate a living stipend.

I am visiting Villanova next week. I may end up asking for a living stipend, but the people I talked to made it seem like there was nothing else they could do.