Choosing school in New England Forum

[dean414]

Hey there everyone. I am in the midst of my decision making process and would like some honest feedback.
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-The schools you are considering
-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each. COA = cost of tuition + fees + books + cost of living (COL) + accumulated interest - scholarships. Here is a helpful calculator.
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)
-Your general career goals
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
-How many times you have taken the LSAT
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First off, I am from CT and went to college in Massachusetts. I want to work in Boston after graduation and have significant ties in Boston/MA and Hartford.

I wouldn't say I have general career goals. I want to concentrate my practice in civil defense doing environmental, toxic torts, products liability. I have had a few internships, took classes abroad and now work full time as a legal assistant. Through this I have seen quite a bit of the legal practice and have found what I liked (and more importantly what I haven't liked).

I graduated with a B.A. in Economics, Spanish and Political science. Unfortunately, my GPA was far from stellar, finishing with a 3.1 (due to some poor elective class choices and a less than ideal freshman year)

My first LSAT I took October 2012. I was PTing in the 165 range and absolutely shit the bed on test day scoring a 147. I was very discouraged with that result and didn't get my act together until after graduation. I really studied my ass off for October '13 LSAT and got a 163. I know to many on this board this is a shit score, but I'm glad I actually scored to my abilities. I debated taking for a third time, but seeing as my best PT's weren't far off and didn't want to risk scoring below that.

Schools I applied to (All New England)

UConn (Evening Division) - Accepted - 15k First year merit scholarship (Still waiting to hear on need based grant), puts total tuition for 3 years under 60K. Total COA is the same as I have family that lives ten minutes from the campus. I would be working close to full time and have enough saved so that I wouldn't have to take loans.

Northeastern - Accepted - 90k plus 8,000 in stipend money. Total tuition would cost roughly 40K, total COA with living costs would be over 60k. ( I sent a negotiation letter yesterday. I saw somewhere they don't negotiate but it can't hurt to try)

Boston University - No decision yet - Figure if I'm even accepted I will be paying sticker.Total COA would be upwards of 175K -

Boston College - Boston University - No decision yet - Figure if I'm even accepted I will be paying sticker.Total COA would be upwards of 175K

Tier 3/4

Western New England - Accepted - Full ride, would commute from Hartford Ct to Springfield if I went. COA = 0

Rogerwilliams (RI) - Accepted - Full ride. Only pay living expenses

New England School of Law - Accepted - Full ride (Living expenses in Boston)

Suffolk - Accepted - No scholarship info yet.

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At this point my decision is boiling down to UConn v. Northeastern. I have grown up down the street from UConn law my whole life. It is a beautiful campus, great faculty and I have a great feeling about the new Dean and the direction he will take the school. However, I want to work in Boston and have my concerns about how UConn will get me there.

Northeastern is very appealing to me because of their co-op system. It is really the only school I am considering in Boston at the moment because of the financial considerations.

Kicker is, I am still considering taking in June and maybe sitting out a cycle if I improve, or hope it will get me better money from my current considerations.

What do you think? Fire away

[Otunga]

If you were okay with working in CT, then maybe UConn, but it's not a great option. Likewise, RWU for free is okay if you're good with working in RI or depending on ties to snag something in CT. None of the choices are good for Boston. BC at sticker, for instance, would be way too much. Northeastern at 60k is overpaying...I'd only consider Northeastern at basically free or almost. You have to retake if you're all-in on Boston.

[Mack.Hambleton]

Retake

[objctnyrhnr]

People at BC are having trouble finding jobs (and no, not just biglaw). Imagine how tough it is for weaker schools in the area. retake.

[Hitchensian]

1) Retake
2) Even if you don't retake, this thread is premature with decisions at BC & BU pending.
3) Regardless, stay away from those Tier 3/4 schools. Even if they're "free" they're still not worth wasting 3 years of your life attending.

[dean414]

1) Retake
2) Even if you don't retake, this thread is premature with decisions at BC & BU pending.
3) Regardless, stay away from those Tier 3/4 schools. Even if they're "free" they're still not worth wasting 3 years of your life attending.

Even still. People at bu with my numbers are being wait listed . I'm not prepared to pay sticker at bu/bc. Want to negotiate northeastern but prepared to start studying for June LSAT retake in April given circumstances . I want. Uconn but have feeling it won't get me to Boston . Thanks for feedback everyone

[banjo]

You can say that you're interested in products liability and toxic torts, but for the purposes of getting a job, you should really be open to practicing any kind of law. Employers want people who would be happy doing whatever kind of work the firm happens to have.

If you go to UConn, you should be open to practicing in Connecticut. Even then, finding a legal job will be an uphill battle. I don't think it's a good choice, even for free.

[JustHawkin]

If you're dead set on Boston, sit out this cycle and retake. If you're comfortable with CT, retake for more money. Don't leave any money on the table.

[spleenworship]

YHCN followed by whichever B is better (haven't been paying attention), or retake. /thread.