Top Law Schools

From ATL (http://abovethelaw.com/2014/03/the-u-s- ... restige/2/)

On the flip side of that coin, Suffolk Law in Boston went from #144 last year to unranked this year. That’s $45K to go to a now unranked law school in the competitive Boston market. Suffolk was ranked #135 just two years ago. People graduating from Suffolk Law this spring started off going to a middling law school in Boston, but they’re graduating from an expensive private school that isn’t even ranked. And it’s not like Suffolk is going to give any of its students a discount or rebate for the school’s fall from U.S. News grace. My prediction for Suffolk Law graduates: Pain.

Suffolk students, current and prosective, what are your thoughts?

I guess that Suffolk must have been a really smart investment two years ago.

retake

Don't go to Suffolk.

I don't go to Suffolk, but I work at a law office in Boston and some of the other paralegals go to Suffolk PT. Some have already graduated and passed the Bar, but still can't find jobs in the area so are back working as paralegals/legal assistants, JDs and all.

Suffolk is in a really tough position because they're no better than the fifth-best law school in the Boston area but are just as expensive as BC, BU and Northeastern. The employment numbers are abysmal (<40% in full time legal jobs; 9% BigLaw) and you're competing for a limited number of jobs against a TON of other law graduates.

Even if you get a full ride + COL stipend (and I don't know if that's even possible at Suffolk), the opportunity cost of spending 3 years getting a law degree that gives you less than a coin flip chance at a legal job of any kind (and basically no shot at BigLaw) isn't worth it, IMO. Not even worth considering if it means any kind of debt. If you really, really, really want to work for a small firm or PI in Boston and aren't spending a dime, Suffolk might be justifiable. But I can't say I would recommend it.