UGA at 10k a yr or Bama at 6k a yr tuition Forum

[thevuch]

from bham al. got some ties in alabama. not a whole lot. dont know if i want to be stuck in bama forever.

UGA offers a decent shot at atlanta ( i know its a rough market) and it seems like UGA is more portable in the south east/lower east coast than bama. is this mistaken?

and my guess is that a UGA degree translates better to bama than the other way around. do yall think this is true?

definitely want to stay in the south. COA the same at both places.

thanks. and yes im considering a retake. best lsat 165. but if you want to say retake, then say it, but if you would, please, pick one as well and say why

thanks much

-The schools you are considering
UGA, bama.
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
family
-Your general career goals
i just dont want to be broke. and i want to be a lawyer. id like a shot at biglaw, but midlaw small law working in public service would be fine
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
3.3 165
-How many times you have taken the LSAT
twice


ive also gotten accepted at WashU last week but not scholarship info, yet.

[BigZuck]

Neither really offers much portability for a schmo (I'd imagine top of the class at Alabama might get you to Atlanta but that probably won't happen). I would go to whichever you prefer but I hear Atlanta is a bloodbath. You're not thinking about big law are you?

Either way I would retake June and see what happens.

[thevuch]

Neither really offers much portability for a schmo (I'd imagine top of the class at Alabama might get you to Atlanta but that probably won't happen). I would go to whichever you prefer but I hear Atlanta is a bloodbath. You're not thinking about big law are you?

Either way I would retake June and see what happens.

its not a big law or bust kind of thing but i am gonna try to place high in my class and see if i cant get a shot

[deadpanic]

I would probably just pick which state you would rather work in. I think it comes down to personal preference and ties.

Seeing as how you are from Bama and Birmingham has a surprisingly good legal market, I think Bama is the smart pick. But if you have absolutely no desire to be in Alabama then you need to pick UGA or sit out a year and shoot for different markets.

But keep in mind if you miss out on top 10-15% at UGA, you are going to be fighting with everyone else (many of whom have GA ties) for GA shitlaw making 40-50k.

[manillabay]

from bham al. got some ties in alabama. not a whole lot. dont know if i want to be stuck in bama forever.

UGA offers a decent shot at atlanta ( i know its a rough market) and it seems like UGA is more portable in the south east/lower east coast than bama. is this mistaken?

and my guess is that a UGA degree translates better to bama than the other way around. do yall think this is true?

definitely want to stay in the south. COA the same at both places.

thanks. and yes im considering a retake. best lsat 165. but if you want to say retake, then say it, but if you would, please, pick one as well and say why

thanks much

-The schools you are considering
UGA, bama.
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
family
-Your general career goals
i just dont want to be broke. and i want to be a lawyer. id like a shot at biglaw, but midlaw small law working in public service would be fine
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
3.3 165
-How many times you have taken the LSAT
twice


ive also gotten accepted at WashU last week but not scholarship info, yet.

I would not agree with this guess. I would make an educated guess the other way around. There aren't many LSU law grads practicing in Tuscaloosa, and these kinds of things. I'd think Georgia would be more open/liberal to Alabama grads than the other way around....Alabama has primarily lawyers from Alabama and they all love Alabama. Georgia is more diverse and all.

And to answer your question: Roll tide. lol.

[thevuch]

Birmingham has a surprisingly good legal market

im just curious as to why you think this.

i've gathered differently.

not trying to say youre wrong but i just am genuinely curious as to why you think that

[BigZuck]

Birmingham has a surprisingly good legal market

im just curious as to why you think this.

i've gathered differently.

not trying to say youre wrong but i just am genuinely curious as to why you think that

I've always had that sense from reading TLS as well, but then again I've never even been to Alabama.

[jbagelboy]

I'd speak with attorneys in the major cities you want to work in (Atlanta, Birmingham, ect) and see what they say between the two schools, where they prefer to hire from, where the market is going. Attorneys usually love giving advise and feeling important.

[thevuch]

from bham al. got some ties in alabama. not a whole lot. dont know if i want to be stuck in bama forever.

UGA offers a decent shot at atlanta ( i know its a rough market) and it seems like UGA is more portable in the south east/lower east coast than bama. is this mistaken?

and my guess is that a UGA degree translates better to bama than the other way around. do yall think this is true?

definitely want to stay in the south. COA the same at both places.

thanks. and yes im considering a retake. best lsat 165. but if you want to say retake, then say it, but if you would, please, pick one as well and say why

thanks much

-The schools you are considering
UGA, bama.
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
family
-Your general career goals
i just dont want to be broke. and i want to be a lawyer. id like a shot at biglaw, but midlaw small law working in public service would be fine
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
3.3 165
-How many times you have taken the LSAT
twice


ive also gotten accepted at WashU last week but not scholarship info, yet.

I would not agree with this guess. I would make an educated guess the other way around. There aren't many LSU law grads practicing in Tuscaloosa, and these kinds of things. I'd think Georgia would be more open/liberal to Alabama grads than the other way around....Alabama has primarily lawyers from Alabama and they all love Alabama. Georgia is more diverse and all.

And to answer your question: Roll tide. lol.

i guess what im thinking, and this may be idiotic, is that being from alabama, having ole high school and college friends who now practice in bham, some family who are attorneys in bham, that if i went to UGA and it didnt work out in GA, i could come back to bham and give it a shot. you know apply to bham firms and GA firms for first summer and if it wont work out just goto bham. and bham firms do OCIs at UGA now. does that make sense? whereas i dont have any ties to GA

[xmking07]

UGA almost exclusively employes its graduates in GA whereas Bama almost exclusively employes its grads in Alabama.

UGA:
65% in GA
2% in SC

Bama:
61% in AL
5% in GA
4% in TN

So, basically, you will most likely work in the state you went to school given these two schools.

Sources:
http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school= ... b=location
http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school= ... b=location

[splittinghairs]

from bham al. got some ties in alabama. not a whole lot. dont know if i want to be stuck in bama forever.

UGA offers a decent shot at atlanta ( i know its a rough market) and it seems like UGA is more portable in the south east/lower east coast than bama. is this mistaken?

and my guess is that a UGA degree translates better to bama than the other way around. do yall think this is true?

definitely want to stay in the south. COA the same at both places.

thanks. and yes im considering a retake. best lsat 165. but if you want to say retake, then say it, but if you would, please, pick one as well and say why

thanks much


-The schools you are considering
UGA, bama.
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
family
-Your general career goals
i just dont want to be broke. and i want to be a lawyer. id like a shot at biglaw, but midlaw small law working in public service would be fine
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
3.3 165
-How many times you have taken the LSAT
twice


ive also gotten accepted at WashU last week but not scholarship info, yet.

I would not agree with this guess. I would make an educated guess the other way around. There aren't many LSU law grads practicing in Tuscaloosa, and these kinds of things. I'd think Georgia would be more open/liberal to Alabama grads than the other way around....Alabama has primarily lawyers from Alabama and they all love Alabama. Georgia is more diverse and all.

And to answer your question: Roll tide. lol.

i guess what im thinking, and this may be idiotic, is that being from alabama, having ole high school and college friends who now practice in bham, some family who are attorneys in bham, that if i went to UGA and it didnt work out in GA, i could come back to bham and give it a shot. you know apply to bham firms and GA firms for first summer and if it wont work out just goto bham. and bham firms do OCIs at UGA now. does that make sense? whereas i dont have any ties to GA

I agree with your assessment that going to UGA with Bama ties would open up more possibilities for you. It's not that UGA is inherently better than BAMA or anything, its just that in your circumstances, going to UGA would open up more possibilities for you considering your strong ties to alabama already.

Let's take the hypothetical of you ending up at around top 15-20%, you'd have a fighting chance at both Atlanta firms and Alabama firms by going to UGA. Whereas if you went to Bama, you'd only have a fighting chance at Bama firms because you'd have absolutely no ties to Atlanta/GA. Obviusly, if you had top 10% at either school the outcomes would be similar. Atl firms aren't as tie-concious as bama firms and alabama ties plus going to UGA are probably good enough as ties for Atl.

In terms of statistics showing that the majority of UGA students end up working in GA and majority of Alabama students working in Bama, alot of that is basically self-selection. It doesn't mean that a student with strong bama ties or a Bama student with strong GA ties couldnt get back to their home states with good enough grades (ie say top 15%).

[rad lulz]

d

[rad lulz]

Birmingham has a surprisingly good legal market

im just curious as to why you think this.

i've gathered differently.

not trying to say youre wrong but i just am genuinely curious as to why you think that

Decent amt of good jobs doing legit work w bham biglaw firms

[transferror]

If you want to be in the South and are shooting for Biglaw, go to bama. Target Baker Donelson, Burr Foreman, Maynard Cooper, Brantley Arant, Balch & Bingham, Car Allison, Lightfoot, Sirote, and play up ties. Alabama and Cumberland dominate the Birmingham market, and basically all "firms" in Al are in Birmingham, even though there are limited options. The summer programs are pretty much reserved for Bama and Cumberland students. Your shot at getting one of these spots from UA is much higher than UGA. The fact that you'll have a shot at both ATL and Bham from UGA is credited, but your shot in Bham will be marginally (if not significantly) lower from UGA, and the added potential for ATL probably isn't worth it (and assumes you'll be top 20% at UGA to even be competitive). Above median at UA or median with a "connection" gives you a shot these firms.

As a city, Bham is in the toilet. As far as legal jobs, Jefferson County accounts for almost 50% of JD employment in the state.

I'd take my chances at UA.

[BigZuck]

If you want to be in the South and are shooting for Biglaw, go to bama. Target Baker Donelson, Burr Foreman, Maynard Cooper, Brantley Arant, Balch & Bingham, Car Allison, Lightfoot, Sirote, and play up ties. Alabama and Cumberland dominate the Birmingham market, and basically all "firms" in Al are in Birmingham, even though there are limited options. The summer programs are pretty much reserved for Bama and Cumberland students. Your shot at getting one of these spots from UA is much higher than UGA. The fact that you'll have a shot at both ATL and Bham from UGA is credited, but your shot in Bham will be marginally (if not significantly) lower from UGA, and the added potential for ATL probably isn't worth it (and assumes you'll be top 20% at UGA to even be competitive). Above median at UA or median with a "connection" gives you a shot these firms.

As a city, Bham is in the toilet. As far as legal jobs, Jefferson County accounts for almost 50% of JD employment in the state.

I'd take my chances at UA.

If you want big law, go to the University of Alabama?

No.

[thevuch]

Let's take the hypothetical of you ending up at around top 15-20%, you'd have a fighting chance at both Atlanta firms and Alabama firms by going to UGA. Whereas if you went to Bama, you'd only have a fighting chance at Bama firms because you'd have absolutely no ties to Atlanta/GA. Obviusly, if you had top 10% at either school the outcomes would be similar. Atl firms aren't as tie-concious as bama firms and alabama ties plus going to UGA are probably good enough as ties for Atl.

In terms of statistics showing that the majority of UGA students end up working in GA and majority of Alabama students working in Bama, alot of that is basically self-selection. It doesn't mean that a student with strong bama ties or a Bama student with strong GA ties couldnt get back to their home states with good enough grades (ie say top 15%).

ive never thought about this. it is certainly an interesting take! thanks

[thevuch]

Decent amt of good jobs doing legit work w bham biglaw firms

again, not trying to say this is incorrect, i am curious however where you are getting this impression.


one of Bham's best and most respected firms, Haskell Slaughter is going out of business. bradley arant maynard cooper burr forman lightfoot are all OK but the rest of them i dont know. the market just seems to be tightening up and that new lawyers out of law school are competing with seasoned attorneys who are breaking away from firms like haskell slaughter

[transferror]

If you want to be in the South and are shooting for Biglaw, go to bama. Target Baker Donelson, Burr Foreman, Maynard Cooper, Brantley Arant, Balch & Bingham, Car Allison, Lightfoot, Sirote, and play up ties. Alabama and Cumberland dominate the Birmingham market, and basically all "firms" in Al are in Birmingham, even though there are limited options. The summer programs are pretty much reserved for Bama and Cumberland students. Your shot at getting one of these spots from UA is much higher than UGA. The fact that you'll have a shot at both ATL and Bham from UGA is credited, but your shot in Bham will be marginally (if not significantly) lower from UGA, and the added potential for ATL probably isn't worth it (and assumes you'll be top 20% at UGA to even be competitive). Above median at UA or median with a "connection" gives you a shot these firms.

As a city, Bham is in the toilet. As far as legal jobs, Jefferson County accounts for almost 50% of JD employment in the state.

I'd take my chances at UA.

If you want big law, go to the University of Alabama?

No.

Don't be a dick. The comment was specific to the thread.

Obviously not in general, but b/t these two schools. UA placed 27 in firms of 101+ and 17 in Fed Clerkships for 2013 grads (out of 166). UGA placed 40 in firms of 101+ and 20 in Fed Clerkships for 2012 grads (out of 220), but those numbers significantly out-performed past years. Class of 2011 was 20 for firms of 101+ and 17 for Fed Clerk (out of 227). Class of 2010 was 24 for firms 101+ and 19 for Fed Clerk (out of 219).

So UA = 26.5% for 2013, 18% for 2012, 18% for 2011
UGA = 27% for 2013, 16% for 2012, 19.5% for 2010

Those numbers are for combined placement in Fed Clerk and firms of 101+. The difference is that (by all TLS accounts) ATL is extremely grade sensitive, while Birmingham is not. The numbers are basically even, but b/c Birmingham is less picky about grades and not targeted so much by out-of-state schools, I imagine it would be easier to get a firm in Bham. Especially since OP has ties in Bham.

[rad lulz]

d

[BigZuck]

If you want to be in the South and are shooting for Biglaw, go to bama. Target Baker Donelson, Burr Foreman, Maynard Cooper, Brantley Arant, Balch & Bingham, Car Allison, Lightfoot, Sirote, and play up ties. Alabama and Cumberland dominate the Birmingham market, and basically all "firms" in Al are in Birmingham, even though there are limited options. The summer programs are pretty much reserved for Bama and Cumberland students. Your shot at getting one of these spots from UA is much higher than UGA. The fact that you'll have a shot at both ATL and Bham from UGA is credited, but your shot in Bham will be marginally (if not significantly) lower from UGA, and the added potential for ATL probably isn't worth it (and assumes you'll be top 20% at UGA to even be competitive). Above median at UA or median with a "connection" gives you a shot these firms.

As a city, Bham is in the toilet. As far as legal jobs, Jefferson County accounts for almost 50% of JD employment in the state.

I'd take my chances at UA.

If you want big law, go to the University of Alabama?

No.

Don't be a dick. The comment was specific to the thread.

Obviously not in general, but b/t these two schools. UA placed 27 in firms of 101+ and 17 in Fed Clerkships for 2013 grads (out of 166). UGA placed 40 in firms of 101+ and 20 in Fed Clerkships for 2012 grads (out of 220), but those numbers significantly out-performed past years. Class of 2011 was 20 for firms of 101+ and 17 for Fed Clerk (out of 227). Class of 2010 was 24 for firms 101+ and 19 for Fed Clerk (out of 219).

So UA = 26.5% for 2013, 18% for 2012, 18% for 2011
UGA = 27% for 2013, 16% for 2012, 19.5% for 2010

Those numbers are for combined placement in Fed Clerk and firms of 101+. The difference is that (by all TLS accounts) ATL is extremely grade sensitive, while Birmingham is not. The numbers are basically even, but b/c Birmingham is less picky about grades and not targeted so much by out-of-state schools, I imagine it would be easier to get a firm in Bham. Especially since OP has ties in Bham.

Not being a dick. I think saying "If you want big law, go to (insert state flagship here)" is really dangerous/terrible advice to give. If someone wants big law, they need to be thinking about a different class of schools. 20ish percent chance is not good enough.

[thevuch]

Decent amt of good jobs doing legit work w bham biglaw firms

again, not trying to say this is incorrect, i am curious however where you are getting this impression.


one of Bham's best and most respected firms, Haskell Slaughter is going out of business. bradley arant maynard cooper burr forman lightfoot are all OK but the rest of them i dont know. the market just seems to be tightening up and that new lawyers out of law school are competing with seasoned attorneys who are breaking away from firms like haskell slaughter

I know bc I did the research and interviewed w those firms in law school

Those firms actively targeted Vandy kids and all the big players interviewed

It's not atl but it's def one of the bigger southern mkts bro

Also Bradley and Maynard are def more respected than Haskell was. Probs light foot too really

thanks man. that is helpful.

what do you think about splitting hairs said? the hypothetical being 10-15% at UGA and bama and having more options being at UGA?

[thevuch]

Not being a dick. I think saying "If you want big law, go to (insert state flagship here)" is really dangerous/terrible advice to give. If someone wants big law, they need to be thinking about a different class of schools. 20ish percent chance is not good enough.

i was fortunate enough to get into WashU this past week (acceptance thread knowledge says scholly info comes 2-3 weeks after initial youre admitted email) if i want big law maybe i should just go there?

[rad lulz]

d

[rad lulz]

But yeah making decisions based on biglaw from UGA or bama is silly

[BigZuck]

Not being a dick. I think saying "If you want big law, go to (insert state flagship here)" is really dangerous/terrible advice to give. If someone wants big law, they need to be thinking about a different class of schools. 20ish percent chance is not good enough.

i was fortunate enough to get into WashU this past week (acceptance thread knowledge says scholly info comes 2-3 weeks after initial youre admitted email) if i want big law maybe i should just go there?

No way jose. If you're really gunning for southern big law I would think about HYS/Duke/UVA and maybe Vandy depending on cost.

If a state flagship is cheap and you're banking on not getting a job at a large firm and have much more modest career goals but think "Meh, it would be cool if I did well enough to snag a big law job but no biggie if I don't" then I think that's defensible. But considering a school like UA for its big law chances is kind of absurd, IMO.