I'm a December 2013 PSU grad living in the Philadelphia area. I am definitely going to law school in fall 2014. I'm seriously considering PSU, Villanova, Drexel, and Rutgers-Camden. I've been waitlisted at UPenn and preferred waitlisted at Georgetown. I would obviously go to one of those schools if I got in, but I'm assuming I won't.
I want to work in the Philadelphia area (if I could work in NY or DC that would be great but let's be honest, that probably won't happen). Wherever I go, I do NOT want to go the biglaw route. Unless I become extremely jaded after 3 years of law school, I'm not changing my mind about biglaw. I'm liberal and I know I wouldn't fit in at a big corporate firm.
That said, my ideal career is PI (not sure what type yet). That's followed closely by working in a DA's office, preferably the Philadelphia DA. But I'm flexible and willing work in a suburban DA's office. If neither of those options are feasible, I'm also interested in labor/employment (employee side) or family law.
Of the schools I visited, I had a gut feeling that I would fit in best at Villanova. But I just received a nice scholarship from Rutgers-Camden and of the schools I've gotten into, it has the best employment prospects. In short, I'm very confused.
I would not have to pay COL at Drexel or Villanova. Both are close enough that I could commute and live at home with my mom (as pathetic as that sounds). But I'm willing to sacrifice my dignity to save money haha. If I go to Rutgers-Camden it's feasible (although not particularly easy) to commute. But on-campus housing might be better so I can get NJ in-state tuition. I'd be living in my old undergrad apartment if I went to PSU.
Tuition breakdown:
PSU: $16,000/year, plus $6,000/year COL, good standing scholarship stip
Drexel: $13,000/year, no COL, good standing scholarship stip
Villanova: $24,000/year, no COL, good standing scholarship stip
Rutgers Camden: $24,000/year, plus possible COL. If I acquire NJ residency, I'd be paying $12,000/year plus COL. Top 60% (3.1 GPA) scholarship stip.
Where should I go to law school, considering my geographic and employment preferences?
Thank you for any and all advice
