USC (20k/year) v. Utah (full tuition) Forum

[whitecherries]

So basically, my dilemma is the classic prestige v. no debt.

I'm a URM, 3.34 GPA and 166 LSAT. Still waiting on a few other schools (T14), but they are long shots.

For some background, I'm interested in criminal law. My ideal first job would be working as a prosecutor in [insert city name]'s DAs office. I have no preference as of now as to where I want to practice, but I was born and raised in Los Angeles, so that is a definite possibility (and I'll probably end up back here eventually, if not right after graduation).

The cost of living is also an obvious difference. My parents will be helping out with my living costs (rent/food/etc), but $300 apartments in SLC look VERY enticing right now...

Also, I have zero interest in big law. I highly doubt I will develop an interest in it, I'm very dedicated to criminal.
Thanks ahead for the responses!

[downinDtown]

So basically, my dilemma is the classic prestige v. no debt.

I'm a URM, 3.34 GPA and 166 LSAT. Still waiting on a few other schools (T14), but they are long shots.

For some background, I'm interested in criminal law. My ideal first job would be working as a prosecutor in [insert city name]'s DAs office. I have no preference as of now as to where I want to practice, but I was born and raised in Los Angeles, so that is a definite possibility (and I'll probably end up back here eventually, if not right after graduation).

The cost of living is also an obvious difference. My parents will be helping out with my living costs (rent/food/etc), but $300 apartments in SLC look VERY enticing right now...

Also, I have zero interest in big law. I highly doubt I will develop an interest in it, I'm very dedicated to criminal.
Thanks ahead for the responses!

U of U may be good option if you want to stay in Utah after graduating, and the majority of those jobs Utah grads secure aren't even at the MidLaw level, so you don't have to worry about "falling in love" with BigLaw because Utah gives you almost no shot at it. So at Utah you'll need to be targeting whatever you can get in the criminal field. Do you research on the type/quantity of options that'd be avaiable to you from both schools. Talk to CSOs about students who have gone into criminal law and ask about where they interned, etc.

If you could see yourself living/working in Utah, go there. If you want flexibility/mobility to move back to LA, don't. But if you do go to Utah, do pick up skiing/snowboarding.

[Law Sauce]

You will still have significant debt after graduation at USC. For criminal law, going to Utah and graduating with little or no debt seems far superior. It seems that prosecution type jobs care more about shown dedication to the job (so build your resume as much as you can etc.) then school prestige. But its possible that I am wrong… (not in criminal law)

Not sure about USC LRAP if it even has a substantial one. If it does, maybe that helps.

[yeslekkkk]

Do you want to be in CA? How many grads from Utah end up back in CA? If you know you're cool with being in Utah after, then go there!

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

Everything I've read suggests that CA is the worst legal market in the U.S.--tons of people want to be there, the state has many many law schools, and the # of legal positions is not increasing. I bet you can negotiate with USC to get more money once you get more offers (they won't care about Utah). I would be very scared to attend Utah unless i was comfortable living and practicing in Utah.

[Otunga]

If anything, Utah, but that's not a good option for somebody wanting work in California. USC at the price you've given would be difficult to justify for almost anybody, particularly so in your case since you have modestly salaried PI goals. In fact, a lower-ranked California school where you can get a full scholarship could be better for your goals if you don't want to retake.

Only go to Utah if you'd absolutely and positively be content with establishing a career in Utah. Otherwise, it's bound to be an uphill battle to try and return to California since it simply makes it tough for you to network and communicate with local employers there.

But refer to the thread specifically relating to PI employment here: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 1&t=220431. In that thread there are plenty of knowledgeable people that can give you more informed advice. Essentially, with prosecutor and/or public defender aspirations, you want to go to a school for as close to free as possible and in the immediate area that you'd like to work.