Top Law Schools

Hello,

I hope this hasn't been made abundantly clear elsewhere but searching through the forums has sucked too much time and deadlines are rapidly approaching, so any guidance would be greatly appreciated at this point.

3.5/168

Right now I have an offer at UCLA with $35k/year and GULC with no word yet. I had an interview meaning I was borderline, so I'm working under the assumption that I will not be offered a merit scholarship. It seems like this is rare among posters, but I am interested in gov't and possibly biglaw but I really don't know yet. I lean towards the former (hopefully ending up in the federal court system), but sometimes the cost of schools (even with aid) makes that seem like more of a struggle than I would be able to endure long term.

For someone who in uncertain about a career path, is GULC worth sticker price? I know that T14 means something to big firms, but what does it mean as far as clerkships/gov't? Also note that I want to settle on the east coast (I'm from NYC but would be fine living in DC as well), although I'm not totally opposed to starting off in California if getting a job on the east coast after a few years of work experience is likely.

Thanks a lot for any thoughts!

...

JSWright101 wrote:Hmm well if your goals are east coast, UCLA won't be very good for that. However, GULC sticker kind of sucks so I vote retake? No other offers?

Retaking is not on the table.

I also have $35k/yr at Fordham and $30k/yr at George Washington, but both of those schools are overshadowed by top ranked schools in those cities for hiring...

jaydo wrote:

JSWright101 wrote:Hmm well if your goals are east coast, UCLA won't be very good for that. However, GULC sticker kind of sucks so I vote retake? No other offers?

Retaking is not on the table.

I also have $35k/yr at Fordham and $30k/yr at George Washington, but both of those schools are overshadowed by top ranked schools in those cities for hiring...

Why are you choosing to not retake?

tiltedwindmill wrote:

jaydo wrote:

JSWright101 wrote:Hmm well if your goals are east coast, UCLA won't be very good for that. However, GULC sticker kind of sucks so I vote retake? No other offers?

Retaking is not on the table.

I also have $35k/yr at Fordham and $30k/yr at George Washington, but both of those schools are overshadowed by top ranked schools in those cities for hiring...

Why are you choosing to not retake?

Took it twice, don't think there would be much change.

I would probably readjust career goals or not go to law school

BigZuck wrote:I would probably readjust career goals or not go to law school

wow, helpful

just so you know, an interview doesn't necessarily mean you are borderline/no aid at GULC. I had an interview and was eventually given 35k/year at GULC (merit based) after negotiation.

ForLawSchool wrote:just so you know, an interview doesn't necessarily mean you are borderline/no aid at GULC. I had an interview and was eventually given 35k/year at GULC (merit based) after negotiation.

Oh, really?! That actually is very helpful. How long after your acceptance did you receive that? It seems like it's taking a long time and I haven't received anything other than the initial acceptance letter via snail mail and the email with log-in info for the admitted students website.

jaydo wrote:

BigZuck wrote:I would probably readjust career goals or not go to law school

wow, helpful

NP. You seem to be rightfully scared of debt. Georgetown sticker is cray cray and UCLA for the east coast makes no sense.

You might end up with like 30k a year though from GULC, they sometimes get silly like that.

jaydo wrote:

ForLawSchool wrote:just so you know, an interview doesn't necessarily mean you are borderline/no aid at GULC. I had an interview and was eventually given 35k/year at GULC (merit based) after negotiation.

Oh, really?! That actually is very helpful. How long after your acceptance did you receive that? It seems like it's taking a long time and I haven't received anything other than the initial acceptance letter via snail mail and the email with log-in info for the admitted students website.

I'm in a similar boat regarding these two schools (and a few outside options, but mainly these two), and our numbers are pretty similar. The consensus I've received is that UCLA is a solid choice if your end goal is Los Angeles. I'm also waiting on $ from GULC, as are a lot of folks who submitted their weird "convince us why you should get merit aid" writing prompt. That said, UCLA has been entirely ungenerous to me, which seems strange, though I am already living in Los Angeles, so i'm probably somewhat less desirable in that regard.

One thing to keep in mind between these schools is that COL has the potential to be quite different, depending on your needs. I currently live in LA for about $1000 a month in rent, while everything I've found in DC has been VASTLY more expensive, not to mention prices in general are a fair bit higher there for just about everything. That said, you most likely need a car in LA. Just something to think about.

Glasseyes wrote:

jaydo wrote:

ForLawSchool wrote:just so you know, an interview doesn't necessarily mean you are borderline/no aid at GULC. I had an interview and was eventually given 35k/year at GULC (merit based) after negotiation.

Oh, really?! That actually is very helpful. How long after your acceptance did you receive that? It seems like it's taking a long time and I haven't received anything other than the initial acceptance letter via snail mail and the email with log-in info for the admitted students website.

I'm in a similar boat regarding these two schools (and a few outside options, but mainly these two), and our numbers are pretty similar. The consensus I've received is that UCLA is a solid choice if your end goal is Los Angeles. I'm also waiting on $ from GULC, as are a lot of folks who submitted their weird "convince us why you should get merit aid" writing prompt. That said, UCLA has been entirely ungenerous to me, which seems strange, though I am already living in Los Angeles, so i'm probably somewhat less desirable in that regard.

One thing to keep in mind between these schools is that COL has the potential to be quite different, depending on your needs. I currently live in LA for about $1000 a month in rent, while everything I've found in DC has been VASTLY more expensive, not to mention prices in general are a fair bit higher there for just about everything. That said, you most likely need a car in LA. Just something to think about.

Good point on the COL and the car thing is definitely something to consider, although it would only be an issue for the first year, because my partner is starting a program in LA in 2015 and has a car. What's up with the "convince us why you should get aid" thing? I don't remember seeing that anywhere..

jaydo wrote:What's up with the "convince us why you should get aid" thing? I don't remember seeing that anywhere..

They sent it out to some folks, and the rest of us had to write and mention we're interested in being considered for aid, and then they send you the invitation to apply for it. Georgetown has a longstanding rep for tight purse strings, but I agree that the process is frustrating. I only found out about it by lurking the various GULC threads on here. Good luck!

Glasseyes wrote:

jaydo wrote:What's up with the "convince us why you should get aid" thing? I don't remember seeing that anywhere..

They sent it out to some folks, and the rest of us had to write and mention we're interested in being considered for aid, and then they send you the invitation to apply for it. Georgetown has a longstanding rep for tight purse strings, but I agree that the process is frustrating. I only found out about it by lurking the various GULC threads on here. Good luck!

Thanks so much!