Stetson (30k) vs W&L (40k) Forum

[zipehtzin]

Goals: to litigate (and be good at it) -- interests are civil plaintiff and criminal defense -- desired annual salary: 45k

Undergrad = anti prestige
Stats: Traditional splitter, exhausted my three attempts.
I have connections in NY, so I don't believe the regional nature of my options is necessarily restrictive. (I cannot justify paying the cost of living for any NY schools that accepted me, given my goals)
Cost of attendance assumes no savings, no parent assistance, and unfavorable living expenses. Loans.

School options:
Stetson (FL)
coa: 30k
award: tuition + stipend
stipulation: top 50%

Washington & Lee (VA)
coa: 40k
award: full tuition
stipulation: good standing

Thoughts? Thank you.

ETA: I'm sorry for being unclear. By "connections" I don't simply mean ties. My meaning is that I know people who will provide me employment opportunities regardless of where I attend law school. This is why my goals refer to a desire to improve my skill set rather than landing a particular job. I hope this helps.

[transferror]

LSAT (+ number of times taken) and GPA? Your "goals" section should include the type of work you want to do, not the skills you want to develop in school.

[raininthedesert]

Assuming you are going to reject the retake advice...

Stetson's litigation skills program is truly exceptional if you are committed to working as a prosecutor or defense attorney. Neither school is a strong choice for New York. Choose Stetson if you would prefer to work in Western Florida and choose W&L if you are interested in rural Virginia or West Virginia.

Stetson would be the more enjoyable of the two if you are going to be burning dollars anyway. Plus their alumni network for district attorney office jobs trumps W&L.

Definitely share your specific legal fields of interest so people can provide you with more specific advice based on those goals.

[cotiger]

Assuming you are going to reject the retake advice...

Stetson's litigation skills program is truly exceptional if you are committed to working as a prosecutor or defense attorney. Neither school is a strong choice for New York. Choose Stetson if you would prefer to work in Western Florida and choose W&L if you are interested in rural Virginia or West Virginia.

Stetson would be the more enjoyable of the two if you are going to be burning dollars anyway. Plus their alumni network for district attorney office jobs trumps W&L.

Definitely share your specific legal fields of interest so people can provide you with more specific advice based on those goals.

I think you missed the 50% stips on Stetson. Tough to recommend a place with that level of stips. Unless, of course, OP can trust himself to drop out after 1L if he doesn't make top half.

[BigZuck]

What a weird OP.

If the goal is to be a lawyer in NY then neither, retake

[zipehtzin]

Assuming you are going to reject the retake advice...

Stetson's litigation skills program is truly exceptional if you are committed to working as a prosecutor or defense attorney. Neither school is a strong choice for New York. Choose Stetson if you would prefer to work in Western Florida and choose W&L if you are interested in rural Virginia or West Virginia.

Stetson would be the more enjoyable of the two if you are going to be burning dollars anyway. Plus their alumni network for district attorney office jobs trumps W&L.

Definitely share your specific legal fields of interest so people can provide you with more specific advice based on those goals.

I think you missed the 50% stips on Stetson. Tough to recommend a place with that level of stips. Unless, of course, OP can trust himself to drop out after 1L if he doesn't make top half.

I would drop out -- if it were not for the stipulation I would probably go Stetson.

What a weird OP.

If the goal is to be a lawyer in NY then neither, retake

Seems weird, I know. Even with full tuition, I don't think Fordham, Cardozo, Brooklyn, St. Johns, Hofstra, Albany, or Pace are worth cost of living given my goals. Is that fair?

[rad lulz]

.

[rad lulz]

.

[BigZuck]

Assuming you are going to reject the retake advice...

Stetson's litigation skills program is truly exceptional if you are committed to working as a prosecutor or defense attorney. Neither school is a strong choice for New York. Choose Stetson if you would prefer to work in Western Florida and choose W&L if you are interested in rural Virginia or West Virginia.

Stetson would be the more enjoyable of the two if you are going to be burning dollars anyway. Plus their alumni network for district attorney office jobs trumps W&L.

Definitely share your specific legal fields of interest so people can provide you with more specific advice based on those goals.

I think you missed the 50% stips on Stetson. Tough to recommend a place with that level of stips. Unless, of course, OP can trust himself to drop out after 1L if he doesn't make top half.

I would drop out -- if it were not for the stipulation I would probably go Stetson.

What a weird OP.

If the goal is to be a lawyer in NY then neither, retake

Seems weird, I know. Even with full tuition, I don't think Fordham, Cardozo, Brooklyn, St. Johns, Hofstra, Albany, or Pace are worth cost of living given my goals. Is that fair?

I think the regional nature of your offers is restrictive

I would roll with the Fordham fully

[cron1834]

What a weird OP.

If the goal is to be a lawyer in NY then neither, retake

This made me LOL.

[zipehtzin]

I'm sorry for being unclear. By "connections" I don't simply mean ties. My meaning is that I know people who will provide me employment opportunities regardless of where I attend law school. This is why my goals refer to a desire to improve my skill set rather than landing a particular job. I hope this helps.

[BigZuck]

Sounds like you've got it figured out already, just go wherever you want. I'm sure both schools are capable of improving your skill set.

[rad lulz]

.

[BillPackets]

Just do whatever