Top Law Schools

Otunga wrote:UGA's the only reasonable choice here. It's the most affordable, you're good with working in GA, and you live there already. However, 33k + COL is no joke for your COA. But if you subtract the 50k you're contributing to the debt with, you're looking at, what, 50k debt? You should retake though.

busterbluthe wrote:More than half is mine. With UGA estimated COA, my debt at graduation would be 33K. I think my parents may be able to offer me an interest free loan for part of this.

PropaneAccessories wrote:

Otunga wrote:

busterbluthe wrote:More than half is mine. With UGA estimated COA, my debt at graduation would be 33K. I think my parents may be able to offer me an interest free loan for part of this.

Then yes, UGA is a solid choice. But expect to get small law.

I work in the Atlanta legal market. I will not say in what capacity, only that I have enough anecdotal evidence to give an honest opinion that probably has more of a spine to it than what most people will give OP.

Does UGA place over 50%+ into BigLaw? No. However, having known a bunch of UGA law grads in my time, there's more to this than what is on the surface. Many folks do not pursue BigLaw from UGA, especially many in-state students, if it is not their desire. Tuition is so cheap that they are not in a "Big Law or Bust" position.

Then you have folks whose interests are geared towards state politics (The only other law school in Georgia that is even remotely good for this is Mercer and that's because it is Mecca for folks in middle and south Georgia....and a place that elicits the response of "Why would you want to spend three years in Macon?" from everyone else). There are also those who have national political aspirations and, from personal experience, I can tell you that nearly every major U.S. House and U.S. Senate campaign in Georgia currently has a recent UGA Law Grad serving in a senior position.

So, when you break it down, you're looking at a smaller portion of the overall class that wants BigLaw than you would see at T-14 schools. Does it mean that your chances at BigLaw are wholly better from a T-14 than from UGA if you're targeting Atlanta? Not necessarily.

Atlanta and UGA Law are bedfellows. They want to, and do, support each other in anyway they can. Since Atlanta is the crossroads for nearly every reputable southern law school, UGA Law alums are very keen to ensure that the presence remains strong (yadda yadda yadda management positions of Atlanta law should be equally distributed among UGA, UVA and Vandy graduates yadda yadda yadda). I will say that, from what I have seen, the UGA alums do a good job of this. Also, as of late, Georgia State is punching above its weight class for SA positions, but that is neither here nor there.

Ultimately, if you don't have prior work experience or connections to the BigLaw firms in Atlanta, you'll probably have no wiggle room with the grade floors. Top 25% from Emory and UGA gets your foot in the door. Top 35-40% gets your foot in the door from Vandy. Top 50% more than likely gets your foot in the door from UVA, depending on the firm.

You're in the awesome position where you'll take on very little debt from UGA. Want BigLaw? Awesome. Bust your ass and go get it. However, if you strike-out, not necessarily a big deal. There are honestly plenty of jobs to be had in Atlanta at smaller firms and, no, the vast majority aren't shit law.

UGA is your school, hands-down, no question.

Also, if a Yankee who has never lived in Atlanta attempts to pass their opinion of UGA and the Atlanta legal community as worthwhile, chuckle, say "Bless your heart" and just move along. The only folks who can speak to this market are those who actually work here. The only folks that can speak to UGA are those who have lived here for a significant amount of time (preferably raised here) and understand how dominant UGA is in this state in business, law, and politics.

PropaneAccessories wrote: Does UGA place over 50%+ into BigLaw? No. However, having known a bunch of UGA law grads in my time, there's more to this than what is on the surface. Many folks do not pursue BigLaw from UGA, especially many in-state students, if it is not their desire. Tuition is so cheap that they are not in a "Big Law or Bust" position.

.....

Ultimately, if you don't have prior work experience or connections to the BigLaw firms in Atlanta, you'll probably have no wiggle room with the grade floors. Top 25% from Emory and UGA gets your foot in the door. Top 35-40% gets your foot in the door from Vandy. Top 50% more than likely gets your foot in the door from UVA, depending on the firm.

You're in the awesome position where you'll take on very little debt from UGA. Want BigLaw? Awesome. Bust your ass and go get it. However, if you strike-out, not necessarily a big deal. There are honestly plenty of jobs to be had in Atlanta at smaller firms and, no, the vast majority aren't shift law

busterbluthe wrote:Thanks, everyone, for your help! By the way, I am interested in big law, but I'm certainly not dead set on it. My take on the matter is that I have been out of school working for several years in the legal field, and I know exactly why I am going to law school at this stage. I am willing to work hard, and I was successful at my "T14" undergrad University, so I think achieving top 25% or even top 10% is totally doable. If not, like I said, I am fine with not getting into big law. Also, since no one seems to be discussing my options other than UGA, I just wanted to throw out there that the total expected debt for Tulane would be about $56,000. I actually think this figure should be more comparable to the UGA estimated debt, since Tulane budgets much more than UGA does for for COL, and I have found the COL in both New Orleans and Athens to be equal.

On another note, I would encourage posters who keep posting "retake" to consider the bigger picture for some applicants. I am in my late 20's, and it is not feasible for me to waste any more time making less than half of my potential in the legal field. I also don't think enough is said on these boards for being a big fish in a slightly smaller pond so to say. It's not all smooth sailing once you get into a good school. Hard work and determination go a long way....

busterbluthe wrote:Thanks AthensGA. That is quite disheartening.

JDeezy - I want to try to stay on topic, but to quickly defend myself here, I have to say that your post contradicts itself. If the average reader in my position should retake the LSAT to improve their score and get into a better school, then you are saying that the LSAT is a somewhat, if not highly mobile number (which I agree with). Therefore, unless you have taken the LSAT several times, you are not necessarily at your peak score. Any given school will have some individuals who are at their peak LSAT score and some who are at the lower end of their range. UGA, for example, will have some students who postponed school for a year or more in order to increase their score. Therefore, if you think that I can increase my LSAT score, you are saying that you think I can do better than UGA. AKA big fish in small pond.

Anyone else have any opinions of Tulane?

busterbluthe wrote:Thanks, everyone, for your help! By the way, I am interested in big law, but I'm certainly not dead set on it. My take on the matter is that I have been out of school working for several years in the legal field, and I know exactly why I am going to law school at this stage. I am willing to work hard, and I was successful at my "T14" undergrad University, so I think achieving top 25% or even top 10% is totally doable. If not, like I said, I am fine with not getting into big law. Also, since no one seems to be discussing my options other than UGA, I just wanted to throw out there that the total expected debt for Tulane would be about $56,000. I actually think this figure should be more comparable to the UGA estimated debt, since Tulane budgets much more than UGA does for for COL, and I have found the COL in both New Orleans and Athens to be equal.

On another note, I would encourage posters who keep posting "retake" to consider the bigger picture for some applicants. I am in my late 20's, and it is not feasible for me to waste any more time making less than half of my potential in the legal field. I also don't think enough is said on these boards for being a big fish in a slightly smaller pond so to say. It's not all smooth sailing once you get into a good school. Hard work and determination go a long way....