Top Law Schools

Born and raised in Seattle. Family lives here, went to undergrad here, worked here for the last 3 years. The best law school in the area is UW. Comparing employment numbers on LST, ND seems to greatly outperform UW. I'm not dead set on only working in SEA, but, I would like to know that I have at least as good of a chance if I would have went to UW. UW is by no means a bad school, but, I'm fairly certain it will only hold clout in the PNW whereas ND would do the same and more in other regions. So, ND could probably give me just as good of a chance as landing in the PNW as UW, but, could also give me the potential to work elsewhere if that becomes necessary or an opportunity presents itself. I know that PNW firms don't even really attend ND's OCI, but, I could always fly home and still target the area while in school and during the summer.

Graduated with a 3.54 BBA, 166 LSAT, worked for 3 years, currently working for a non-profit providing vocational rehabilitation for disabled adults. I attend a lot of advocacy events and frequent Olympia (state capitol). I've used up all of my retakes, so it's simply not an option.

COA - $20k for each

ND won't get you to Seattle. wow, super surprised how UW obtains a rank that high with employment numbers showing 20 percent unemployed. unless those 20 percent are going in to higher education.

paayter wrote:ND won't get you to Seattle. wow, super surprised how UW obtains a rank that high with employment numbers showing 20 percent unemployed. unless those 20 percent are going in to higher education.

How do you know that?

farfromthetree wrote:Born and raised in Seattle. Family lives here, went to undergrad here, worked here for the last 3 years. The best law school in the area is UW. Comparing employment numbers on LST, ND seems to greatly outperform UW. I'm not dead set on only working in SEA, but, I would like to know that I have at least as good of a chance if I would have went to UW. UW is by no means a bad school, but, I'm fairly certain it will only hold clout in the PNW whereas ND would do the same and more in other regions. So, ND could probably give me just as good of a chance as landing in the PNW as UW, but, could also give me the potential to work elsewhere if that becomes necessary or an opportunity presents itself. I know that PNW firms don't even really attend ND's OCI, but, I could always fly home and still target the area while in school and during the summer.

Graduated with a 3.54 BBA, 166 LSAT, worked for 3 years, currently working for a non-profit providing vocational rehabilitation for disabled adults. I attend a lot of advocacy events and frequent Olympia (state capitol). I've used up all of my retakes, so it's simply not an option.

COA - $20k for each

20K total COA?

If so, I'd strongly suggest choosing UW over ND if the PNW is definitively your target market. Your ties and work experience will be helpful during your job search -- and the price seems about right.

ND's national clout isn't so great that it outweighs spending three awesome years in Seattle. As always, IMHO.

Total COA is 20k? Is this parental support or savings?

ND would do the same and more in other regions...ND could probably give me just as good of a chance as landing in the PNW as UW, but, could also give me the potential to work elsewhere if that becomes necessary or an opportunity presents itself. I know that PNW firms don't even really attend ND's OCI, but, I could always fly home and still target the area while in school and during the summer.

This seems overly optimistic about ND's placement power in the PNW...

And is 20k your total COA or yearly?

farfromthetree wrote:

paayter wrote:ND won't get you to Seattle. wow, super surprised how UW obtains a rank that high with employment numbers showing 20 percent unemployed. unless those 20 percent are going in to higher education.

How do you know that?

ND could land you Seattle (if only because you're a native), but you'd really have to A) do well academically and B) gun hard for employment opportunities outside the traditional OCI route.

If staying/coming home is the goal, UW makes more sense; if NYC biglaw is the goal, neither school is ideal, but ND is slightly better.

And lo, neither option is financially ruinous, which is a nice change of pace for this board.

farfromthetree wrote:

paayter wrote:ND won't get you to Seattle. wow, super surprised how UW obtains a rank that high with employment numbers showing 20 percent unemployed. unless those 20 percent are going in to higher education.

How do you know that?

I mean there is a chance that you could go back, just like there is a chance you could back to your home state after going to any sort of out of state regional. However if you are looking long term and Seattle is the ultimate goal...then you should immediately assume ND won't get you back to Seattle. That's just my two cents, but i believe many will agree.

paayter wrote:

farfromthetree wrote:

paayter wrote:ND won't get you to Seattle. wow, super surprised how UW obtains a rank that high with employment numbers showing 20 percent unemployed. unless those 20 percent are going in to higher education.

How do you know that?

I mean there is a chance that you could go back, just like there is a chance you could back to your home state after going to any sort of out of state regional. However if you are looking long term and Seattle is the ultimate goal...then you should immediately assume ND won't get you back to Seattle. That's just my two cents, but i believe many will agree.

I think there is one or 2 PNW firms coming to OCI at ND. But it's not a ton.

Post removed.

If total COA is truly 20k over three years
as in, you factored in tuition, fees, books/supplements, supplies, computer, bar prep
and you factored in all cost of living -- housing, food, insurance, transportation, professional wardrobe, misc/petty expenses, going out
and you factored in cost inflation, loan origination fees, interest
and this is not a scholly with a crazy stip we don't know about
and you're not biglaw or bust
and you're deadset on seattle
then congrats enjoy UW
i'm jealous of your coffee and literate population

Yes, total COA would be roughly 20-30k total for 3 years.

So then I guess the question becomes, if one wants to target the PNW, is UW at $20k debt total a good option?

Outside of going to a T14 for a low COA UW for 20k total is about as good as it gets for someone that is specifically targeting the PNW

farfromthetree wrote:So then I guess the question becomes, if one wants to target the PNW, is UW at $20k debt total a good option?

Its a great option. 20k is basically no debt. I couldn't think of a better one. Congratulations.