Top Law Schools

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I am veteran in Texas with one year left of post 9/11 GI Bill and I get my tuition waved at any public school in Texas (i.e. UT). Im currently studying for the summer LSAT. Im am wondering if its even worth considering a T14 school when I could go to UT for free. Of course I will apply just to find out, but w/o a full ride Im not sure I would go to any of them. What would the scholarship need to be at a school like New York, Georgetown, or Chicago to give up a free law degree at UT? Please keep in mind the first year is almost free anywhere because of the GI Bill. I am interested in Big Law and want to work in a major city. Thanks for your time.

Also, it would really help if yall could tell me any other public schools in texas with a decent law program with some type of OCI. Thanks.

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Thanks. I will definitely start following that thread

If yall have time, i would still be really interested in hearing yalls thoughts on my question, but I totally understand if yall feel like its already been answered.

T-14 schools place a lot better into major city biglaw than UT so if that's your goal it's worth paying a bit more. Just get the best LSAT score you can, apply broadly and see what happens. You might be able to use your public school benefits to negotiate a scholarship that makes going elsewhere worthwhile, but you'll need the numbers to get in the ballpark. What is your GPA?

To your other question: There aren't any other schools in Texas that place well enough to make attending worthwhile with your goals. SMU and Houston (which is public) are the next best and they place around 10-15% into big firms.

Also, if by "major city" you just mean Dallas or Houston then UT will be extremely tough to beat.

Wait, do you mean you get 1 year of the GI Bill, or you get Hazlewood for all three years for a TX school?

That'd be a tough call, a lot of which depends on what your goals are.

Thank yall so much for replying. My undergrad GPA was 3.6 in finance, but i worked full time to support my family and finished in 2.5 years with tons of campus org leadership positions so im hoping i can spin that up. I have one year of GI Bill then 150 credit hours with Hazelwood. My end goal is to start a veteran transition nonprofit, but i need money for that (hence big law) also why im considering studying in DC. By major city, i mean austin and dallas would work but no smaller. Thanks again for all of yalls insight. It is very much appreciated.

I should also note that i went to a UT satellite school with no reputation and I am a non-urm male, so both of those things not in my favor.

Military tends to be a solid soft factor and 3.6 is plenty high enough for nearly every school in the country. Just knock the LSAT out of the park and you'll be in good shape.

Do you have a rating from the VA? (I know this sounds like a broken record from me but I do not want to see anyone pay for law school that doesnt have to)