Fordham - sticker, Rutgers - $$, Cardozo - $$ Forum

[nyc2018]

Looking to work in NYC post grad and have received some offers and narrowed it down to these three.
I have free housing because of family close to all three schools so I estimated living expenses at around 15k per year. After using the financial worksheet on LST I came up with these numbers after three years with interest
Fordham - 251k
Rutgers - 66k (24k/yr scholarship)
Cardozo - 68k (50k/yr scholarship)

I had a 3.3 GPA and a 161 LSAT score (1st test)

[MarkfromWI]

Obligatory "retake" comment aside, Dozo. Fordham is just waaaaaaaay too expensive, and Dozo will have a placement advantage in NYC over Rutgers. Be prepared for less-prestigious outcomes though. From my understanding (admittedly largely based on what I've learned on TLS) biglaw is practically a unicorn job out of Dozo.

[TasmanianToucan]

If you've been on LST you should know what you're getting yourself into. Do you really want to do that?

[timbs4339]

If you're fine with not working biglaw or equivalent job, enjoy Dozo. Retake to try and get money for Fordham might be a better option.

[usn26]

If you're fine with not working biglaw or equivalent job, enjoy Dozo.

[CanadianWolf]

Are you willing to retake the LSAT ?

If not, then your most reasonable choice is between Rutgers & Yeshiva/Cardozo. Where do you want to live for the next three years ?

Yeshiva/Cardozo's employed at graduation stat is not good (about 33%). Rutgers claimed 42% for the same period.

[exitoptions]

I'd go to Rutgers. Similar shot at biglaw, but at least you have Jersey to fall back on where a RU-N degree is respected.

[usn26]

I'd go to Rutgers. Similar shot at biglaw, but at least you have Jersey to fall back on where a RU-N degree is respected.

That was my first instinct, but wouldn't that make it (even) harder to get a job in NY (OP's desired market)?

[DaRascal]

Cardozo for sure!! Rutgers is not what TLS makes it out to be. Seton Hall runs NJ.
Why is Fordham so stingy?

[donewithannarbor]

I'd go to Rutgers. Similar shot at biglaw, but at least you have Jersey to fall back on where a RU-N degree is respected.

That was my first instinct, but wouldn't that make it (even) harder to get a job in NY (OP's desired market)?

Let me put it this way: it takes roughly the same credentials-- gpa/journals etc to get big law from either Rutgers or Cardozo. Choosing Dozo does not lower this threshold. I think each school has its dependable OCI hirers, and, as the links below depict, they are doing similarly (with a slight edge to Rutgers) with BigLaw. On the latest data, Rutgers has a biglaw placement edge, notwithstanding some selection biases whereby a several good Rutgers grads go off into PI or get snapped up by good NJ firms.

http://www.lstscorereports.com/schools/ ... yers/2014/
http://www.lstscorereports.com/schools/ ... yers/2014/

[KMart]

Fordham at sticker should not even be a consideration.

[togoornottogo]

Retake/Reapply. I am a hopeful splitter (as in studying for LSAT and have a GPA similar to yours), and I just keep trying hypothetical scores out on MYlsn.info to see what the difference would be at 3 point intervals in terms of acceptances and scholarships and it is astounding. I would encourage you to do the same, hopefully it will really open your eyes. If you can't say you gave the LSAT your absolute best, why settle for 161?

That being said, it's your life so make the choice you want to make but know that $250k is a ton of money.

[donewithannarbor]

Yah, 250k @ Fordham is not an option (goes without saying).

[OhBoyOhBortles]

If you are 100% sure you don't want big law, are satisfied with the prospect of making 50k/year when you come out, and know you'll be happy living in New York long term, I don't see why either of Cardozo/Rutgers is a bad option. If you have any other goals then you'll definitely want to retake for better options next cycle.

[KMart]

Yah, 250k @ Fordham is not an option (goes without saying).

Seriously, did the person who voted for Fordham simply mis-click?

Identify yourself! Speak!