Denver ($$) v. Lewis and Clark ($$$) Forum

[djbyrd]

Hi all,

It's time to lurk no further. I could use a second opinion on a really tough decision I need to make for myself and my family.

Before we start, I did not apply to any schools in the Top 50, as I have a wife and son on the West Coast, and those schools don't really provide a part-time option.

To my abounding joy, I was recently accepted to the two best part-time programs west of the Mississippi: Denver and Lewis and Clark. I received $40k (3.0 stip) to Denver, and $60k (no stip) to Lewis and Clark. Both of these schools are $30k a year for part time study, resulting in $180k cost of attendance over four years. I have significant savings to cover most of the CoA without loans.

I love the active community in CO, and the market seems pretty hot. Not to mention Denver is currently in the top 30% of accredited schools. Lewis and Clark is closer to home (in California) on the other hand, they gave more money, and seems like a good fit for my wife who has family in the region.

I want to practice in civil defense, where I've been working as a paralegal for the past three years. I am open to general civil practice, and don't have any particular desire for a big firm environment.

I realize we're comparing apples and oranges, but could any other law student weigh in on any substantive issues that puts one of these schools over the other? I don't care what the rankings are in comparison to any other school than just the two mentioned here. Thanks!

[Traynor Brah]

What do you want to do as an attorney, and where do you want to practice, long-term? Also:

In order to receive the best feedback in this forum, please provide as much of the following information in your original post as possible:

-The schools you are considering
-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each. COA = cost of tuition + fees + books + cost of living (COL) + accumulated interest - scholarships. Here is a helpful calculator.
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)
-Your general career goals
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
-How many times you have taken the LSAT

[TheRealSantaClaus]

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[haus]

Most people I have spoken to regarding part-time programs generally are working around time and location commitments for employment, but given the geographical difference it seems that may not be the case for you. Is there a particular reason you are interested in part-time programs?

[djbyrd]

Thanks for taking the time to respond, folks.

Is there a particular reason you are interested in part-time programs?

Yes, the part-time aspect is imperative, considering that full-time enrollment bars J.D. candidates from working during the school year. I have to take care of my wife and son, and will definitely be working in a firm environment while I put myself through the courses. I plan to at least cover our cost of living expenses while I'm enrolled, which will be 25 hours a week at $18/hr.

Also, my firm has talked about allowing me to transfer to their offices in OR or CO, where I could ideally keep making $30/hr part-time.

[Lord Randolph McDuff]

Hi all,

It's time to lurk no further. I could use a second opinion on a really tough decision I need to make for myself and my family.

Before we start, I did not apply to any schools in the Top 50, as I have a wife and son on the West Coast, and those schools don't really provide a part-time option.

To my abounding joy, I was recently accepted to the two best part-time programs west of the Mississippi: Denver and Lewis and Clark. I received $40k (3.0 stip) to Denver, and $60k (no stip) to Lewis and Clark. Both of these schools are $30k a year for part time study, resulting in $180k cost of attendance over four years. I have significant savings to cover most of the CoA without loans.

I love the active community in CO, and the market seems pretty hot. Not to mention Denver is currently in the top 30% of accredited schools. Lewis and Clark is closer to home (in California) on the other hand, they gave more money, and seems like a good fit for my wife who has family in the region.

I want to practice in civil defense, where I've been working as a paralegal for the past three years. I am open to general civil practice, and don't have any particular desire for a big firm environment.

I realize we're comparing apples and oranges, but could any other law student weigh in on any substantive issues that puts one of these schools over the other? I don't care what the rankings are in comparison to any other school than just the two mentioned here. Thanks!

Where are you getting 180k COA? More importantly, tell us how much debt you are going into for each school.

I practice in Colorado and have never even been to Oregan. Your DU plan sounds ok, especially if you can transfer with your firm and make 30 an hour in Denver. In that case, the plan is pretty solid. I would comment that you are paying 90k to DU in tuition dollars. This is very high. I paid half that for my degree and also had some time to work, though I wasn't working more than 15 or so hours a week.

Will they give you a further discount?

[cron1834]

95% of people from these schools don't get 6-figure biglaw jobs. If making $30/hr is a possibility for you and if you somehow have the ability to pay $180k COA, it's not clear why you would change what you're doing, spend a gazillion dollars to do it, and get a $55k/yr job doing insurance defense in Hillsboro, OR as a reward. Not really sure what the game plan is here.