Top Law Schools

Specifically, what are the opportunities like coming out of lower ranked T-14 schools? I am one of those that have gone the route of $$$ at a lower t-14 over outright "prestige", and after viewing various threads I feel that I have made the right move. Ultimately, I want to end up in Government/PI and I think a greater financial freedom will help with these goals (not forced into biglaw nor bound by +10 yrs of LRAP). When looking at the most prestigious jobs in fields of law and government, I don't think a lower T-14 degree completely shuts someone out of consideration. These feelings are boosted when I look at the educational backgrounds of current political figures that have non T-14 backgrounds: Senatorial leadership, GOP presidential front runners, Secretary of State, VP, ect. While it seems that HYS have dominated other positions such as Attorney General, Solicitor General, POTUS and SCOTUS, some lower and non-T-14 alumni have filled these positions within the last 25 years.

I realize that these positions are 1/1000000000 and take a good deal of luck and circumstance to secure, no matter what school you attend. But still, do you think that these positions are dominated by HYS due to their school's prestige, or do you think it's rather a result of HYS getting more of the types of students who will work hard enough to reach these positions? Does attending a school outside of HYS, T-6, or the T-14 automatically omit someone from achieving these positions (i.e. SCOTUS, Atty. General, ect.), or can hard work and IQ from a T-30/T-50 student trump these factors?

luckenmeister wrote:Specifically, what are the opportunities like coming out of lower ranked T-14 schools? I am one of those that have gone the route of $$$ at a lower t-14 over outright "prestige", and after viewing various threads I feel that I have made the right move. Ultimately, I want to end up in Government/PI and I think a greater financial freedom will help with these goals (not forced into biglaw nor bound by +10 yrs of LRAP). When looking at the most prestigious jobs in fields of law and government, I don't think a lower T-14 degree completely shuts someone out of consideration. These feelings are boosted when I look at the educational backgrounds of current political figures that have non T-14 backgrounds: Senatorial leadership, GOP presidential front runners, Secretary of State, VP, ect. While it seems that HYS have dominated other positions such as Attorney General, Solicitor General, POTUS and SCOTUS, some lower and non-T-14 alumni have filled these positions within the last 25 years.

I realize that these positions are 1/1000000000 and take a good deal of luck and circumstance to secure, no matter what school you attend. But still, do you think that these positions are dominated by HYS due to their school's prestige, or do you think it's rather a result of HYS getting more of the types of students who will work hard enough to reach these positions? Does attending a school outside of HYS, T-6, or the T-14 automatically omit someone from achieving these positions (i.e. SCOTUS, Atty. General, ect.), or can hard work and IQ from a T-30/T-50 student trump these factors?

I'm not sure what your question is. You literally answered most of your end questions in your first paragraph. You want to know what your job opportunities are out of NU? Look at their ABA report. It tells you where they place their students. You've already been told NU is a good school and your scholarship is very beneficial. Dunno what more you want.

Are you asking about lower T14 or about T30-T50?

And I don't think anyone should choose a law school (or worry about their law school choice) based on being SCOTUS or Attorney General or such. Like, it's nice to have dreams and all, but like 99.99% of lawyers are not going to end up in those positions, even if they go to HYS. And you've already pointed out that there are non HYS people in top positions, so not sure what kind of answer you're looking for.

You should compare law schools based on where they can place you immediately upon graduation.

Clemenceau wrote:You should compare law schools based on where they can place you immediately upon graduation.

OP is an ED admit to NU. So he's likely looking for more justification in his decision to ED to NU in the first place, although his previous post generated plenty of praise at the success of the achievement in itself.

lymenheimer wrote:

Clemenceau wrote:You should compare law schools based on where they can place you immediately upon graduation.

OP is an ED admit to NU. So he's likely looking for more justification in his decision to ED to NU in the first place, although his previous post generated plenty of praise at the success of the achievement in itself.

Oh. So this is like a fishing for the answer you want to hear type deal. Sweet.

lymenheimer wrote:

Clemenceau wrote:You should compare law schools based on where they can place you immediately upon graduation.

OP is an ED admit to NU. So he's likely looking for more justification in his decision to ED to NU in the first place, although his previous post generated plenty of praise at the success of the achievement in itself.

LOL nice sleuth work.

devilsadvocatetroll wrote:
LOL nice sleuth work.

I mean, he only has 5 posts...

lymenheimer wrote:

devilsadvocatetroll wrote:
LOL nice sleuth work.

I mean, he only has 5 posts...

Whoops, gave OP the benefit of the doubt that he wouldn't be so stupid to post this.

devilsadvocatetroll wrote:

lymenheimer wrote:

devilsadvocatetroll wrote:
LOL nice sleuth work.

I mean, he only has 5 posts...

Whoops, gave OP the benefit of the doubt that he wouldn't be so stupid to post this.

I'm confused by your posts/meaning. You should probably just not.

lymenheimer wrote:

devilsadvocatetroll wrote:

lymenheimer wrote:

devilsadvocatetroll wrote:
LOL nice sleuth work.

I mean, he only has 5 posts...

Whoops, gave OP the benefit of the doubt that he wouldn't be so stupid to post this.

I'm confused by your posts/meaning. You should probably just not.

You're a smart guy!

lymenheimer wrote:

luckenmeister wrote:Specifically, what are the opportunities like coming out of lower ranked T-14 schools? I am one of those that have gone the route of $$$ at a lower t-14 over outright "prestige", and after viewing various threads I feel that I have made the right move. Ultimately, I want to end up in Government/PI and I think a greater financial freedom will help with these goals (not forced into biglaw nor bound by +10 yrs of LRAP). When looking at the most prestigious jobs in fields of law and government, I don't think a lower T-14 degree completely shuts someone out of consideration. These feelings are boosted when I look at the educational backgrounds of current political figures that have non T-14 backgrounds: Senatorial leadership, GOP presidential front runners, Secretary of State, VP, ect. While it seems that HYS have dominated other positions such as Attorney General, Solicitor General, POTUS and SCOTUS, some lower and non-T-14 alumni have filled these positions within the last 25 years.

I realize that these positions are 1/1000000000 and take a good deal of luck and circumstance to secure, no matter what school you attend. But still, do you think that these positions are dominated by HYS due to their school's prestige, or do you think it's rather a result of HYS getting more of the types of students who will work hard enough to reach these positions? Does attending a school outside of HYS, T-6, or the T-14 automatically omit someone from achieving these positions (i.e. SCOTUS, Atty. General, ect.), or can hard work and IQ from a T-30/T-50 student trump these factors?

I'm not sure what your question is. You literally answered most of your end questions in your first paragraph. You want to know what your job opportunities are out of NU? Look at their ABA report. It tells you where they place their students. You've already been told NU is a good school and your scholarship is very beneficial. Dunno what more you want.

I wasn't trying to be annoying, but you're right. I've been seeking affirmation about a decision that needs none for over two weeks now. Before this site, I believed that I could make my dreams come true at ANY law school and that I was the only obstacle to these goals. If you told me I'd be in this position with NU 3 months ago, I'd have probably fainted. I would have even been stoked with acceptance to my regional ~ "T-30" school, but that's before the searches on this caste system of a website told me I'd only have "ShitLaw opportunities". I shudder to think about those who go to Cooley, having the same hopes and dreams as you and I, looking at the crap on this elitist site. Even more disturbing is the fact that these same jerks represent even a fraction of society's hope for a more progressive and civic minded legal future. Somehow, I let the insecurities of a bunch of sarcastic morons behind keyboards sap my my confidence, but no more.

*** THIS IS NOT AIMED AT ANYONE WHO'S POSTED ON MY TOPICS: In fact, you've all been helpful in making me realize how off I was, Thx! ***

.

Has NU lowered its standards recently, by chance?

cron1834 wrote:Has NU lowered its standards recently, by chance?

No.

RedWhite&Blonde wrote:

cron1834 wrote:Has NU lowered its standards recently, by chance?

No.

This cycle there are definitely some posters here (like this OP) who have gotten the ed scholarship with pretty middling numbers. Seems to suggest they've lowered the bar for the ed scholly.

One thing to keep in mind is class size. Harvard has more alumni in Congress/SCOTUS/etc. than any other law school, but it also puts out twice as many lawyers each year than most of the other T14 schools.