Full Tuition at 4th Tier School Worth It? Forum

[bostonhopeful16]

Hi everyone,

I recently received full tuition scholarship offers from Albany and New England Law, and also received a scholarship to Suffolk (I would pay $15,000/year...however, I am still waiting to hear back on need based aid, named scholarships, and outside scholarships). Although I was admitted to higher ranked schools such as Baylor, the University of Arkansas, and Brooklyn, I do not believe it would be wise to attend these schools since I want to work in New England and received minimal scholarships to these institutions. Although Boston is an expensive place to live, I will be moving in with friends who currently live there, and will pay $500/mo for rent and utilities. My grandparents have agreed to pay this, so attending New England would be very close to free.

I have $20,000 in debt from undergrad in the form of federal loans that are not acquiring interest while I am in school.

I want to work in public service or government eventually. However, I am afraid that if I attended New England or Albany this would be the only work I could find. I do not want to work at a large firm, but would like to keep the possibility open of working at a medium size firm when I graduate. The lawyers I have interned with in New England have said attending Suffolk would give me more possibilities.

Lastly, I was not accepted to Boston College, and am still waiting to hear back from Northeastern and UConn. Although, based off of numbers, I should be accepted to these schools, I do not believe I will receive substantial financial assistance.

Given my financial circumstances and career goals would it wise to attend New England or Albany? Or, if I receive more financial aid would it be worth it to attend Suffolk? Go to a higher ranked school and pay more money?

I'd appreciate any advice.

[magnum_law]

LSAT and GPA?

[usernotfound]

For better or worse, anyone here is going to tell you none of those are options and to retake the LSAT.

[SFSpartan]

TCR is likely to retake/reapply. Would also be helpful to know what you are doing in your current career/what prospects there are, as that likely affects this decision.

Also, keep in mind that going to New England makes it more likely than not that you will spend three years in school and then be unable to find a job at graduation, making those three years a waste.

[bostonhopeful16]

LSAT and GPA?

158 and 3.45 (my major GPA is 3.9, LSAC is much lower due to dual enrollment science classes I took in high school).

[bostonhopeful16]

TCR is likely to retake/reapply. Would also be helpful to know what you are doing in your current career/what prospects there are, as that likely affects this decision.

Also, keep in mind that going to New England makes it more likely than not that you will spend three years in school and then be unable to find a job at graduation, making those three years a waste.

I'm in my last semester of undergrad, and am currently working as a Behavioral Therapist with autistic children part time. Although this pay the bills, I would like to work in the legal side of child advocacy.

[SFSpartan]

TCR is likely to retake/reapply. Would also be helpful to know what you are doing in your current career/what prospects there are, as that likely affects this decision.

Also, keep in mind that going to New England makes it more likely than not that you will spend three years in school and then be unable to find a job at graduation, making those three years a waste.

I'm in my last semester of undergrad, and am currently working as a Behavioral Therapist with autistic children part time. Although this pay the bills, I would like to work in the legal side of child advocacy.

Definitely retake and reapply. Also, working for 2-3 years will make finding jobs post-LS much easier.

[lymenheimer]

LSAT and GPA?

158 and 3.45 (my major GPA is 3.9, LSAC is much lower due to dual enrollment science classes I took in high school).

/ because major GPA doesn't matter.

I have a similar GPA, if you can get your LSAT to mid 160s, you'll have much better options and scholarship opportunities.

[magnum_law]

LSAT and GPA?

158 and 3.45 (my major GPA is 3.9, LSAC is much lower due to dual enrollment science classes I took in high school).

I know how frustrating/annoying it can be, but you should truly consider sitting out this cycle and giving some extra attention to the LSAT. I think a 158 is indicative enough of a higher potential with some more studying--even a two point bump can make a whole lot of difference for you.

Your 3.45 is solid enough that you pretty much are not disqualifyed from any law school expect some in the T14 (depending exclusively on a future score, of course). Your entire future can be VASTLY improved by just a few more months of rigorous studying. Even BU/BC would fare you far better than New England or any other TTT/T.

[cheesy143]

I'm sorry but none of those schools are worth it and none will get you non profit work in child advocacy. Public interest is actually very competitive, sometimes more so than big law so you need to go to a much better school for any meaningful work. I say retake

[eagle2a]

No dude, don't go to any of these schools, improve your LSAT score and go to a better school with a good scholly

[eagle2a]

No dude, don't go to any of these schools. Improve your LSAT score and go to a better school with a good scholly. You'll be happy you did.

Look at the employment statistics for these schools on LST

[totesTheGoat]

Look at the employment statistics for these schools on LST

So that OP doesn't have to go hunting:

Albany: You have a 62% chance of graduating into a legal job. You have a 21% chance of graduating into a public service job. You have a 18% chance of graduating into unemployment.

New England: You have a 45% chance of graduating into a legal job. You have a 15% chance of graduating into a public service job. You have a 24% chance of graduating into unemployment.

Suffolk: You have a 51% chance of graduating into a legal job. You have a 12% chance of graduating into a public service job. You have a 19% chance of graduating into unemployment.


Obviously, there's some self-selection involved in these numbers, but the risk you are taking by going to these schools is akin to working your butt off for 3 years taking on debt (cost of living, etc.), only to roll a die. If it lands on 4, you get into the public service field (not necessarily in the child advocacy area). If it lands on 3, you don't get a job. If it lands on 2 or 1, you get a job, but it's not a full-time job as an attorney. If it lands on 5 or 6 you get a full-time job in an area of law that isn't public service.

My advice: Take a couple years to build some more work experience and pay down some of that UG loan. Then start studying for the LSAT with the goal of scoring above 165. Then, shoot for T14 or T20 schools.