CUNY for NYC public interest Forum

[worb]

I'm only interested in doing PI in NYC. I'm from NYC and I have connections in Brooklyn that I already know could get me internships. I have a 168 on the LSAT and my grades are abysmal (very below 3.0) to the point where even if I retook and got a 170+ I would be paying an exorbitant amount at a T20. Clearly, I'm never getting into Cornell or Columbia or NYU.

I guess my question is still about whether it would be worth it to pay more for a higher ranked law school vs very little at CUNY, especially if my only goal is NYC public interest. I have no UG debt.

[cheesy143]

I'm only interested in doing PI in NYC. I'm from NYC and I have connections in Brooklyn that I already know could get me internships. I have a 168 on the LSAT and my grades are abysmal (very below 3.0) to the point where even if I retook and got a 170+ I would be paying an exorbitant amount at a T20. Clearly, I'm never getting into Cornell or Columbia or NYU.

I guess my question is still about whether it would be worth it to pay more for a higher ranked law school vs very little at CUNY, especially if my only goal is NYC public interest. I have no UG debt.

What about Fordham?

[krads153]

I'm only interested in doing PI in NYC. I'm from NYC and I have connections in Brooklyn that I already know could get me internships. I have a 168 on the LSAT and my grades are abysmal (very below 3.0) to the point where even if I retook and got a 170+ I would be paying an exorbitant amount at a T20. Clearly, I'm never getting into Cornell or Columbia or NYU.

I guess my question is still about whether it would be worth it to pay more for a higher ranked law school vs very little at CUNY, especially if my only goal is NYC public interest. I have no UG debt.

What about Fordham?

I would go to CUNY over Fordham for PI in NYC. CUNY is known as "the PI law school" in NYC. Most go to CUNY intending to do PI. A bunch of CUNY 3Ls also do the "work during your third year" thing at a NYC agency (I forget what it's called, but CUNY grads are disproportionately represented).

If you're sure you want to do PI in NYC, CUNY is a great choice - relatively very cheap plus it's known as a PI school.

I will caveat that you shouldn't bank on getting a PI job at most agencies in NYC unless you can speak a second language fluently (mainly Spanish or Chinese). There was a PI event recently and most of the non-profit agencies were looking for SPanish speakers (and some Chinese).

Source: my spouse does PI hiring in NYC.

[worldtraveler]

You're pretty much the poster child for who should go to CUNY.

[timbs4339]

CUNY.

[worb]

Wow, more positive than I expected. Thanks!

[worb]

Well, I somehow got a 175 on the February test. Does this change anything?

[Clearly]

What kind of pi?

[wons]

Well, I somehow got a 175 on the February test. Does this change anything?

Certainly would throw an app to NYU.

[Clearly]

Well, I somehow got a 175 on the February test. Does this change anything?

Certainly would throw an app to NYU.

If the actual goal is small-time PI, why pay crazy nyu money.

Op what exactly do you want to do.

[jotx]

you can apply to root tilden at NYU and get full tuition scholarship

[krads153]

you can apply to root tilden at NYU and get full tuition scholarship

Doubt you'll get it with a sub 3.0 GPA, but never hurts trying. At this point, I might just blanket the T-14 and see if any schools give you full rides (although unlikely with a sub 3.0 GPA). I'd still apply to CUNY. If you're deadset on NYC PI, I'd probably take full ride at CUNY over half price at T-14.

[Clearly]

I think you guys are way overestimating splitter scholarships. If he goes t14 it's for sticker, excepting NU, which MIGHT give him 30-40

[wons]

Well, I somehow got a 175 on the February test. Does this change anything?

Certainly would throw an app to NYU.

If the actual goal is small-time PI, why pay crazy nyu money.

Op what exactly do you want to do.

because small time PI is still not an easy job to get, and he said NYC PI, not small time PI. With the various repayment programs available for true PI folks, it might be worth at least putting the app out there and then diligencing what doors NYU would open if you got in.

[Clearly]

Well, I somehow got a 175 on the February test. Does this change anything?

Certainly would throw an app to NYU.

If the actual goal is small-time PI, why pay crazy nyu money.

Op what exactly do you want to do.

because small time PI is still not an easy job to get, and he said NYC PI, not small time PI. With the various repayment programs available for true PI folks, it might be worth at least putting the app out there and then diligencing what doors NYU would open if you got in.

My post was a follow-up to my post above it asking what his goal is. I'm not asserting his goal is small pi, I'm saying I don't know what his goal is and if he doesn't need nyu to achieve it, he shouldn't pay nyu money.

[krads153]

Well, I somehow got a 175 on the February test. Does this change anything?

Certainly would throw an app to NYU.

If the actual goal is small-time PI, why pay crazy nyu money.

Op what exactly do you want to do.

because small time PI is still not an easy job to get, and he said NYC PI, not small time PI. With the various repayment programs available for true PI folks, it might be worth at least putting the app out there and then diligencing what doors NYU would open if you got in.

CUNY is perfect fine for NYC PI - it's known as "the" PI school in NYC and is much, much, much cheaper than the average law school, including NYU.

I think OP should blanket apps everywhere, but CUNY is a fine choice for NYC PI.

[worb]

Well, I somehow got a 175 on the February test. Does this change anything?

Certainly would throw an app to NYU.

If the actual goal is small-time PI, why pay crazy nyu money.

Op what exactly do you want to do.

Leaning toward public defense. Also interested in legal aid but it seems a lot more competitive.

[silverdoe91]

I'd love to know what the OP decided for the final decision! I know this thread is from last year, but I'm in a similar situation now, so I'm curious to see what OP decided.

[lymenheimer]

I'd love to know what the OP decided for the final decision! I know this thread is from last year, but I'm in a similar situation now, so I'm curious to see what OP decided.

Are we in 2017, or did i miss something?

[silverdoe91]

I'd love to know what the OP decided for the final decision! I know this thread is from last year, but I'm in a similar situation now, so I'm curious to see what OP decided.

Are we in 2017, or did i miss something?

LOL sorry! I looked at the date the poster joined rather than the date posted. I'm new to this forum so please excuse me!

[gator_guy93]

Well, I somehow got a 175 on the February test. Does this change anything?

Good job

[mornincounselor]

I think you guys are way overestimating splitter scholarships. If he goes t14 it's for sticker, excepting NU, which MIGHT give him 30-40

I was posting to disagree, but Clearly is right.



It seems like a huge waste of a 175 to go to CUNY though. I'm a bit disappointed with NY schools, if it wasn't so saturated with trap schools maybe they would have a school at the UCLA/Vandy level.