Best Option for PD Forum

[ouais_ouais]

I feel like I already know the answer to this, but am interested to hear what others have to say. My guess is that for what I'm interested in, prestige doesn't matter but maybe the sounding board knows better.

My goal is to be a state public defender.

LSAT: 166, GPA 3.41 - taken once

Financing with loans.

From Cleveland, lived in Boston 8 years. I'm 32 for what it is worth.

Options remaining:
Northeastern: COA $54,157
BU: COA $140,608
Emory: COA $122,976
GW: COA $177,507
Case Western: $61,126

[Tanicius]

I feel like I already know the answer to this, but am interested to hear what others have to say. My guess is that for what I'm interested in, prestige doesn't matter but maybe the sounding board knows better.

My goal is to be a state public defender.

LSAT: 166, GPA 3.41 - taken once

Financing with loans.

From Cleveland, lived in Boston 8 years. I'm 32 for what it is worth.

Options remaining:
Northeastern: COA $54,157
BU: COA $140,608
Emory: COA $122,976
GW: COA $177,507
Case Western: $61,126

Northeastern or Case Western. You will get a MA public defender job out of Northeastern, and you will get an OH public defender out of Case Western, so long as you intern in a variety of offices and show you're dedicated. You probably won't get the job before graduating and taking the bar in the state where you went to law school, but that's just the reality of this tough market. You can of course also try your hand at the shitshow national circuit of those ~10-15 offices that hire 3L's from all over, but you should go to law school expecting to be stuck in the state where you're going to school, so pick Boston or Ohio and keep your loans as low as possible. Speaking frankly, the state you should pick is Ohio. Massachusetts PDs are some of the worst paid in the entire country, and they live in one of the most expensive New England states.

Going to Emory, BU, or GW is a stupid idea. They would mildly help you out on that crapshoot EJW fair when you're a 3L, but internships at the offices you want to work are a far more reliable way to get the PD position, and once your foot is in the door at an office it does not matter where you went to school. Sure, you can also go to the T-20 and bank on PSLF, but let me tell you that reapplying to IBR every year to make sure I stay up on to date on PSLF is stressful and full of delays, and I'm now very, very worried that Congress will one day target PSLF for termination before I ever get to take advantage of it.

[kellyfrost]

I feel like I already know the answer to this, but am interested to hear what others have to say. My guess is that for what I'm interested in, prestige doesn't matter but maybe the sounding board knows better.

My goal is to be a state public defender.

LSAT: 166, GPA 3.41 - taken once

Financing with loans.

From Cleveland, lived in Boston 8 years. I'm 32 for what it is worth.

Options remaining:
Northeastern: COA $54,157
BU: COA $140,608
Emory: COA $122,976
GW: COA $177,507
Case Western: $61,126

Northeastern or Case Western. You will get a MA public defender job out of Northeastern, and you will get an OH public defender out of Case Western, so long as you intern in a variety of offices and show you're dedicated. You probably won't get the job before graduating and taking the bar in the state where you went to law school, but that's just the reality of this tough market. You can of course also try your hand at the shitshow national circuit of those ~10-15 offices that hire 3L's from all over, but you should go to law school expecting to be stuck in the state where you're going to school, so pick Boston or Ohio and keep your loans as low as possible. Speaking frankly, the state you should pick is Ohio. Massachusetts PDs are some of the worst paid in the entire country, and they live in one of the most expensive New England states.

Going to Emory, BU, or GW is a stupid idea. They would mildly help you out on that crapshoot EJW fair when you're a 3L, but internships at the offices you want to work are a far more reliable way to get the PD position, and once your foot is in the door at an office it does not matter where you went to school. Sure, you can also go to the T-20 and bank on PSLF, but let me tell you that reapplying to IBR every year to make sure I stay up on to date on PSLF is stressful and full of delays, and I'm now very, very worried that Congress will one day target PSLF for termination before I ever get to take advantage of it.

Tanicius giving solid advice once again. He sets it up and knocks it down. Once you are ready to take the bar exam, be sure to follow up with Tanicius' guide to the bar exam. It is awesome!

[ouais_ouais]

Thanks to both of you! Honestly, this is where I was leaning minus the Case part. I was just about to withdraw from BU but just wanted to double check some things first as reading TLS can sometimes throw your instincts.

I am still debating between Boston and Cleveland even though I know they pay PD shit here. Bigger issue for those two is the move with a partner and him getting a job. I will definitely hit Tanicius up when bar exam time comes.

[Tanicius]

Thanks to both of you! Honestly, this is where I was leaning minus the Case part. I was just about to withdraw from BU but just wanted to double check some things first as reading TLS can sometimes throw your instincts.

I am still debating between Boston and Cleveland even though I know they pay PD shit here. Bigger issue for those two is the move with a partner and him getting a job. I will definitely hit Tanicius up when bar exam time comes.

All bets are off when a life partner is involved. Only you are in the position to best gauge the odds that both of you find a career you're happy with in the same state.