American Univ. vs. FSU Forum

[tmc682]

Hi everyone! I am stuck between American university Washington College of Law and Florida State University.

American is expensive so I would be paying almost $61,000 a year including cost of living! I am scared that I would end up with about $185,000 in loans once I graduate and still have to heavily compete with students from Georgetown and George Washington.

Florida State University is offering me a scholarship so I may end up with $60,000 in loans. I am from PA so I am nervous about being so far from home.

Can anyone please offer advice on either school and also about if the debt from American University is worth it!

I appreciate any comments.

Thank you!

[cbbinnyc]

First, to just address your question and assume that your only two options are American with 185k in debt and FSU with 60k in debt ... going to FSU seems like a no brainer. The employment outcomes are not great at either school, but they are actually notably better at FSU (66% score at FSU vs. 54.6% score at American).

But this is just going on the limited info you have given.

First of all, what are your numbers? Did you study hard (3+ months, 10-20+ hours/week) for the LSAT? Did you use all three takes? If not, retake.

Also, what are your career goals? If you are ok graduating and taking a job paying 50k in Florida, then FSU is at least a plausible option. American doesn't seem like a good option whatever your goals, and certainly not if you're racking up that kind of debt.

[OutOfTheQuestion]

Hello!

I'm not sure what you SHOULD do, but I am sure what you SHOULDN'T do. Do not go to American. It is not a good enough school to justify that crippling debt. The job outcomes are not good from American. Browse Law School Transparency a bit to see how much debt you should expect:

http://www.lstscorereports.com/schools/ ... osts/2014/

I'm honestly not sure many people would take on that much debt to go to a top 10 law school, let alone one that is ranked as low as American/has subpar job numbers/in one of the most competitive markets with like four other significantly better schools.

I know nothing about FSU, but have you considered taking another year off and reapplying? A slightly better LSAT score could really boost your chances at better schools and scholarship money that would really make a difference.

[cron1834]

American is difficult to justify if it's cheap... it's impossible to justify at this cost.

Why are you interested in FSU, a random state school? Do you have a connection to that region? If no, then you need to reassess your situation, in my humble opinion. It's cheap, but I strongly suspect there aren't a lot of Pennsylvanians who go there and end up with great jobs.

[jenesaislaw]

OP, don't forget to factor in interest on those loans. 185k in principle is probably in the ball park of 220k by the time your first payment is due. FSU is probably about 70k.

[BenGChase]

As someone that goes to GW, and is from Florida...(went to UF undergrad).

Where do you want to end up? If you want to practice in FL, take FSU (also apply to UF #2 Tax Law program...) It's also super early and if you're waitlisted at better schools than AU, I would hold out to at least see if you'll get in there.

AU did just get a brand new law school building, but I don't think it's worth the +200k in loans... FSU is cheap, it's cheap to live in Tally, and it's the State Capital so you likely can get some solid government internships during your 2L and 3L semester. Feel free to message me if you have questions.