U of Miami vs U of Denver Forum

[coflo20]

Are there any alumni or attorneys working in these markets that could give me their opinion? If you could go to either school for free (University of Miami/University of Denver), which one would you pick based on the quality of professors and education, internship opportunities, staff support (career services), and the legal job market?

I think this might come down to a gut feeling, but any input you all might have would be great!

Update:
- COA: None. Scholarships/GI Bill for tuition. GI Bill/savings for living expenses.
- Born and raised in FL, lived in CO for past 7 years. Law interests: Tax, Arbitration, Real Estate, Int'l.
- I'm realistic about the job market and don't expect to be rich, but I will study my ass off in school and work hard to get as far as I can.
-3.2/158 (taken once in the past 5 years). I went into the military after undergrad so my previous test was in 2009.

[Mikey]

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=206299

[Rigo]

These are two regional schools in very different regions. You shouldn't be choosing between them. Answer the above questions though.

[coflo20]

These are two regional schools in very different regions. You shouldn't be choosing between them. Answer the above questions though.

I just updated my post. Can you elaborate on why I shouldn't be choosing between these schools? Do you say this because I should figure out what region I want to live and work in more than which school is better? Regardless, any insight from alumni and people working in these cities would be helpful.

[A. Nony Mouse]

There isn't going to be a qualitative difference between the education you get at the two schools. The significant difference is in where they can place you on graduation. If you want to stay in Colorado, go to Denver. If you want to work in Florida, go to Miami.

As I understand it, both markets are small, insular, and don't offer a lot of biglaw jobs. When you say "don't expect to be rich," what exactly do you want to do? My sense is that the likeliest outcome out of either is a smallish local firm or state/local government, probably paying something like $40-60k. If you want a realistic shot at big firms doing sophisticated corporate work, it will be very difficult to get from either of these schools.

[Rigo]

Okay at least you have ties to both markets. That's better than most people. But yeah, what Nony said. Figure out where you want to practice long term. You won't have geographic mobility with either of these degrees.

Also with the GI Bill fronting the bill, a retake can be worthwhile because even if you barely slip into a better school, it will still be very affordable.

[coflo20]

Okay at least you have ties to both markets. That's better than most people. But yeah, what Nony said. Figure out where you want to practice long term. You won't have geographic mobility with either of these degrees.

Also with the GI Bill fronting the bill, a retake can be worthwhile because even if you barely slip into a better school, it will still be very affordable.

Thanks Nony and Rigo for your replies. I'm also waitlisted at CU Boulder, which is a consideration for sticking around CO this summer as opposed to moving to FL. I have also yet to hear back from a few schools because I applied late in the cycle. I think another trip to Miami is in order to really decide on where I want to live. There's pros and cons to both, but I at least know there's places where I wouldn't want to live (IL, OR, NY, NJ, CA, PA, NV).

[Mikey]

I agree with them. It's good that you have full rides and ties to both schools/areas, but you need to really figure out where you want to practice. Like they said, with a JD from these schools you won't really have much mobility.

[Dcc617]

Dude, with the GI Bill funding your school you should definitely consider a retake. Since you don't have to worry about scholarships reach for the goddamned stars. I took my first LSAT before I served, then I retook on my way out and improved by 11 points. It is totally possible, and with a few more points you could be looking at UF. With a 7-10 more points you could get T-14.