Top Law Schools

Looking for as much input as possible.

I am accepted at both with solid financial aid packages, but now I need to make a decision.

-The schools you are considering ---

George Mason U, Georgia State U
Also on the waitlist for Michigan, Vandy and Georgetown, but since I'm very debt-averse, I'm basically disregarding those possibilities.

-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each.

Full tuition scholarship at both, Georgia State with an extra $4k stipend per year. So COA would basically just be cost of living in both places (theoretically higher at GMU).

-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings

I have enough savings to cover a modest COA in either place for 3 years (total of $40k in savings from saving up during my scholarship-funded undergrad). Anything over that would be loans.

-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)

From NC, no general geographical ambition. I would like to live in a large city, but which one it is doesn't really matter to me.

-Your general career goals

I have engineering & English degrees and would like to eventually work in patent law, either litigation or prosecution.

-Your LSAT/GPA numbers

3.4 GPA (3.9 English major GPA, but finishing both degrees in four years while working really brought my overall GPA down)
166 LSAT (took the LSAT only once)

Any advice would be great! Thanks in advance.

1. Retake
2. If not, would you rather practice in DC or ATL?
3. Still consider a retake.

guybourdin wrote:1. Retake
2. If not, would you rather practice in DC or ATL?
3. Still consider a retake.

Echoing this. Retake, reapply, go to a better school with some money

I'd hop aboard the Michigan train if you got in off the waitlist. But the retake and sit out a cycle would be a really good option. You get your LSAT up three points you're looking at a drastically changed life in relation to your potential job outcomes

Dr. Nefario wrote:I'd hop aboard the Michigan train if you got in off the waitlist. But the retake and sit out a cycle would be a really good option. You get your LSAT up three points you're looking at a drastically changed life in relation to your potential job outcomes

So you think it would be worth it to go to Michigan on just loans? I doubt that I'd get any scholarship money if I managed to get in off the waitlist, and I only have ~$40k in savings, so the rest would be loans. I know Michigan is a great school, but it's hard for me (since I have no debt from undergrad and am very debt-averse) to justify that much money in loans.

2019jdhopeful wrote:

Dr. Nefario wrote:I'd hop aboard the Michigan train if you got in off the waitlist. But the retake and sit out a cycle would be a really good option. You get your LSAT up three points you're looking at a drastically changed life in relation to your potential job outcomes

So you think it would be worth it to go to Michigan on just loans? I doubt that I'd get any scholarship money if I managed to get in off the waitlist, and I only have ~$40k in savings, so the rest would be loans. I know Michigan is a great school, but it's hard for me (since I have no debt from undergrad and am very debt-averse) to justify that much money in loans.

That would be a personal choice. Countless people here (read: just about everyone) would tell you absolutely not. But I on the hand would take it because the employment prospects are just dramatically different.

ETA: this really is only applicable if you refuse to retake. As I mentioned, 3 points on the LSAT and you'll be in with some money at Michigan this time next year. This would really be the best option