Cardozo (full ride) vs. Fordham ($$) Forum

[TheLawrax]

Hi All,
I'm a non-traditional student going back to school in my late 20s after spending several years working for a medium-sized business. I'm pretty much dead set on doing public interest law, and am not planning on doing anything related to the business I've been working in. I'm originally from right outside NYC, and have been living here for the past 2 years. Planning on sticking to the recommended $25K a year in living expenses, with an estimated ~$75K in CoL debt upon graduation if I'm lucky.

I got a full scholarship offer with no stipulations from Cardozo. I loved the school when I visited, and have met a number of other students and faculty I like. However, as a relatively young school, the alum network seems like it might be a bit more limited.

I also got a 20k/year scholarship offer from Fordham with a "good standing" stipulation. I have no particular feelings about the school (if anything, the administrative staff have been less than friendly), but everyone I know who has attended there has said that they enjoyed their time there. Also, they have a brand new law school (I know, this may just mean they'll be raising tuition, but there is some value to nice facilities).

Right now I'm leaning towards Cardozo, mainly because my expected post-graduation salary will be $50-60k and I'm dubious about being to afford the extra $100K in total debt that Fordham would give me. However, I would be interested to know if other TLSers think there is added value for someone in public interest law from having a Fordham degree over one from Cardozo?

Thanks.

[Mikey]

For PI I would probably go with dozo's full ride. Fordham isn't worth that much debt, especially for someone wanting to go the PI route. But what's your LSAT/GPA?

[kellyfrost]

Cardozo full ride makes the most sense with what limited factual scenario you have described.

[TheLawrax]

For PI I would probably go with dozo's full ride. Fordham isn't worth that much debt, especially for someone wanting to go the PI route. But what's your LSAT/GPA?

3.6/163 with some decent softs. Already retook the lsat, for what it's worth.

[Pomeranian]

What's the TLS consensus on taking advantage of the federal gov't programs here? Public Interest isn't going to be making much money anyway? Does the price really matter if one enrolls in IBR?

[guynourmin]

What's the TLS consensus on taking advantage of the federal gov't programs here? Public Interest isn't going to be making much money anyway? Does the price really matter if one enrolls in IBR?

I believe it is that there is no guarantee those fed programs will continue to exist?

[jeezy521]

Just went through the exact same decision process, and I think I'm going to stick with Cardozo (I was also considering a couple others).

Here's a link to the thread I posted if you're interested in reading the feedback I got:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... m#p9295493

[cannonballer]

Just wondering, as someone set on PI in NYC, did you think about CUNY?