Fordham ($) vs Cardozo ($$$$) vs Brooklyn ($$$$) vs Seton Hall($$) Forum

[novaby6]

Just got accepted to Fordham off the waitlist and got $10k/year fully guaranteed. Cardozo gave $50k/year fully guaranteed, Seton Hall $35/year fully guaranteed and Brooklyn gave whatever the cost of tuition fully guaranteed.

I currently live in NYC so I would be commuting to school. My COL is much lower than a normal resident as I live in a rent stabilezed apartment with roommates and pay $665/month.

My goal is big law in NY and while I realize this is an uphill battle at any of these schools, I imagine Fordham will give me the best shot- but is it worth the debt? I will be taking out loans to finance the cost of school.

I've taken the LSAT 3 times so retake/reapply isn't an option, which is unfortunate since I scored a lot worse on test day than on practice tests, but such is life. I ended up applying with a 162/3.4.

I haven't yet negotiated with any of these schools regarding an increase in scholarship so that is an option worth considering.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[cgra1916]

Just got accepted to Fordham off the waitlist and got $10k/year fully guaranteed. Cardozo gave $50k/year fully guaranteed, Seton Hall $35/year fully guaranteed and Brooklyn gave whatever the cost of tuition fully guaranteed.

I currently live in NYC so I would be commuting to school. My COL is much lower than a normal resident as I live in a rent stabilezed apartment with roommates and pay $665/month.

My goal is big law in NY and while I realize this is an uphill battle at any of these schools, I imagine Fordham will give me the best shot- but is it worth the debt? I will be taking out loans to finance the cost of school.

I've taken the LSAT 3 times so retake/reapply isn't an option, which is unfortunate since I scored a lot worse on test day than on practice tests, but such is life. I ended up applying with a 162/3.4.

I haven't yet negotiated with any of these schools regarding an increase in scholarship so that is an option worth considering.

Thanks in advance for the help!

I know this may not help, and I apologize for this. But if you don't mind me asking, what did you do to get 162? My goal is 160+, and I have a 3.4 gpa as well. I am also URM, are you a URM? Thanks, and I apologize for this not being relevant to your original question, regardless all the best in your upcoming decision.

[novaby6]

No worries- I just took practice tests and was doing well enough that I didn't feel the need to take a course. Looking back, this seems to have been a mistake on my part haha. Best of luck!

[Mikey]

Honestly the only school here that I think is your best option is Brooklyn. Although not the greatest of NY law schools, it's a full ride with no stips. If you want big law from any of these schools you will for sure need to be in the top 10%, and at Fordham maybe around 20%. Speaking of Fordham, no, it's not worth that much debt at all. It's way too much just for a slight increase at biglaw chances. I would say retake but since you've already maxed out your takes, you can wait until you can take it again, or take the Brooklyn full ride and re-evaluate your goals.

Also, since you haven't negotiated, I can't really imagine Fordham giving you a significant increase but you can try asking for more and see what happens.

[joeyc328]

Take 2 years off and study until you get a 170 and go to NYU. Would you rather have a 70% chance of big law and be lawyer for 38 years or a 35% chance of big law and be a lawyer for 40 years.