Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14 Forum

(Rankings, Profiles, Tuition, Student Life, . . . )
Post Reply
WiltyMIZ

New
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2016 9:56 pm

Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by WiltyMIZ » Fri Dec 02, 2016 3:48 pm

Hey y'all. So I've been doing some soul-searching on the eve of my LSAT (maybe not the best time to think about this kind of thing but...eh) and I'm leaning towards trying to crack the chicago market after school.

As far as grades and LSAT go: I'm at around a 2.8 or so, with the potential to bring that to a 2.9-3 after this year. My LSAT practice scores are consistently pretty high, but knowing the nature of the test, and depending on what sections are the "shitty" ones, I know that it's not an easy thing to speculate. I've been prepping in the 169-174 range consistently this past month or so (save one bad test the other week, but that was still a 167) so, I'd say best/worst case scenario for that would be 172-165 though this is again speculation. I could always tank and then this thread will be irrelevant.

Anyways, barring UChicago and Northwestern, are there any schools in the general vicinity worth taking a gander at? WUSTL and Vandy are probably my top picks at this point, but nothing is guaranteed...at all for those. I know Chicago has plenty of other law schools but they all seem hard to justify given their prices and employment outcomes. Iowa seems like a viable option, but even LST reports are hard for me to interpret given the nature of legal markets in general.

Any thoughts? Do I just retake if my scores fall on the southern end of this spectrum?

User avatar
star fox

Diamond
Posts: 20790
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:13 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by star fox » Fri Dec 02, 2016 3:59 pm

Get above a 170 and then you can either pay sticker at Northwestern or get a big scholarship at WashU, your call. But don't settle for a lower score.

User avatar
guynourmin

Gold
Posts: 3434
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:42 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by guynourmin » Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:38 pm

I believe Illinois is better than WUSTL/Vandy/ND/Iowa/Minnesota/Indiana/Chicago TT(T)s for Chicago. Is there a reason you didn't mention Illinois?

favabeansoup

Bronze
Posts: 417
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:26 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by favabeansoup » Sun Dec 04, 2016 4:56 pm

star fox wrote:Get above a 170 and then you can either pay sticker at Northwestern or get a big scholarship at WashU, your call. But don't settle for a lower score.
^ OP. Retake the LSAT if you don't get 170+, especially since you've been practicing in that range.

It might mean taking a year off working between graduation and law school, but it would benefit your career options and expected debt load tremendously. Don't settle for lower ranked schools just because you feel like you need to go to law school immediately.

User avatar
trebekismyhero

Silver
Posts: 1095
Joined: Fri May 22, 2015 5:26 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by trebekismyhero » Thu Dec 08, 2016 3:25 pm

guybourdin wrote:I believe Illinois is better than WUSTL/Vandy/ND/Iowa/Minnesota/Indiana/Chicago TT(T)s for Chicago. Is there a reason you didn't mention Illinois?
Yeah, retake to get into NU, but after that Illinois is usually the best bet. I'd say Illinois/ND are basically tied followed by WUSTL for Chicago.

Want to continue reading?

Register now to search topics and post comments!

Absolutely FREE!


dm1683

Silver
Posts: 753
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2016 9:57 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by dm1683 » Sat Dec 24, 2016 2:48 am

I would put Notre Dame up there with WashU and Illinois as the top secondary schools for the Chicago market, what with its almost cultish alumni network and strong Midwestern reputation. Avoid Loyola, Depaul, Chicago-Kent, and Marquette like the plague (although full rides to the first two wouldn't be a death sentence as long as you cut your losses and drop out if you aren't above median).

Bach-City

Bronze
Posts: 156
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2015 6:00 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by Bach-City » Sat Dec 24, 2016 9:40 am

.
Last edited by Bach-City on Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
PrezRand

Gold
Posts: 1608
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 4:31 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by PrezRand » Sat Dec 24, 2016 2:27 pm

Bach-City wrote:Vandy has had some pretty solid BigLaw placement recently (higher than GULC, for whatever that's worth) so I wouldn't discount them if you get a good scholarship.

If I were you with a 170+ I'd take a run a Northwestern at sticker and see what kind of scholarship you can get at Vandy, WUSTL, WashU, and Notre Dame. I'd also apply to any T14 where you're above their 75th, no reason not to take a run at it, and any T14 can probably get you back to Chicago if you have ties.
Vandy's placement isn't higher than GULC for big law. You must be referring to big law + fed clerkship.

20170322

Gold
Posts: 3251
Joined: Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:57 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by 20170322 » Sat Dec 24, 2016 2:53 pm

star fox wrote:Get above a 170 and then you can either pay sticker at Northwestern or get a big scholarship at WashU, your call. But don't settle for a lower score.

Want to continue reading?

Register for access!

Did I mention it was FREE ?


User avatar
guynourmin

Gold
Posts: 3434
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:42 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by guynourmin » Sat Dec 24, 2016 3:05 pm

dm1683 wrote:I would put Notre Dame up there with WashU and Illinois as the top secondary schools for the Chicago market, what with its almost cultish alumni network and strong Midwestern reputation. Avoid Loyola, Depaul, Chicago-Kent, and Marquette like the plague (although full rides to the first two wouldn't be a death sentence as long as you cut your losses and drop out if you aren't above median).
No discernible difference b.t any of the non-t14, non-John Marshall Chicago schools IMO. To say Loyola for free is fine but Kent should be avoided like the plague seems strange. Of course, all should be avoided if you're BL or bust, all should be almost free, and you should be going in expecting small law/pd/non-legal, etc.

User avatar
Eldon Tyrell

Silver
Posts: 1370
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 10:22 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by Eldon Tyrell » Sat Dec 24, 2016 3:08 pm

If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.

User avatar
Johann

Diamond
Posts: 19704
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:25 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by Johann » Sat Dec 24, 2016 3:18 pm

I'd go Illinois or Norte dame or wustl as the next tier below Chicago/NW. I would not do Iowa.

User avatar
BlendedUnicorn

Platinum
Posts: 9318
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 2:40 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by BlendedUnicorn » Sat Dec 24, 2016 4:59 pm

Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
Yeah, it's a tough market.

Register now!

Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.

It's still FREE!


snowball2

Bronze
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2016 5:13 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by snowball2 » Wed Dec 28, 2016 12:25 pm

HuntedUnicorn wrote:
Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
Yeah, it's a tough market.
Northwestern will get you into biglaw, but if you don't perform well, then it doesn't matter. On the other hand, end up at the top 15% of Illinois or Notre Dame and you'll get biglaw opportunities in Chicago. For DePaul/Loyola you'll need to be in top 10%.

User avatar
trebekismyhero

Silver
Posts: 1095
Joined: Fri May 22, 2015 5:26 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by trebekismyhero » Wed Dec 28, 2016 12:28 pm

snowball2 wrote:
HuntedUnicorn wrote:
Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
Yeah, it's a tough market.
Northwestern will get you into biglaw, but if you don't perform well, then it doesn't matter. On the other hand, end up at the top 15% of Illinois or Notre Dame and you'll get biglaw opportunities in Chicago. For DePaul/Loyola you'll need to be in top 10%.
Illinois and ND have a little more separation than that from Depaul/Loyola. For DePaul/Loyola/Kent you definitely need to be top 10%. Illinois and ND you can be in the top 25% and still have big law opportunities

User avatar
BlendedUnicorn

Platinum
Posts: 9318
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 2:40 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by BlendedUnicorn » Wed Dec 28, 2016 1:56 pm

snowball2 wrote:
HuntedUnicorn wrote:
Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
Yeah, it's a tough market.
Northwestern will get you into biglaw, but if you don't perform well, then it doesn't matter. On the other hand, end up at the top 15% of Illinois or Notre Dame and you'll get biglaw opportunities in Chicago. For DePaul/Loyola you'll need to be in top 10%.
I don't know what this means.

Nebby

Diamond
Posts: 31195
Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2014 12:23 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by Nebby » Wed Dec 28, 2016 2:01 pm

HuntedUnicorn wrote:
snowball2 wrote:
HuntedUnicorn wrote:
Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
Yeah, it's a tough market.
Northwestern will get you into biglaw, but if you don't perform well, then it doesn't matter. On the other hand, end up at the top 15% of Illinois or Notre Dame and you'll get biglaw opportunities in Chicago. For DePaul/Loyola you'll need to be in top 10%.
I don't know what this means.
They're trying to say it's easier to get top 15% at UIUC/ND or top 10% at DePaul/Loyola than median at NU



lol

Get unlimited access to all forums and topics

Register now!

I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...


User avatar
BlendedUnicorn

Platinum
Posts: 9318
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 2:40 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by BlendedUnicorn » Wed Dec 28, 2016 2:10 pm

Nebby wrote:
HuntedUnicorn wrote:
snowball2 wrote:
HuntedUnicorn wrote:
Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
Yeah, it's a tough market.
Northwestern will get you into biglaw, but if you don't perform well, then it doesn't matter. On the other hand, end up at the top 15% of Illinois or Notre Dame and you'll get biglaw opportunities in Chicago. For DePaul/Loyola you'll need to be in top 10%.
I don't know what this means.
They're trying to say it's easier to get top 15% at UIUC/ND or top 10% at DePaul/Loyola than median at NU



lol
Ahh, I guess my fail safe kicked in then.

hangingtree

New
Posts: 77
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 4:39 am

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by hangingtree » Sat Dec 31, 2016 7:25 am

HuntedUnicorn wrote:
Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
Yeah, it's a tough market.
+1
JohannDeMann wrote:I'd go Illinois or Norte dame or wustl as the next tier below Chicago/NW. I would not do Iowa.
+1

mickey_mouse

Bronze
Posts: 157
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:12 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by mickey_mouse » Wed Jan 04, 2017 9:49 am

After the Illinois/ ND/ WUSTL tier, some of the other Big Ten schools also seem to place a couple kids in Chi BigLaw each year. I'm talking Wisconsin, Ohio State, IU. I might recommend these above Depaul, Kent, etc. because at least you have the school's home secondary market to fall back on (But with no ties, secondary mkts will know they're your fallback). But Chicago legal market is tough unless you're at UC, NU or Mich. To give you perspective, I was ~top 25% at UC/NU/Mich and got just two big firm offers in Chicago (I naively thought top 25% at T14 I'd have my pick of firms. Not so in Chicago at least).

User avatar
trebekismyhero

Silver
Posts: 1095
Joined: Fri May 22, 2015 5:26 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by trebekismyhero » Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:59 am

mickey_mouse wrote:After the Illinois/ ND/ WUSTL tier, some of the other Big Ten schools also seem to place a couple kids in Chi BigLaw each year. I'm talking Wisconsin, Ohio State, IU. I might recommend these above Depaul, Kent, etc. because at least you have the school's home secondary market to fall back on (But with no ties, secondary mkts will know they're your fallback). But Chicago legal market is tough unless you're at UC, NU or Mich. To give you perspective, I was ~top 25% at UC/NU/Mich and got just two big firm offers in Chicago (I naively thought top 25% at T14 I'd have my pick of firms. Not so in Chicago at least).
If you want to be in Chicago you shouldn't go to IU/Wisconsin/OSU. Yes, if you're top 10% at those schools you have a shot at big law in Chicago, but same for Loyola/Kent/DePaul and median from the latter will almost certainly place better in Chicago than the prior. Now if you're not set on Chicago then I would agree with you

Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.

Register now, it's still FREE!


User avatar
guynourmin

Gold
Posts: 3434
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:42 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by guynourmin » Wed Jan 04, 2017 2:26 pm

mickey_mouse wrote: chicago

Are you from Chicago?

mickey_mouse

Bronze
Posts: 157
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:12 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by mickey_mouse » Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:19 am

guybourdin wrote:
mickey_mouse wrote: chicago

Are you from Chicago?
Yes.

I think we can agree that median at DePaul/ Loyola/ Kent and median at OSU/ Wisc/ Iowa are probably screwed.

User avatar
trebekismyhero

Silver
Posts: 1095
Joined: Fri May 22, 2015 5:26 pm

Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14

Post by trebekismyhero » Fri Jan 06, 2017 3:28 pm

mickey_mouse wrote:
guybourdin wrote:
mickey_mouse wrote: chicago

Are you from Chicago?
Yes.

I think we can agree that median at DePaul/ Loyola/ Kent and median at OSU/ Wisc/ Iowa are probably screwed.
Agreed, but at that point it comes down to hustle and networking alumni contacts, so if you're targeting Chicago, OSU/Wisc/Iowa provide no advantage over the Chicago schools.

Seriously? What are you waiting for?

Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!


Post Reply

Return to “Choosing a Law School”