Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14 Forum
-
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2016 9:56 pm
Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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?
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?
- star fox
- Posts: 20790
- Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:13 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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.
- guynourmin
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:42 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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?
-
- Posts: 417
- Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:26 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
^ OP. Retake the LSAT if you don't get 170+, especially since you've been practicing in that range.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.
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.
- trebekismyhero
- Posts: 1095
- Joined: Fri May 22, 2015 5:26 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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.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?
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 753
- Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2016 9:57 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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).
-
- Posts: 156
- Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2015 6:00 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
.
Last edited by Bach-City on Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
- PrezRand
- Posts: 1608
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 4:31 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
Vandy's placement isn't higher than GULC for big law. You must be referring to big law + fed clerkship.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.
-
- Posts: 3251
- Joined: Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:57 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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.
- guynourmin
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:42 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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.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).
- Eldon Tyrell
- Posts: 1370
- Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 10:22 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
- Johann
- Posts: 19704
- Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:25 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
I'd go Illinois or Norte dame or wustl as the next tier below Chicago/NW. I would not do Iowa.
- BlendedUnicorn
- Posts: 9318
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 2:40 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
Yeah, it's a tough market.Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2016 5:13 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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%.HuntedUnicorn wrote:Yeah, it's a tough market.Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
- trebekismyhero
- Posts: 1095
- Joined: Fri May 22, 2015 5:26 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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 opportunitiessnowball2 wrote: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%.HuntedUnicorn wrote:Yeah, it's a tough market.Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
- BlendedUnicorn
- Posts: 9318
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 2:40 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
I don't know what this means.snowball2 wrote: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%.HuntedUnicorn wrote:Yeah, it's a tough market.Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
-
- Posts: 31195
- Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2014 12:23 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
They're trying to say it's easier to get top 15% at UIUC/ND or top 10% at DePaul/Loyola than median at NUHuntedUnicorn wrote:I don't know what this means.snowball2 wrote: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%.HuntedUnicorn wrote:Yeah, it's a tough market.Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
lol
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
- BlendedUnicorn
- Posts: 9318
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 2:40 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
Ahh, I guess my fail safe kicked in then.Nebby wrote:They're trying to say it's easier to get top 15% at UIUC/ND or top 10% at DePaul/Loyola than median at NUHuntedUnicorn wrote:I don't know what this means.snowball2 wrote: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%.HuntedUnicorn wrote:Yeah, it's a tough market.Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
lol
-
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 4:39 am
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
+1HuntedUnicorn wrote:Yeah, it's a tough market.Eldon Tyrell wrote:If you're trying to work biglaw in Chicago I would never ever go anywhere below northwestern.
+1JohannDeMann wrote:I'd go Illinois or Norte dame or wustl as the next tier below Chicago/NW. I would not do Iowa.
-
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:12 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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).
- trebekismyhero
- Posts: 1095
- Joined: Fri May 22, 2015 5:26 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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 youmickey_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).
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!
Already a member? Login
- guynourmin
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:42 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
mickey_mouse wrote: chicago
Are you from Chicago?
-
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:12 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
Yes.guybourdin wrote:mickey_mouse wrote: chicago
Are you from Chicago?
I think we can agree that median at DePaul/ Loyola/ Kent and median at OSU/ Wisc/ Iowa are probably screwed.
- trebekismyhero
- Posts: 1095
- Joined: Fri May 22, 2015 5:26 pm
Re: Chicago legal market - schools to consider outside the t14
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.mickey_mouse wrote:Yes.guybourdin wrote:mickey_mouse wrote: chicago
Are you from Chicago?
I think we can agree that median at DePaul/ Loyola/ Kent and median at OSU/ Wisc/ Iowa are probably screwed.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login