Local T2/3 or Regional T1? Forum

[that1one1guy]

-The schools you are considering: UIUC, Wayne State

-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each: $27,739 yearly at UIUC, $32,290 at Wayne yearly. ($40,000 scholarship at UIUC yearly, $20,000 scholarship at Wayne yearly)

-How you will be financing your COA: Parents, savings if necessary

-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties: Lived in southeast Michigan my entire life. Would like to come back. would settle for Chicago

-Your general career goals: Corporate or civil litigation lawyer.


Obviously Illinois would provide me with the better employment options, and it would be even cheaper with the current offers. For most people this would be an easy choice, however I'd really like to have the option of working in my home market. Would I be losing out on my home market by going to Illinois over a local school like Wayne?

[cavalier1138]

Well, Wayne State gives you about a 50/50 shot at being a practicing attorney after graduation, so that's out. But if you want to practice in Michigan, UIUC isn't that great a choice, either. GPA/LSAT?

And if you mean "biglaw" when you say "corporate or civil litigation", then neither of these schools will get you that.

[that1one1guy]

Well, Wayne State gives you about a 50/50 shot at being a practicing attorney after graduation, so that's out. But if you want to practice in Michigan, UIUC isn't that great a choice, either. GPA/LSAT?

And if you mean "biglaw" when you say "corporate or civil litigation", then neither of these schools will get you that.

Not really sure I want biglaw, with keeping costs down I won't have to worry about paying off debt. Mainly I would just prefer civil over criminal practice.

GPA- 3.4
LSAT- 163

[cavalier1138]

Well, Wayne State gives you about a 50/50 shot at being a practicing attorney after graduation, so that's out. But if you want to practice in Michigan, UIUC isn't that great a choice, either. GPA/LSAT?

And if you mean "biglaw" when you say "corporate or civil litigation", then neither of these schools will get you that.

Not really sure I want biglaw, with keeping costs down I won't have to worry about paying off debt. Mainly I would just prefer civil over criminal practice.

GPA- 3.4
LSAT- 163

I don't know. After fees and interest, you're looking at graduating with about $100k debt. How do you plan on servicing that on a non-biglaw salary?

[that1one1guy]

Well, Wayne State gives you about a 50/50 shot at being a practicing attorney after graduation, so that's out. But if you want to practice in Michigan, UIUC isn't that great a choice, either. GPA/LSAT?

And if you mean "biglaw" when you say "corporate or civil litigation", then neither of these schools will get you that.

Not really sure I want biglaw, with keeping costs down I won't have to worry about paying off debt. Mainly I would just prefer civil over criminal practice.

GPA- 3.4
LSAT- 163

I don't know. After fees and interest, you're looking at graduating with about $100k debt. How do you plan on servicing that on a non-biglaw salary?

-How you will be financing your COA: Parents, savings if necessary

I'm lucky enough that because of my family I should graduate with no debt.

[BobBoblaw]

UIUC

Chicago is a much larger market, and you don't want to live in Detroit.

[runinthefront]

UIUC here, and it's not close.

[that1one1guy]

UIUC

Chicago is a much larger market, and you don't want to live in Detroit.

The problem is I do want to live in Detroit.

[BobBoblaw]

UIUC

Chicago is a much larger market, and you don't want to live in Detroit.

The problem is I do want to live in Detroit.

The problem is you don't want to live where you'd have to live earning what you would make graduating from Wayne State.


Wayne State has some good programs. Law isn't one.

UIUC is a not particularly disreputable law school serving the Chicago market. This seems like a no brainer unless you are married to the D.

[foregetaboutdre]

As someone WHO IS ACTUALLY FROM MI/ GOING TO PRACTICE IN MI, I think my advice might be more applicable. Also Detroit/the MI market is pretty good right now. Just pays less.

Tl;dr: Go to Illinois. Absolutely no reason to pay MORE and go to Wayne. Just do a 1L summer job in MI and continue to network there while your in LS.

Basically (anedotally, this is how employers/law firms in MI view schools. (without regards to law review/grades. Grades will move people up). You do NOT want to play the lottery at MSU/Wayne and get median grades. If you went to Illinois and got median grades + a secondary journal you still might be able to do civil lit SOMEWHERE in MI, if you show enough interest.

Tier 1: Any MI natives from T14 (or whatever) . Particular boosts to HY and M. Lots of Northwestern grads.

Tier 2: (Michigan natives) Notre Dame, MI natives at Vandy, I haven't seen many MI attorneys from other "super" regional schools tbh. Lots of ND grads in MI. I have seen a few Vandy grads. Have seen 1 Emory grad.

Tier 3 - Midwest T1 state school bonanza (MI natives again). Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa. This is because MI does not have a state school (other than Michigan) ranked like above 80-90.

Tier 3 (tie) (with the caveats of high grades) - Wayne/MSU. Super high grades you get UDM grads.

Tier 4 - Cooley. Yes, there are many good lawyers who practice in MI who went to Cooley. Obviously top of the class is required.