UC Hastings vs Loyola (LA) Forum

[apyt]

I've been lurking for a while, but this is my first time posting! (Please excuse any typos - i'm typing from my phone)

I'm deciding between Hastings and Loyola right now since first seat deposit is coming up. And i'm WL at Davis and UCI. I'm coming to a real dilemma...

COA/L is pretty much the same for both Hastings and Loyola (although i'm still negotiating for higher schollys from both).

As of right now, i want to go in to entertainment law, but i also find the digital/tech/gaming areas as possible interests. I understand Loyola would give me more connections if I pursue entertainment law but i'm also trying to keep in mind that three years from now my area of interest can be completely changed to something else. I would like to practice in LA after law school, but again that's if I stick with entertainment when i graduate.

My family lives in the Bay Area which would make Hastings nice in not having to worry about food/laundry/etc as much but i also worry they might be a distraction in wanting to see me every week (my grandma is very adamant on me going to school back home and i don't want her guilt tripping to become a factor in my decision lol). On the other hand I already have a rent controlled place i'm living in in LA, but I worry that my non-student roommates might be a distraction.

I understand Hastings' bar passage rate has been quite low but i've talked to people there and it seems if i stick to making sure i take bar courses and not too many specialty courses it shouldn't be as much of a concern. In terms of promising job prospects (i know for both it is quite difficult) Hastings is stronger in SF but has a reach to LA, whereas Loyola is more centered in SoCal. But i've talked to Loyola alum that have said they didn't find their career center helpful at all but that their alumni network/faculty connections is very strong. And yes, i know both are competing with much higher ranked schools, but please no retake advice - I've researched both schools, talked to alumni from both, and would be happy attending either.

So which one do you think i should decide on?? At least from what i've looked in to they both seem to be coming in pretty equally to one another.. :/

And if I got off the WL for Davis and/or UCI, do you think going to either of those schools would be better for me to go to since they're ranked higher (even though as of now I would like to practice in LA after graduating)? I haven't checked out either of the campuses but I am wary of hearing that Davis is quite isolated (i've only ever lived in big cities) and TLS generally seems split on how UCI is for being a relatively young school.

If you got through to the end of this lengthy post, I really appreciate you taking the time to read this and possibly offer your two cents! I'm just dumping out my train of thought on all this so please ask away if you think there should be additional considerations I should take.

[guynourmin]

What is video game law? What is your familiarity with the practice of law?

[Gitaroo_Dude]

What's your total COA for both? "Entertainment law" is going to be really hard to get from any of those schools, and anything more than about $60k-$70k in loans is too much for either of those schools, particularly Hastings.

[Rigo]

How much does each cost for three years? How much debt are you looking at?

[apyt]

What is video game law? What is your familiarity with the practice of law?

Sorry i should have clarified i meant i'd be interested in doing in-house in the gaming or tech industries.

And to the others the 3yr total cost for Hastings would be $56k and for Loyola it'd be $55k (if i don't hear back on an increased scholly for either), but I won't have to take out loans as my parents will be paying.

[tinyvessels]

What is video game law? What is your familiarity with the practice of law?

Sorry i should have clarified i meant i'd be interested in doing in-house in the gaming or tech industries.

And to the others the 3yr total cost for Hastings would be $56k and for Loyola it'd be $55k (if i don't hear back on an increased scholly for either), but I won't have to take out loans as my parents will be paying.

Strings attached to schollys?

Also, if you want to do in house at tech companies, wouldn't living and going to law school in the bay make more sense?