Law school choices Forum

[tigger03]

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[floatie]

Do you really want to go to law school this Fall? If yes, then definitely take the offer at Cornell - pretty much the same outcome as Duke, but with less debt.

But given that you included job offers in your post, it seems to me like you're at least considering not going to law school this year. Which is totally okay, btw. Law school isn't going anywhere - if either of those jobs you posted is one that you'd really like to do, then go for it, make some money, and enjoy not being in school

[dabigchina]

Not going to law school would be the less risky move.

ETA: I would change your TLS handle.

[cheaptilts]

I would take Cornell for sure.

[zhenders]

Landing a full ride with only a 3.74 is a pretty nice deal. Agreed that working would also be great, but the Hughes is a good deal. Strongly consider it.

[Po$eidon]

I think there's a compelling argument for all three of your options. Getting work experience and retaking has the potential to yield other offers (tho you're a bit lucky w/Cornell's offer considering your GPA), Cornell's offer is stellar, and Duke at a $30k cost difference is defensible. Decide what you want to do next year and where you want to be and you'll have your answer.

[guynourmin]

Landing a full ride with only a 3.74 is a pretty nice deal. Agreed that working would also be great, but the Hughes is a good deal. Strongly consider it.

I think you could be even more emphatic here: reapplying with a few years of work experience and a 175 doesn't guarantee you a better outcome. That said, graduating from Duke (or Columbia, etc) with $50,000 more in debt isn't necessarily a worse outcome. And by all accounts some work experience is really good for you.

This is a tough decision. I say work for a few years if you're not opposed to it. I don't see many good reasons to rush into school. If there was a good reason, though, it'd probably be a t13 full ride.

No wrong choice.

[Dcc617]

Don't go straight through. Take a couple years, save money., get experience, gain perspective, enjoy life. You'll be thankful that you did.

Also, definitely change your user name. Like asap.

[ponderingmeerkat]

Jesus. I get people like to "get their name out there" but first.last as your sn on TLS is...aggressive.

I'd do a few years working, not because I think you'll end up with a better law school outcome but you might end up with a better life outcome. Save some cash (and the freedom that comes with it), build some skills (that you can't build inside the academia "ivory tower") and make some real-life friends (not just school friends).

A full at Cornell is a great outcome--best of your law school options by far--but you'll be in a much better position to capitalize on what's offered at Cornell after you've built some life experience. Either way...good luck.

[Malarkey]

If you want to go to law school in the fall, then definitely Cornell. If you don't want to go to law school, then take some time off.

I understand that you're worried you might lose a potentially generous scholarship and very good options if you take time off. I think that's a possibility, after all you received a pretty big scholarship for your numbers, but if you don't want to go to law school or you think you might not be ready, you shouldn't go, period. But whether or not you feel ready for it is up to you.

[tigger03]

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[Mikey]

Maybe taking some time off from school could be good. But if you're dead set on going this fall, full ride to Cornell is a great option. Congrats.