Top Law Schools

COA
UIUC $33,000/year
W&M $39,000/year

international student here.LSAT 164(third time), uGPA above average. don't have the "big law or bust" mindset.I have a Bachelor of Science degree from a top university in my home country and plan to do something patent-related. Although my parents will pay all the cost during law school, I want their money well spent. WM's campus is really charming and it's a prestigious school. But UIUC seems to be stronger in patent law?
I already paid deposit at both schools and got the scholarship from WM increased twice from 8,000/year to 20,000/year, UIUC once from 22,500/year to 34,000/year.
And I am gay. So studying abroad for 3 years is more like an escape for me, not merely an investment. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

where do you want to work? this will drive the decision.

^ These schools feed into different markets. Chances at big law are better (but still not amazing) at UIUC. You mentioned "prestige," I'm assuming you are from Asia, doesn't UIUC have a better international rep than W&M? Not that this last issue matters.

KMart wrote:where do you want to work? this will drive the decision.

Actually I don't have any preference. Both Chicago and DC would be fine. If I have to work in my home country, UIUC is way more famous here. But then things will get ridiculously complex due to the fact I am gay and my parents are not so open minded.

Pomeranian wrote:^ These schools feed into different markets. Chances at big law are better (but still not amazing) at UIUC. You mentioned "prestige," I'm assuming you are from Asia, doesn't UIUC have a better international rep than W&M? Not that this last issue matters.

Yes, I am from Asia. But the thing is I don't really wanna work in Asia.

damonlin wrote:

Pomeranian wrote:^ These schools feed into different markets. Chances at big law are better (but still not amazing) at UIUC. You mentioned "prestige," I'm assuming you are from Asia, doesn't UIUC have a better international rep than W&M? Not that this last issue matters.

Yes, I am from Asia. But the thing is I don't really wanna work in Asia.

Then I'm assuming you need your H1B visa.

As far as I know, that's only really possible from biglaw, and neither of these schools get you there.

If you really need to go this year to escape, I'd go with UIUC. It has a huge population from Asia and experience with helping students get H1B visas not even from big law and if you can't get an H1B at least the Illinois degree should be marketable in Asia.

And feel free to bring your luxury car:

http://dailyillini.com/features/2015/11 ... urn-heads/

I'm sympathetic to feeling trapped in a conservative household, but law school should not be viewed as an escape. You're going to need Biglaw to stay here permanently most likely, as cav said.

That being said, of the two I'd go UIUC. It's less expensive, and what gay person wants to be in rural Virginia for three years?

snowball2 wrote:And feel free to bring your luxury car:

http://dailyillini.com/features/2015/11 ... urn-heads/

That's a stereotype. I don't even have a driver license

Thank you, guys I have been long aware of the harsh reality.
And I will probably go to UIUC this fall.