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Hello, my stats are GPA 3.6 and LSAT 164. Took the test twice, not interested in a third time (or a gap year).

I am mostly deciding between UCI (30k scholarship) or Loyola (150k scholarship). My main other options are Pepperdine (120k scholarship) or ASU, UC Davis, UC Hastings (all are 90k scholarship). I was also admitted to Fordham and Boston College (both with 60k scholarship) and I am waitlisted to GW, Minnesota, and Emory.

Does anyone have any advice between paying ~35-40k a year for UCI versus close to nothing at Loyola if my goal is to practice in LA and start my own firm after a couple years? I also am trying to renegotiate scholarships with some of the schools if anyone has any advice about that process.

IMO, only con of Loyola is that it has a lower ranking, but not sure if that really means anything. Con of UCI is that it is so young, so despite its high "rank" it does not have a real alumni network. They both have similar bar pass rates for CA bar (lower 70's).

There are more cons to Loyola than just the low ranking. Do some research.

https://www.lstreports.com/schools/loyola-la/

https://www.lstreports.com/schools/irvine/

How much thought have you put into this idea of starting your own firm? Generally, it's not a good idea at all until you have substantial experience. But if it's what you want to do for whatever reason, then yes, Loyola is a better option than UCI to minimize debt. Loyola is fine for getting access to small firm work anyway, the advantage in attending UCI comes if you had expressed interest in big law/clerkships. So long as your scholarship is not conditional, and you're aware that attending Loyola effectively shuts you out of high-paying/elite jobs, then it's a perfectly fine choice.

attorneyaaron wrote:my goal is to practice in LA and start my own firm after a couple years

What do you envision doing for those intervening years? What salary do you hope to make?