Best Co-Op Program? Forum

[Sean Bateman]

As far as I know, there are only two: Northeastern and Drexel. I know many folks on this board would cringe at the thought of attending either school, but what about the rest of you? Northeastern is in the top 100 and has a very notable program, but I am pretty sure one could not say the same for Drexel only because it is a much newer school (give them time). I for one am very interested in the idea of attending a school with a co op program and figured others have had this same debate. So maybe we have something for discussion here. Northeastern or Drexel?

I find it worth noting that both schools operate on a Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer schedule but Northeastern does Co-op/Class/Co-Op/Class (or Class/Co-op/Class/Co-Op) while Drexel does Class/Class/Co-Op/Co-Op (or of course the reversal Co-Op/Co-Op/Class/Class). Food for thought

[AlanShore]

I've heard good things about Northeastern. People seem to enjoy it there and job prospects are better than other schools their rank.. probably because of the co-op program. Obviously it is a regional school only. I got in but I am hoping for a higher ranked school. They are strong in public interest and there is a very liberal atmosphere there.

As for Drexel, I only know one person who went there. graduates in the top 10% and still no job. Definitely could be an exception but who knows?

[Sean Bateman]

Interesting. That is to the contrary of what I have heard about Drexel. But then again, the only people I know there have not yet graduated. I expect to be accepted at both, and possibly even scholarship offers (more likely at Drexel). I know I will be accepted in schools that are ranked much higher, but am considering both of these schools nonetheless.

[AlanShore]

Yeah that girl could have been totally unrepresentative of the job prospects of Drexel.

Northeastern is not that generous because they don't have a lot of endowment money. Drexel on the other hand, seems to be giving out a lot.

[linquest]

Differences btw Northeastern vs. Drexel programs:
Pay: Drexel does not permit paid co-ops. NUSL co-ops can be unpaid or paid up to BigLaw summer associate rates
Hours: full-time vs. maximum of 25 hrs/week
Concurrent requirements: no other requirements other than co-op work vs. one additional academic class + a 2 credit Lawyering Practice Seminar
# of opportunities: 4 required placements vs. none guaranteed (co-op at Drexel is optional, you need to meet certain reqs to be eligible, I'm not sure if there is a max on the # of times you can co-op)
Tuition: no tuition charged during co-op periods vs. tuition charged
Placement options: anywhere in the world vs. only in the Philly region
# of participating employers: 900 vs. 100
Ability to create your own co-op: encouraged vs. prohibited

"I find it worth noting that both schools operate on a Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer schedule but Northeastern does Co-op/Class/Co-Op/Class (or Class/Co-op/Class/Co-Op) while Drexel does Class/Class/Co-Op/Co-Op (or of course the reversal Co-Op/Co-Op/Class/Class)."

Actually, Northeastern does allow students to "switch rotations" so you can do class or co-op back to back. You just need to give the administration a compelling reason (i.e. you're scheduled to be in classes for summer, but get into an internship program that is only offered in the summer), because they want balanced rotations for class size/scheduling purposes. And yes, right now, these are the only two co-op law schools in the country. I wish more schools would incorporate the co-op system into the curriculum.

[Sean Bateman]

Update: In at Northeastern with 8.5k/year
In at Drexel w/ full scholarship.

Although I'm still going to visit many schools this coming spring break before I make a decision, I don't really expect to get full scholarship offers from any other schools, making it a more tempting choice than ever. I've seen a lot of anti-drexel talk on these forums when looking at old threads. ANY drexel love? any current drexel students who'd care to chime in? Anybody else considering the fall 2010 class?

[Grad09]

Golden gate has a co-op program called the honors lawyering program. It is a tier 3 or 4 but a co-op program is a great way to secure employment coming from a lower tier. Plus, if your in at northeastern, you can probably get good money from them. I got 20K a year, and will probably be able to negotiate for more.

Just food for thought.