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I got my Feb LSAT back this Saturday and got a 162. My UGPA is a 3.71 in EE. I like in Atlanta and have family here, etc. Im pretty much in at GSU maybe with some money, but tuition is like 8k a year anyways, so not that bad. But there is a very very small chance I could still get in to GWU-PT (though def not planning on it) on the off chance I do well at State (top 25%), I would transfer to Emory, or a similair ranked school (vandy, GWU, etc.) or if I do really well (top 5%), Berkeley or GULC though I am not banking on being anything higher than median. So the question is, GSU at either cheap or free, or GMU at full price or GWU-PT at full price? Future plans are to practice in Atlanta (hence the GSU app) doing either prep and pro or IP lit. If I manage to get on any WL I might take the June LSAT.... all thoughts and/or criticisms appreicated

Deffinitly GMU.

any reason why? I cant see why GMU is worth 140k more than GSU

You should do some asking around town about how GSU students are faring. I've heard that almost all of the 3L is without a job this year. GSU has a good rep in Atlanta, but it's still going to take a backseat in ATL to UGA, Emory, and Vandy when times are tight.

zreinhar wrote:So the question is, GSU at either cheap or free, or GMU at full price or GWU-PT at full price? Future plans are to practice in Atlanta (hence the GSU app) doing either prep and pro or IP lit.

Among these choices, I would recommend GSU. The reason is because of what I bolded in your quote, that you want to work in Atlanta. GW & GMU are great schools no doubt (I applied to both too). Your engineering background & an IP focus in your classes will combine w/ your degree to set up up well in a patent law job. Those schools would open more doors in more cities for you for the first job (D.C. being the obvious most likely).

But if you want to practice in Atlanta, then you don't need that portability and especially at that high cost. I suggest it's just not worth it... During my cycle, I was deciding between GSU and a higher-ranked private school (~30-40s). I talked to an alum of the school and he said, "I loved my experience at the private school, our alums fare no better than GSU grads in Atlanta. If you said you wanted to work in DC or NYC, then definitely go to [private school]. For Atlanta: GSU will place about the same in firms at a much lower cost."

Specifically for patent law, we have a good reputation of Georgia Tech grads coming through and ending up in good firms. As someone else said, it's tough out there right now. But that goes for every school, not just GSU. Unless you are knocking it out of the park, local firms are going to have a slight preference for local grads. I don't know if very many GWU or GMU grads at firms around here, particularly in patent groups.

Of course, this is all assuming that you didn't apply or get in to UGA or Emory. For practicing in Atlanta, I really feel UGA is the best bang for your buck (and I have really enjoyed GSU!). I'm not sure Emory is worth it, but I'm a little more risk-averse... [Risk being the massive debt against the admittedly better job prospects]

As an LSAC Forum panelist said, "Just remember that if you come out with $100K+ in debt, your job options may be limited (rather than enlarged by the better reputation of the expensive school) because you may have to take that 'biglaw' job with that high salary." The lower cost school, if you do well in your courses, can actually provide more options because you don't have to consider your debt in making a choice.

Good luck!

ugawarrent wrote:

zreinhar wrote:So the question is, GSU at either cheap or free, or GMU at full price or GWU-PT at full price? Future plans are to practice in Atlanta (hence the GSU app) doing either prep and pro or IP lit.

Among these choices, I would recommend GSU. The reason is because of what I bolded in your quote, that you want to work in Atlanta. GW & GMU are great schools no doubt (I applied to both too). Your engineering background & an IP focus in your classes will combine w/ your degree to set up up well in a patent law job. Those schools would open more doors in more cities for you for the first job (D.C. being the obvious most likely).

But if you want to practice in Atlanta, then you don't need that portability and especially at that high cost. I suggest it's just not worth it... During my cycle, I was deciding between GSU and a higher-ranked private school (~30-40s). I talked to an alum of the school and he said, "I loved my experience at the private school, our alums fare no better than GSU grads in Atlanta. If you said you wanted to work in DC or NYC, then definitely go to [private school]. For Atlanta: GSU will place about the same in firms at a much lower cost."

Specifically for patent law, we have a good reputation of Georgia Tech grads coming through and ending up in good firms. As someone else said, it's tough out there right now. But that goes for every school, not just GSU. Unless you are knocking it out of the park, local firms are going to have a slight preference for local grads. I don't know if very many GWU or GMU grads at firms around here, particularly in patent groups.

Of course, this is all assuming that you didn't apply or get in to UGA or Emory. For practicing in Atlanta, I really feel UGA is the best bang for your buck (and I have really enjoyed GSU!). I'm not sure Emory is worth it, but I'm a little more risk-averse... [Risk being the massive debt against the admittedly better job prospects]

As an LSAC Forum panelist said, "Just remember that if you come out with $100K+ in debt, your job options may be limited (rather than enlarged by the better reputation of the expensive school) because you may have to take that 'biglaw' job with that high salary." The lower cost school, if you do well in your courses, can actually provide more options because you don't have to consider your debt in making a choice.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply, thats kind of how I feel about everything too, I did apply to both UGA and Emory and got waitlisted to both, if I get into either off the WL I will probably go, but we will see how that pans out. Either way, I may take off a year and go get a Masters in EE as my job will pay for it and i can save up money for LS incase I end up going 100k in debt, Ill have like 60 to start off with so it wont be that bad.

I completely agree with ugawarrent. Also, when weighing options, consider GSU PT. Considering your likely salary with an EE degree in Atlanta, you could go PT, consider becoming a patent agent during school, and then graduate with no debt and possibly more savings (including 401k and other similar accounts). It might be financially advantageous, or it might not, but it would be one way of avoiding debt. I don't wish going PT and working FT on anybody, but you would be in an ideal position to benefit from it.

Connelly wrote:I completely agree with ugawarrent. Also, when weighing options, consider GSU PT. Considering your likely salary with an EE degree in Atlanta, you could go PT, consider becoming a patent agent during school, and then graduate with no debt and possibly more savings (including 401k and other similar accounts). It might be financially advantageous, or it might not, but it would be one way of avoiding debt. I don't wish going PT and working FT on anybody, but you would be in an ideal position to benefit from it.

Yeah, thats what seems to be the most mature decision, although spending any amount of time on TLS makes anything not HYS seem stupid.... but I guess there is diff situations for everyone.. I registered to take the patent bar in the next few months with the goal of becoming a patent agent in the near future, I just got a job as an engineer with GE here in Atlanta and will probably take that, get a free msee, and then think about law school in a year when I have time to save up money and enjoy my life.. Ill prob retake the LSAT as well because something like 2 or 3 points higher (which I think I am capable of) will get me into Emory, and if I have some sort of savings going there wont be that farfetched... but we'll see

Edited for poor grammar