Top Law Schools

Hey all. I am new to TLS but decided to get on board when I realized seat deadlines are a few days away.

Basically I am having difficulty choosing between Temple or BU. I am currently a Temple undergrad and would like to practice in Philly or possibly D.C.. Also, going to Temple will be significantly cheeper pending I stay in the top 50% of my class (instate tuition is only $17K). The advantages of BU are the area is a lot nicer, the community seems to be a lot tighter, and of course the ranking. I think I would enjoy my experience more in Boston but am terrified of being stuck there after graduation.

I was just wondering if it makes sense for me to go to BU. Where in the class would I have to be to have a decent shot at BigLaw in Philly? I also have Fordham in the back of my mind but I only was offered 5K/yr there and I don't think the debt would be worth it for me. I am also waitlisted at GW and would love to go there but I am not counting on anything and am going to work on the assumption that I will not get it.

Thanks in advance for any input.

If you have a compelling reason to stay in Philly (during your time at law school) then I think Temple could be a reasonable choice, but otherwise I think BU is the clear choice.

You could try to negotiate scholly with Temple though. If BU is giving you that much, I think Temple should be more than willing to at least match it; otherwise I wouldn't keep considering Temple as an option.

Also, I think that you could probably break the Philly market from BU, but I'm not certain how exactly that might play out. I think you're much more likely to get DC from BU as well.

If you are terrified at the thought of being stuck in Boston after law school & you love Philadelphia & want to work there after law school, then what is the issue ? Especially when considered in light of Temple's lower COA.

If you don't want to work in Boston, then you probably shouldn't go there. Do you really think Philly firms that are full of Temple/Nova grads are going to shit their pants over a BU applicant?

Well no, not shit there pants, I just want them to hire me. But in all seriousness it sounds like your saying BU probably doesn't have reach in Philly?

CW: The issue for me will be if I go to Temple I will forfiet opportunities present at BU that may not be there at Temple (i.e. clerkships, better experience, possible opportunity transfer to t14-though not expecting it). I do not want to do that if I could reasonable expect a good job in Philly graduating from BU.

Lawquacious: I just sent an email to Temple's Financial Aid department but I got the Beasley Award which I think is the biggest award they give.

Thanks again for the responces.

Lol @ Biglaw in Philly. What?!?!?!

Cupidity wrote:Lol @ Biglaw in Philly. What?!?!?!

ayyyyyyyyyyy we got a some in the NLJ 250. at least 15 I'd guess without checking.

philawdelph wrote:Well no, not shit there pants, I just want them to hire me. But in all seriousness it sounds like your saying BU probably doesn't have reach in Philly?

CW: The issue for me will be if I go to Temple I will forfiet opportunities present at BU that may not be there at Temple (i.e. clerkships, better experience, possible opportunity transfer to t14-though not expecting it). I do not want to do that if I could reasonable expect a good job in Philly graduating from BU.

Lawquacious: I just sent an email to Temple's Financial Aid department but I got the Beasley Award which I think is the biggest award they give.

Thanks again for the responces.

What I was getting at is that it's unlikely that when they see BU on a resume randomly sent to them they will jump at the opportunity to hire you just because it's ranked higher. Networking is key right now, and it is a lot easier to do so when you actually live in Philly and go to a school where most Philly attorneys went.

Cosmo Kramer wrote:

philawdelph wrote:Well no, not shit there pants, I just want them to hire me. But in all seriousness it sounds like your saying BU probably doesn't have reach in Philly?

CW: The issue for me will be if I go to Temple I will forfiet opportunities present at BU that may not be there at Temple (i.e. clerkships, better experience, possible opportunity transfer to t14-though not expecting it). I do not want to do that if I could reasonable expect a good job in Philly graduating from BU.

Lawquacious: I just sent an email to Temple's Financial Aid department but I got the Beasley Award which I think is the biggest award they give.

Thanks again for the responces.

What I was getting at is that it's unlikely that when they see BU on a resume randomly sent to them they will jump at the opportunity to hire you just because it's ranked higher. Networking is key right now, and it is a lot easier to do so when you actually live in Philly and go to a school where most Philly attorneys went.

Wholeheartedly agree. Given your geographical preference toward Philly, I think this is an easy choice. If you were undecided as to where you wanted to practice after graduating, things might get a bit more complicated. But since you want Philly, Temple is the better choice for you.

.

Thanks for all the replies. I think I am now leaning towards Temple; I just hope I end up in the top of my class so I do not loose my scholly and end up with no SA opportunities.

Cupidity wrote:Lol @ Biglaw in Philly. What?!?!?!

just off the top of my head -- Morgan, Dechert, Pepper Hamilton, Blank Rome are all in/around top 50 biggest firms

With the exception of Morgan, these aren't OMGz NY law firms, but they're good options for people who want to practice in Philly.

With that being said, I voted for BU b/c, partially as you mentioned out, there are much great opportunities (clerkships, transfers, etc.) If you KNOW FOR A FACT that you want to practice in philadelphia, then temple is a no-brainer, but if you're not positive, I think BU is a better option.

Of course, it also depends on what you want to do. Biglaw? Academia? Clerkships? BU > Temple in all 3 (though idk how strong academia propsects would be)

There's a lot to consider, and it'd help if we had more details (feel free to PM me if you want), but, yeah, I think you realize that BU would give you better options, but that Temple will cost less (though a lot would argue it's worth an extra $ to attend a school 40 spots higher)