Top Law Schools

Here's the deal...

I want to stay in the Southeast after I graduate. Parents are helping out with the payment of loans.

Pro's USC:
-Went to school in SC
-A bit cheaper
-"Safer" pick

Con's USC:
-Crap facilities
-Very insular state/less mobility

Pro's LSU:
-Better law school
-Nicer facilities
-Better prospects

Con's LSU:
-Not very familiar with Baton Rouge
-Far from home

Go to school in the state you want to work in. None of those schools guarantees you a job unfortunately. Very insular and small markets. I'd probably go to USC I guess since you're from SC.

Anyone else?

Depends upon where you want to live & work. Since your preference is for the Southeast US & both law schools are in the Southeast, I think that you need to refine your targeted location.

I've heard repeatedly that South Carolina's facilities are in poor shape, otherwise I would suggest staying close to home since that seems to be your preference. Do you have any options in North Carolina, Georgia or Virginia ?

As to redefining my location preference, I am happy anywhere from big city southern (ie atlanta) to the coastal areas, which both states have. Does anyone have any information on how LSU places in Atlanta?

Thanks for all the input.

Not certain, but I doubt that either law school places well in Atlanta--too much competition.

Does anyone know how well LSU places in NOLA? Obviously Tulane and Loyola Nola make things a little more difficult but to anyone that has had any experience (first hand or not) with LSU and Nola, how do they do?

USC. they are equal law schools, stay in state and use your connections. plus USC is the best law school in the state while LSU is #2. a lot more tulane grads are probably staying in state with the economy.

you won't get atlanta from either unless you somehow pull some miracle and land top 5% and even then probably not.

A lot of votes for LSU, but the only logic is coming from people who are pro-usc. Anybody have a concrete reason I should attend LSU?

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I don't know if this matters or how different it is, but Louisiana is also a civil law state unlike the rest doing common law. Not sure if LS is treated the same or if it even matters.

USC is the best school in a good state. Some goods jobs and a few decent sized firms. SC, as someone else mentioned, is almost exclusively USC grads or people with very strong ties to SC and relationships based off those ties.

I know nothing about LSU.

Neither is going to do well outside of their respective states without top 5% (Which is 95% unlikely to occur for you) or some very strong ties with relationships somewhere else that doesn't attract many top schools or students.

Assuming you don't want to retake and dead set between these two options:
First criteria: State you'd like to live in?
Second criteria: Which is cheaper after including COL?
Third criteria: Atmosphere of school? - I don't know much about either to be helpful here.

I'd go with USC. 15k less in total debt is about 150-160 or so per month on a 10-year loan.

I had a similar decision between Arkansas and Ole Miss so either way you're not making the worst decision if you attend USC or LSU, especially with some parental help. I will actually have a little less debt than you but still the payments are manageable. With family help (me as well) things can work out okay for you in the end...I hope.

Edit for 2 things: Plan on being in the respective state post-graduation and how much you family can help you out is crucial.