Top Law Schools

howlery wrote:I've gathered that school prestige--barring HYPS--does not really give one a boost in LS admissions. However, since I'd like to do something else, even if it is related to the law, before LS would it make sense to transfer to a school with more recognition? I ask because I'll be graduating with a degree in Philosophy from a public school that isn't really respected in its state or known nationally. If I transferred to another school, say a "lower ivy" or other T25 school, would my employment prospects improve?

There are numerous job postings as well as posts on TLS that say top firms only hire paralegals (something I'm very interested in) who come from reputable schools with great GPAs, for example.

Also, not sure if this is in the proper forum. Feel free to shuffle it.

Patriot1208 wrote:You'll have vastly greater post-undergrad employment prospects at a school like Cornell, Brown, NU, ND, JHU, WUSTL, Emory, Vanderbilt, etc than you'd have at a "not very well respected state university". It, of course, will depend on what you want to do and what school you go to but if you just want to be a paralegal for a couple years before LS I probably wouldn't take on extra debt to transfer. But if for instance you'd like to get a Consulting job for a couple years before LS you'll likely need the transfer and it could be worth it financially as well.

howlery wrote:Its too early to bump this, right? I've done some research and it looks like Vandy and Mich are the only top-ish schools with decent acceptance rates.

laxbrah420 wrote:I think it's worth noting that those schools will be more difficult

howlery wrote:Its too early to bump this, right? I've done some research and it looks like Vandy and Mich are the only top-ish schools with decent acceptance rates.

zettsscores40 wrote:

howlery wrote:Its too early to bump this, right? I've done some research and it looks like Vandy and Mich are the only top-ish schools with decent acceptance rates.

What's your state of residency? Michigan OOS tuition is not worth it unless you're in engineering, Ross, or your parents are footing the bill and don't care. It might open up some doors through alumni connections in major cities like NYC, DC, and Chicago but you're looking at over $40,000 in tuition as an out of stater at Michigan.

http://www.finaid.umich.edu/TopNav/Abou ... dance.aspx

howlery wrote:

Patriot1208 wrote:You'll have vastly greater post-undergrad employment prospects at a school like Cornell, Brown, NU, ND, JHU, WUSTL, Emory, Vanderbilt, etc than you'd have at a "not very well respected state university". It, of course, will depend on what you want to do and what school you go to but if you just want to be a paralegal for a couple years before LS I probably wouldn't take on extra debt to transfer. But if for instance you'd like to get a Consulting job for a couple years before LS you'll likely need the transfer and it could be worth it financially as well.

Even with paralegal positions I imagine it would be close to impossible to get an interview with a big or mid law firm coming from my school. Especially since I plan to relocate after graduating.

I know this isn't College Confidential or anything, but can you all recommend some decent schools to apply to?

MTal wrote:It's actually spelled PresTTTige.

acrossthelake wrote:Some good schools have pretty good financial aid packages, but this only works if your parents don't make a lot of money. Also depends what year you are. I also would've put this in the Admissions forum or something. At least an on-topic forum.

Patriot's point about consulting is credited, but recruiting for consulting and finance jobs start up fall of Junior year for your Junior year internship. Transferring in as a junior might put you at a disadvantage. You can trade up, I know people who did, in your senior year, but you'd need a pretty decent Junior year internship to be able to really do it.

Are you considering philosophy for grad school, or just onwards to law school? If the former, then you want to be at a school that has small enough classes for you to forge good relationships with professors who can solidly recommend you. Or a school with professors who are big in the subarea you want to go into who can recommend you. If it's law school, disregard, that doesn't matter at all.