Mercer, Loyola or Marquette Forum

[Vardges]

l

[cotiger]

At least retake and aim for big monies.

Of the three, Mercer looks the best.

[Vardges]

At least retake and aim for big monies.

Of the three, Mercer looks the best.

Thanks for the advice

[TheSpanishMain]

Contrary to how it may seem, not everyone on TLS is "BigLaw or Death". There's nothing wrong with being a Public Defender, and you're right that it's possible without going to a super prestigious school.

Just keep in mind that Public Defenders aren't rolling in money, so your first priority should be minimal, if not zero, debt.

[Chriz]

Where are you from? You can do better than these schools.

[Vardges]

Contrary to how it may seem, not everyone on TLS is "BigLaw or Death". There's nothing wrong with being a Public Defender, and you're right that it's possible without going to a super prestigious school.

Just keep in mind that Public Defenders aren't rolling in money, so your first priority should be minimal, if not zero, debt.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind when making my ultimate decision.

[Vardges]

Where are you from? You can do better than these schools.

[hephaestus]

It's great that you want to be a public defender. Retake and get a full scholarship to a regional school like Mercer so you could achieve that.
Edit: also apply to regional schools in the market you have ties to, not the Southeast.

[romothesavior]

Nothing wrong with being a public defender, and nothing wrong with going to a non-T14. But these schools are unlikely to position you well for that goal, especially if you have to go into debt.

You also need to think about focusing on a more narrow geographic region. It seems like these schools were pulled from a hat.

[cinephile]

Where are you from? You can do better than these schools.

Originally for Los Angeles, wrapping up my UG in Boston.

Then you shouldn't go to any of these schools. A lower ranked school can be okay if AND ONLY IF the following conditions are both satisfied 1) it's the best school in its market and 2) you're from/have strong ties to that market. Neither of these are true for you and the schools you're considering.

Law school will still be there in a year or so. Just use this time wisely to study hard for the LSAT and will be a better position.

[Nova]

Edit: also apply to regional schools in the market you have ties to, not the Southeast.

+1

& wherever you go, be sure its in a market you definitely want to practice in long term.

Regional degrees are practically worthless outside the market the school is located in

[Ahamilton]

retake!

[Vardges]

Nothing wrong with being a public defender, and nothing wrong with going to a non-T14. But these schools are unlikely to position you well for that goal, especially if you have to go into debt.

You also need to think about focusing on a more narrow geographic region. It seems like these schools were pulled from a hat.

I don't have a preference to a specific area. I actually would not mind settling down in New Orleans and around Macon.

http://abovethelaw.com/2010/09/student- ... osecutors/

Any insight about the loan forgiveness programs offered to PDs?

[Chriz]

I don't know if it is as easy as just settling down in an area... Particularly at the schools you have mentioned. I considered Marquette 2 years ago but I also live in Wisconsin.

[romothesavior]

None of these are worth considering without a full ride.

It's great you want to be a PD but hiring is tough in all sectors rght now. You need to go to a better school and minimize your risk financially.

[McAvoy]

One bonus if you like Wisconsin, you don't have to take the bar to practice if you to Marquette (or UW).

But unless you get big money, it's simply not worth it.

[northwood]

if you are going to a regional school, and as such will be limited to that geographic region, it might be wise to live in that region for a year or more before you go to the school. That way you can decide if you really would like( or tolerate) living there, can establish residency/ ties, save money, become considered a resident of that state, study for a retake, and apply to the best law school in that region. If during this time you don't like the region, its much easier to move to another one then repeat the above than after you matriculate somewhere.

[ggocat]

Retaking the LSAT is almost always solid advice because a higher score will give you more options and increase the likelihood of a substantial scholarship. Paying as little as possible to attain your goals is of course rational advice.

A lower ranked school can be okay if AND ONLY IF the following conditions are both satisfied 1) it's the best school in its market and 2) you're from/have strong ties to that market.

But this is just echo chamber silliness. Certainly these are two factors that can be beneficial for a law student, but plenty of people satisfy neither of these "conditions" and do perfectly fine--finding employment in the law school's market or in the "back home" market.

[TheSpanishMain]

Retaking the LSAT is almost always solid advice because a higher score will give you more options and increase the likelihood of a substantial scholarship. Paying as little as possible to attain your goals is of course rational advice.

A lower ranked school can be okay if AND ONLY IF the following conditions are both satisfied 1) it's the best school in its market and 2) you're from/have strong ties to that market.

But this is just echo chamber silliness. Certainly these are two factors that can be beneficial for a law student, but plenty of people satisfy neither of these "conditions" and do perfectly fine--finding employment in the law school's market or in the "back home" market.

Sure, lots of things are possible and some people will beat the odds, but you would agree, I'm guessing, that you should try to stack the odds as much as possible in your favor.

[californiauser]

Why private schools? Why not big state u with and retake for scholarships?

[cinephile]

Retaking the LSAT is almost always solid advice because a higher score will give you more options and increase the likelihood of a substantial scholarship. Paying as little as possible to attain your goals is of course rational advice.

A lower ranked school can be okay if AND ONLY IF the following conditions are both satisfied 1) it's the best school in its market and 2) you're from/have strong ties to that market.

But this is just echo chamber silliness. Certainly these are two factors that can be beneficial for a law student, but plenty of people satisfy neither of these "conditions" and do perfectly fine--finding employment in the law school's market or in the "back home" market.

Sure, lots of things are possible and some people will beat the odds, but you would agree, I'm guessing, that you should try to stack the odds as much as possible in your favor.

Seriously. Plenty of people win the lottery too. Just borrow 200k from the feds for school and invest it all in lottery tickets. You're bound to be a winner!!11!!1

[jingosaur]

Yeah, I would suggest that if you want to be a public defender, you should go for a public law school in the state that you want to practice in. Public law schools are generally cheaper with in-state tuition and the alumni network is normally stronger than local private schools for jobs like public defense.