Not sure of schools Forum

[kmp123]

Note: I accidentally posted this in the "Choosing a Law School Section" because I was not paying attention - but I'm new and just assuming this is the right place to put these kind of questions. It seems like it.

Hey everyone, so I've just recently found this forum (and from this forum discovered lst and lsn) so I've been doing a fair amount of research. I know, as far as applying is concerned, I'm nowhere near the strongest applicant (3.5 GPA, 167 LSAT, non-URM) so I'm really not aiming for T14, which is fine by me because I can't picture myself in biglaw, regardless of the money there. I'm trying to make a tentative list of schools, the problem I'm running into is I can't necessarily narrow down a geographic area I'd like to be in - I enjoy the general area I go to school in now (western massachusetts), I enjoy the Boston area, but I also enjoy the area I'm from (Buffalo/WNY). I'd be happy living and working in any of those areas.

What I'm not happy with is taking on ridiculous debt when I know that I won't get (and also don't want) the jobs with the pay to make up for it. So for that reason, I've obviously put UB on my list because I am fairly sure I can get in, get some $$, and I'll be paying in state tuition. However, I also know UB is mostly good for practicing in WNY, but not so much anywhere else.

I'm also just unsure of anywhere else I'd want to go to school because (for what I assume is a common sense reason) I see the price tags of other schools and just say no way.

I guess I have three questions then - am I wrong in thinking that UB is basically my best options, since I'm from the area, like the area, and would most likely get some money from them? Should I stop getting scared away from other schools my stats are in because of tuition, or is that the smart thing to be doing? And, were I to attend UB, would that make my ability to find a job in MA at any point after that (so not necessarily directly after graduation, but down the road)?

[Winston1984]

You would probably get decent scholarships at BC/BU. Not sure that would transfer well to the Buffalo area, but obviously does well in Massachusetts. I would shoot an app to Cornell. I know you don't want biglaw, but you might get a little money out of them, and you may change your mind about biglaw later. Would also shoot an app to Michigan. Maybe UCLA, USC, UT, and Vandy for scholarship negotiations. Guessing your best option here would be BU/BC/Buffalo. If it were me, I would take BU/BC with a large scholarship over Buffalo with a full ride because it doesn't seem like you are 100% set on Buffalo forever. BU/BC would at least give you some flexibility in that area.

Edited for spelling.