Top Law Schools

Hi all, this is my first post here and I am looking for opinions. I will be finishing my Bachelor's Degree next year and I am looking into applying to law schools. I have narrowed it down to two schools, but I don't know which one I should choose. Obviously, Emory Law School in Atlanta is a fairly high ranked school, while Cumberland in Birmingham is at the bottom of the rankings. I currently live in Alabama and after doing some research, people are saying that a lower ranked law school isn't a big deal if you are planning on staying in the region. Should I spend the extra money (and a longer commute) to go to Emory, or should I take a shot and stay regional at Cumberland? Obviously, I want a career if I spend all this time and money and I am leaning towards Emory (if I can get in) because I think I will have more job prospects, but if I can get a job in or around Birmingham from a degree from Cumberland I might just stick with them.

Also, as a secondary question, if I try to apply at Emory and I am rejected, I am thinking about taking a year at Cumberland (and do well) and maybe reapplying as a transfer at Emory. Would that be worth it, or would I be better off finishing at Cumberland?

Thanks for your help!

I'm assuming at Cumberland you have a pretty substantial scholarship and Emory you'll be paying close to sticker price?

Louis1127 wrote:I'm assuming at Cumberland you have a pretty substantial scholarship and Emory you'll be paying close to sticker price?

I'm going to be using (mostly) loans so I can be under crippling financial debt.

cnastally wrote:

Louis1127 wrote:I'm assuming at Cumberland you have a pretty substantial scholarship and Emory you'll be paying close to sticker price?

I'm going to be using (mostly) loans so I can be under crippling financial debt.

At both schools? If you have to pay sticker at Cumberland, you probably don't have a chance at Emory (as it currently stands). If you're open to the idea of waiting a year, take that year and re-take/work. Law school will always be there.

carmensandiego wrote:

cnastally wrote:

Louis1127 wrote:I'm assuming at Cumberland you have a pretty substantial scholarship and Emory you'll be paying close to sticker price?

I'm going to be using (mostly) loans so I can be under crippling financial debt.

At both schools? If you have to pay sticker at Cumberland, you probably don't have a chance at Emory (as it currently stands). If you're open to the idea of waiting a year, take that year and re-take/work. Law school will always be there.

I know I will get the maximum amount in Pell Grant and I know I'm allowed the maximum for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. But basically if money is an issue I should stick with Cumberland? I won't be applying for more scholarships or grants until early next year when I planned on taking the LSAT to even see if I score high enough for Emory.
If I obtained the finances and I had a choice though, Emory would be the better option?
I'm already working full-time but money from my job is going towards living expenses so no help here.(wife and kids)

My biggest worry is employment after the fact

If you go to either at sticker you will likely not be able to pay for your children's college tuition.

Post removed...

In addition to the issues with costs that the above posters pointed out, 56.6% of Cumberland graduates were known to be employed in long-term, full-time legal jobs according to the American Bar Association.

Also the 21 % of students who got jobs at firms between 2 and 10 people should give you pause, because while some firms that small do hire associates right out of law school, at schools like this, this number always includes grads banning together to make a firm right out of law school for the sake of desperation.

The top 10 % of Cumberland's class is fine- they do well. But, as you will see browsing these forums (fora?), one cannot count on that, no matter the school.

Cumberland is a decent bet with a full ride FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE, but it is a tragically terrible bet when you are paying sticker price.

Damn, Emory has dropped then? I thought that their LSAT was better than that.

Also - just a quick financial aid FYI, all graduate programs do not offer any federal grant programs. Aka no pell grants. Your only way of paying for law school is your own money, federal loans, private loans, stipends provided by schools (as a part of scholarship awards), or scholarships.

Edit: stipends, as in living stipends. Some full ride scholarships will offer X amount per semester or year for living expenses.

Post removed...

Gotcha. Thanks for the help guys! I'll know more next year. I'll go talk to Emory and Cumberland and see what kind of financing/scholarships I can get for each and make a more informed decision.

Why are you setting your sights so narrow and so low this early on in the game?

Nagster5 wrote:Why are you setting your sights so narrow and so low this early on in the game?

With a wife and kids and a full-time secure job I Am only willing and able to commute so far. Cumberland and Emory are the two closest schools and they are each an hour away.

On the upside, Cumberland sent me a blanket today...


Also: Apply to both and see what happens?

cnastally wrote:Gotcha. Thanks for the help guys! I'll know more next year. I'll go talk to Emory and Cumberland and see what kind of financing/scholarships I can get for each and make a more informed decision.

Do you have an LSAT score yet? Without it, nobody can tell you how much scholarship they will offer, not even the schools themselves.

heythatslife wrote:

cnastally wrote:Gotcha. Thanks for the help guys! I'll know more next year. I'll go talk to Emory and Cumberland and see what kind of financing/scholarships I can get for each and make a more informed decision.

Do you have an LSAT score yet? Without it, nobody can tell you how much scholarship they will offer, not even the schools themselves.

No I'll go talk to them after I take it early 2016. I was just trying to gauge ny options assuming the best case scenario. Good LSAT, etc.

cnastally wrote:

Nagster5 wrote:Why are you setting your sights so narrow and so low this early on in the game?

With a wife and kids and a full-time secure job I Am only willing and able to commute so far. Cumberland and Emory are the two closest schools and they are each an hour away.

You have wife and kids? And you don't have a job lined up? Then for the love of God don't go to Cumberland. Your family shouldn't have to suffer because you gambled away three years and hundreds of thousands of dollars going to a school that gives you a 50% chance of becoming a practicing attorney. Even among those 50% that did get jobs, only a fraction will have jobs that make law school financially justifiable. Also it's a terrible idea to think that you will be able to transfer out easily. Max out your LSAT, retake if you have to, and don't settle for anything less than a significant amount of scholarship from Emory.

Post removed...

barkschool wrote:If you go to either at sticker you will likely not be able to pay for your children's college tuition a house, car, or really anything.

ETA: You have a job? Definitely don't take either option at sticker. Just study hard for the LSAT and better options will open up...like perhaps Alabama for free or Duke/UVA.