Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do Forum
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hurticulture

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Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
Just got my waitlist notification from SMU. My other two options are Houston and Lewis and Clark, which both have a seat deposit deadline of 4/15. Is it worth getting on the waitlist? Is it worth getting a deadline extension? Is life worth living anymore? Help me.
- cavalier1138

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
Well, do you want to work for a small firm/local government in Texas or a small firm/local government in the Pacific Northwest?
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hurticulture

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
Yes. I'm not interested in big law.cavalier1138 wrote:Well, do you want to work for a small firm/local government in Texas or a small firm/local government in the Pacific Northwest?
- cavalier1138

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
That was an either/or question, not a litmus test. Where do you want to work? And while we're at it, what's the COA at each school?hurticulture wrote:Yes. I'm not interested in big law.cavalier1138 wrote:Well, do you want to work for a small firm/local government in Texas or a small firm/local government in the Pacific Northwest?
- Thomas Hagan, ESQ.

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
LOL you thought it was a yes or no questionhurticulture wrote:Yes. I'm not interested in big law.cavalier1138 wrote:Well, do you want to work for a small firm/local government in Texas or a small firm/local government in the Pacific Northwest?
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hurticulture

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
I understood your intent with the question; I guess the tone of my response didn't translate. I'm open to either. I've lived in TX my whole life. Wouldn't mind staying, wouldn't mind leaving.cavalier1138 wrote:That was an either/or question, not a litmus test. Where do you want to work? And while we're at it, what's the COA at each school?hurticulture wrote:Yes. I'm not interested in big law.cavalier1138 wrote:Well, do you want to work for a small firm/local government in Texas or a small firm/local government in the Pacific Northwest?
I got scholarships from both. Barring rate hikes, COA AT LC would be 15k/y, UH would be 23k/y. I imagine if SMU accepts me, it would be sticker.
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Rigo

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
So you have almost full rides at L&C and Houston? Or is that how much you are paying in TUITION a year?
Do you live in Houston? Would you be able to live at home and save on living expenses?
Do you live in Houston? Would you be able to live at home and save on living expenses?
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ponderingmeerkat

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
Raised in the PNW. Have a handful of friends practicing law there.
Even though you'd only be paying 45K + COA, I struggle to recommend Lewis and Clark given your situation. The PNW legal scene is small and incestuous as shit. Not saying ties are the be all and end all of the hiring situation back home, but I've heard repeated "which high school you graduate from matters as much if not more than which law school." Just know that's the environment you're trying to crack. Not good.
Now, I'm not saying getting a low-level, low-velocity legal job couldn't be done from Lewis and Clark, but you'd always be an outsider, that "guy from Texas", and perceived as a possible (probable??) flight risk. This is exacerbated by your never ever ever having lived there. If you'd bounced back and forth while growing up and had some distant family in the area...ok. But, no ties at all?? Dude...
So, as I see it, it really comes down to UH for you. Problem here is your COA for UH is too damn high. Well over 100K. Yikes.
So, I'm going to just go ahead and say you have zero good/defensible options here. Just the honest truth partner. (That's what you say in TX right?) I'd retake and reapply next year. Try again to get an LSAT that'll bring you $$$$ at SMU/UH (if you want to work in Dallas/Houston respectively) or $$ from UT if you want state-wide portability.
Even though you'd only be paying 45K + COA, I struggle to recommend Lewis and Clark given your situation. The PNW legal scene is small and incestuous as shit. Not saying ties are the be all and end all of the hiring situation back home, but I've heard repeated "which high school you graduate from matters as much if not more than which law school." Just know that's the environment you're trying to crack. Not good.
Now, I'm not saying getting a low-level, low-velocity legal job couldn't be done from Lewis and Clark, but you'd always be an outsider, that "guy from Texas", and perceived as a possible (probable??) flight risk. This is exacerbated by your never ever ever having lived there. If you'd bounced back and forth while growing up and had some distant family in the area...ok. But, no ties at all?? Dude...
So, as I see it, it really comes down to UH for you. Problem here is your COA for UH is too damn high. Well over 100K. Yikes.
So, I'm going to just go ahead and say you have zero good/defensible options here. Just the honest truth partner. (That's what you say in TX right?) I'd retake and reapply next year. Try again to get an LSAT that'll bring you $$$$ at SMU/UH (if you want to work in Dallas/Houston respectively) or $$ from UT if you want state-wide portability.
Last edited by ponderingmeerkat on Sat Jan 27, 2018 6:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- guynourmin

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
cmon, that response is totally valid. I appreciate it, at least. lolThomas Hagan, ESQ. wrote:LOL you thought it was a yes or no questionhurticulture wrote:Yes. I'm not interested in big law.cavalier1138 wrote:Well, do you want to work for a small firm/local government in Texas or a small firm/local government in the Pacific Northwest?
- Thomas Hagan, ESQ.

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
Upon review, I guess you're right. I think I've just about internalized the "pick a school where you want to practice law" mantra so the correct answer seemed obvious lolguybourdin wrote:cmon, that response is totally valid. I appreciate it, at least. lolThomas Hagan, ESQ. wrote:LOL you thought it was a yes or no questionhurticulture wrote:Yes. I'm not interested in big law.cavalier1138 wrote:Well, do you want to work for a small firm/local government in Texas or a small firm/local government in the Pacific Northwest?
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hurticulture

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
I have 28k/y scholarship from LC, and 9k/y scholarship off in state tuition from UH. I am married, so my husband/sugardaddy is taking care of other expenses. I don't live in Houston currently so no matter what, I'm moving.Rigo wrote:So you have almost full rides at L&C and Houston? Or is that how much you are paying in TUITION a year?
Do you live in Houston? Would you be able to live at home and save on living expenses?
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hurticulture

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
If you know the correct answer, let me know! Haha.Thomas Hagan, ESQ. wrote:Upon review, I guess you're right. I think I've just about internalized the "pick a school where you want to practice law" mantra so the correct answer seemed obvious lolguybourdin wrote:cmon, that response is totally valid. I appreciate it, at least. lolThomas Hagan, ESQ. wrote:LOL you thought it was a yes or no questionhurticulture wrote:Yes. I'm not interested in big law.cavalier1138 wrote:Well, do you want to work for a small firm/local government in Texas or a small firm/local government in the Pacific Northwest?
- zot1

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
Is he gonna be able to move with you? Does either state help/affect his employment?hurticulture wrote:I have 28k/y scholarship from LC, and 9k/y scholarship off in state tuition from UH. I am married, so my husband/sugardaddy is taking care of other expenses. I don't live in Houston currently so no matter what, I'm moving.Rigo wrote:So you have almost full rides at L&C and Houston? Or is that how much you are paying in TUITION a year?
Do you live in Houston? Would you be able to live at home and save on living expenses?
Why would anyone want to be in Houston?
FWIW I have heard the same things about L&C being tight knit.
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- Thomas Hagan, ESQ.

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
I wish haha i meant correct answer as in either "small firm/local govt in Texas" or "small firm/local govt in the Northwest." Not Yes or no hahahhurticulture wrote:If you know the correct answer, let me know! Haha.Thomas Hagan, ESQ. wrote:Upon review, I guess you're right. I think I've just about internalized the "pick a school where you want to practice law" mantra so the correct answer seemed obvious lolguybourdin wrote:cmon, that response is totally valid. I appreciate it, at least. lolThomas Hagan, ESQ. wrote:LOL you thought it was a yes or no questionhurticulture wrote:Yes. I'm not interested in big law.cavalier1138 wrote:Well, do you want to work for a small firm/local government in Texas or a small firm/local government in the Pacific Northwest?
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hurticulture

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
He can and will move with me. He's slightly more employable in Texas because of professional registration, but only slightly.zot1 wrote:Is he gonna be able to move with you? Does either state help/affect his employment?hurticulture wrote:I have 28k/y scholarship from LC, and 9k/y scholarship off in state tuition from UH. I am married, so my husband/sugardaddy is taking care of other expenses. I don't live in Houston currently so no matter what, I'm moving.Rigo wrote:So you have almost full rides at L&C and Houston? Or is that how much you are paying in TUITION a year?
Do you live in Houston? Would you be able to live at home and save on living expenses?
Why would anyone want to be in Houston?
FWIW I have heard the same things about L&C being tight knit.
Houston is not our fave place. We visited LC and LOVED Portland. Are you saying L&C is tight knit, or the PNW employment market?
- zot1

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
Sorry, employment market.hurticulture wrote:He can and will move with me. He's slightly more employable in Texas because of professional registration, but only slightly.zot1 wrote:Is he gonna be able to move with you? Does either state help/affect his employment?hurticulture wrote:I have 28k/y scholarship from LC, and 9k/y scholarship off in state tuition from UH. I am married, so my husband/sugardaddy is taking care of other expenses. I don't live in Houston currently so no matter what, I'm moving.Rigo wrote:So you have almost full rides at L&C and Houston? Or is that how much you are paying in TUITION a year?
Do you live in Houston? Would you be able to live at home and save on living expenses?
Why would anyone want to be in Houston?
FWIW I have heard the same things about L&C being tight knit.
Houston is not our fave place. We visited LC and LOVED Portland. Are you saying L&C is tight knit, or the PNW employment market?
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Rigo

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
I'd just go with your ties and pick Houston over L&C. Houston and Texas in general is just a much bigger market.
Try to negotiate more money out of Houston though.
Try to negotiate more money out of Houston though.
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- cron1834

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
These are pretty bad options for someone with no connection whatsoever to PNW. It's a small and very competitive market. I think the insularity is exaggerated a little, but the competitiveness is not. Lots of people like it there, and you're at the back of the line if you've lived your entire life in Texas.
At the same time, that's too much money to pay at UH, unless your partner makes like huge dollars (in which case, whatever, just do what you want).
So, get better options. Retake or reapply or something.
At the same time, that's too much money to pay at UH, unless your partner makes like huge dollars (in which case, whatever, just do what you want).
So, get better options. Retake or reapply or something.
- pancakes3

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
who's the guy who was a gunner 0L but now is a suicidal 2L at SMU?
- zot1

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
Link.pancakes3 wrote:who's the guy who was a gunner 0L but now is a suicidal 2L at SMU?
- pancakes3

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Re: Waitlisted @ Dedman- what to do
Suicidal is hyperbole but he def regrets it.zot1 wrote:Link.pancakes3 wrote:who's the guy who was a gunner 0L but now is a suicidal 2L at SMU?
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 4&t=265125eagle2a wrote:Don't go to law school unless you're 100% sure practicing law is what you want to do for a considerable period of time. I'm already fucking regretting it
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