Top Law Schools

So I just got in off the waitlist at USC. I'm actually in New York right now looking for housing, and now I don't know what to do. I'm not sure what kind of law I want to practice or where. I was REALLY excited to move to New York because I actually greatly dislike Southern California. But the thought of going to a school with slightly more name recognition and such a HUGE alumni network is pretty appealing.

I'm getting a little money from Fordham and no money from USC.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?? Someone just make my decision for me.

Also, is USC's international job placement really that low?

Thanks in advance.

I am just curious what is your gpa and lsat if you don't mind?

SoCAL

Congrats on your acceptance! I'd say if you want to work on the Northeast, Fordham is probably the better choice. Otherwise, and especially if you want to practice on the West Coast, USC has the advantage. I'm not sure about their international placement, though in the area of international law they are relatively lacking compared to other schools I've been looking at.

I was REALLY excited to move to New York because I actually greatly dislike Southern California.

Fordham!

Tofu, you just want the cookies I said I'd bake! .

Thanks for the fast replies, guys. UGH I am the most indecisive person EVER!!

fordham.

Rats, you caught me. I won't lie; I want some of those cookies.

Hey SoCal, I think you got my spot. I'm not kidding. I paid my first deposit, but I sent an email two days ago explaining that in light of my new LSAT score i'm not enrolling in law school this year...

congratulations! i'm glad it (probably) went to a TLSer...

by the way, i don't think this is true:

though in the area of international law they are relatively lacking compared to other schools I've been looking at.

USC has a new dual degree LL.M. program with the London School of Economics, which is, as anyone has ever spent anytime in the UK knows, like gold there. I was gonna do it; that's why I applied actually... I'm telling you, I live in Europe, been here for the past 2 years, the LSE is Harvard status on this side of the Atlantic.

USC girls are super-ultra hot too, was there 10 days ago visiting. Super-ultra hot.

(not sure if that last remark will matter to you, but maybe...)

Also, the USC alum network is plenty strong enough to get you back to NYC. USC owns the Entertainment Law industry (along with UCLA), there's plenty of that sort of thing in NYC...Fordham to Cali however, probably ain't happenin.

I know LA isnt the best city in the world, but the weather's great and it's beautiful, plus much higher ranked school/name recognition. I'd go USC.

Haha, no, the hot girls thing doesn't help me out. Um, from what I saw on campus, though, USC had some pretty good looking guys, which is more my thing .

It's just that I grew up in LA, went to undergrad in socal, and was really dying to get out.

Thanks for the insight about the LSE! In my perfect world, I'd score a gig somewhere in Spain...any idea how Spain feels about the LSE? I know that doing an exchange program in a specific country doesn't necessarily help with job placement there a few years later, but Fordham has a program in Madrid. I always thought that if I couldn't land a job in Spain, at least I got to study there one last time. At USC my only study abroad options are London and Hong Kong (not that I'm knocking either...I love London, and have never been to HK).

Letting study abroad options make my decision for me is stupid, I know, I know...

Thanks, all, for humoring my indecision.

Btw, Normalien, congrats on the new LSAT score!

I just meant compared to, say Georgetown, Duke, and Michigan (among others), USC does not quite offer the same options for those interested in the international realm of things.

On the positive side, this is a good choice to have although it is not an easy one. If you took away the anti-LA stance you have (which is very understandable since you have already been there for so long and want new experiences), the evident choice is clearly USC. Fordham is an excellent law school, but in both overall reputation for both the university and the law school, USC has a stronger name both in America and overseas.

Going from USC to NYC firms is not that hard of a jump. Going from Fordham to Cali is a lot harder as someone earlier pointed out.

Since you mentioned that prestige matters to you in a note to me, I am leaning towards your going to USC. It is enough of a gap in reputation that USC will open more doors that Fordham. Of course, the risk is that you will get stuck in SoCal, where USC ties are amazingly strong (the alumni network is like a tribe banded together).

Best of luck, there is no bad decision here.

Cheers,

Ken

I just meant compared to, say Georgetown, Duke, and Michigan (among others), USC does not quite offer the same options for those interested in the international realm of things.

Sure, but those schools are T14, whereas neither of the schools in this mix are.

Letting study abroad options make my decision for me is stupid, I know, I know...

If it is, I'm just as stupid (but I don't think it is). If you're like me and you wanna wind up in Europe permanently or semi-permanently, that move isn't gonna make itself; we have to consider these things up front.

I can't say from experience how the LSE will go over in Spain, but the program is for a British LL.M., not a Spanish LL.M, so...? On the other hand, I can't imagine that having an LSE degree on your resume could hurt you anywhere really...

You'll be in good shape either way you go...

Good info on USC dual degree program. It also only takes 3 years to complete. I am greatly impressed. Unfortunately they only expect 2-3 students a year so I am sure its HIGHLY competitive.

This one is on my radar now however. I am still leaning criminal/sport law (I know, redundant), but that program seems impressive.