Top Law Schools

Didn't see one, so figured I'd start it.

Sent the 1st seat deposit last Friday.

Would be nice to get to know some people a little bit ahead of time, even if just online.

I'm probably W&L bound. Visited just last week and got a great vibe from the whole place.

have you guys tried negotiating w&l for higher scholarships? my choices come down between emory and w&l ... i like them both but emory offered a much more substantial scholarship ...

I am on their wait list. Would definitely consider going if taken off the list. Going to submit LOCI and another recommendation.

For those who have visited. What positive vibe did you get? I am wondering since some say that Lexington is rather boring to spend 3 years in.

going for an interview there in a few weeks, anybody else do this? thoughts on it if you did? What did you wear (if your a male)?

lloydchristmas wrote:going for an interview there in a few weeks, anybody else do this? thoughts on it if you did? What did you wear (if your a male)?

Business casual would probably be appropriate.

I was the one who posted that I got a positive vibe from my visit to W&L.

Lexington is hit or miss. It was clear to me the minute I got there that you either would enjoy it or not. Lexington is a small city with strong Southern influences ( architecture, friendliness, quaintness). Everyone seems friendly and willing to halt their day to talk to you or assist you. Having gone to a small UG in the South ( I am originally from New Jersey), I found that W&L was very reminiscent of my experience at my UG, an experience which I thoroughly enjoyed. The small class size, uncompetitive culture of the students, close-knit student body, and the strength of their alumni network ( thought W&L is "only" ranked 25, it has been ranked in the T20 in the past) all appeal to me.

Plus, even though many criticize Lexington for its small size, they forget to mention the benefits of its simplicity. Lexington is a simple town that seems to provide enough distractions to keep you entertained, but not enough to distract you from your work. And the ease of getting around cannot be dismissed- The last thing I want is to struggle finding parking or getting out of traffic just to get to and from class.

This is the only law school I visited where I just felt comfortable. I have been accepted to a few other law schools similarly ranked ( a few higher, a few lower), but right now W&L is at the top of my list. The big factor that might take me away from Lexington is the hefty scholarship money other peer schools are willing to give to me.

I'm excited to visit. From what I've heard the scenery is beautiful. Is it an economically well off area? This may sound weird, but say you're a jewish kid from the midwest and pull up in your german sports car....are people going to stare? or is it gonna fit in? Or will they not mind you at all?

From what I understand they probably will not mind you at all. While the cost of living is relatively cheap in Lexington, that does not mean there aren't some well-to-do people living in the area. Lots of Southern gentry populate the region, so there is quite a lot of money floating around the town.

probably heading to lexington unless wisconsin throws big money at me

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Just a quick question. All of you who have been admitted most likely would have been admitted to W and M as well. What sold you on W and L over W and M?

bump.

i didnt apply to w&m, they didnt send me any emails offering a fee waiver.

lloydchristmas wrote:Just a quick question. All of you who have been admitted most likely would have been admitted to W and M as well. What sold you on W and L over W and M?

I'm in at W&L with $$....but I still haven't gotten a decision on my application at W&M. It's been 3 months people. I'm probably a WL at this point, but I mean come on!

lloydchristmas wrote:Just a quick question. All of you who have been admitted most likely would have been admitted to W and M as well. What sold you on W and L over W and M?

That's not necessarily true. I got into W&L (in less than three weeks) as a high LSAT splitter and have yet to hear from W&M.

High LSAT / Low uGPA wrote:

lloydchristmas wrote:Just a quick question. All of you who have been admitted most likely would have been admitted to W and M as well. What sold you on W and L over W and M?

That's not necessarily true. I got into W&L (in less than three weeks) as a high LSAT splitter and have yet to hear from W&M.

Same here. 2.94/173. Still no word from William & Mary. Weird.

I'm in at W & L and W & M. Splitter too; 171/2.85; and nontrad (graduated UG 2001).

More money from WL than WM helps my decision, but I preferred WL from the beginning. I like the 3rd year reforms. I think it will be a successful gamble. Higher percentage of students tend to find (or want?) clerkship. Also, I like the area better. Far less congestion and as some threads discussing it have pointed out, to get to a larger area, you're driving 45 min to an hour at either place. Both have history, but Lex doesn't have the actors in period costumes strolling about.

I'm very likely to be at W & L in the fall. The other alternative is GW (class size too big, higher tuition). I haven't heard from BU yet, but I still think I prefer W & L.

Any other non-traditional students going to be there? What sold the rest of you?

I'm a non-traditional too. Judging by your graduation date a little bit younger than you though.

I have a graduate degree (MBA), a few years of work experience, and am married.

I'm hoping I can find a good apartment or house for rent for under $800. Sucks that it is impossible to find anything online. At the end of April I'm planning on driving up there and getting a hotel room for a night and spending a day looking for a place.

My wife is likely going to be working down the road in Roanoke/Salem, so I'm probably going to make a housing trip to find somewhere in between the two places. Lots of small towns, I'm sure there are homes for rent, but you're right -- not online. At this point, I'm planning on searching in June, moving in July (from Arizona).

Haven't paid my deposit yet, but Im going to do so in the next couple of days. I was really impressed at the open house weekend. So it looks like my fiance and I ( who will be then be my husband) are heading to lexington in August.
I can't believe I have finally made my decision. It all seems so surreal.

Can you guys speak of your experience at the ASW and the area. I haven't been able to visit, so I'm looking for some insight. Thanks!

It wasnt as small of a town as I expected from the way people are talking. then again my parents retired to a town with one stop light in the whole county.
But there were plenty of places to eat, a wal mart ( I live in the DC metro area and still have to drive 45 minutes here to get to one)

The people in the town have been really friendly so far. I am moving with my fiance, and we will be married by the time we move so we are looking for a little house. Everyone has been super helpful over the phone and always called back right away. As well as honest, telling me that one of the places I called about was an "animal house" and I wouldnt be interested in it. That they usually rented it to undergrads.
They seem like they really want to rent to law students since we have a rep of being quieter and cleaner.

The school was in a really beautiful area and it looks like the town does a lot to entertain itself, there was a "fancy dress ball" going on while we were there and ads up for the drive in theater and a parade for its season opener.

I was really impressed with how the school presented itself during the open house. I felt like the few hours they had definitely showed me that it was a great place to be. From what I have heard at the firm I work for they have a great Repuation in DC.
If you have any more specific questions let me know.

Did they say anything about employment prospects in this down economy? I'm going to the April Open House and that line of questioning is priority #1. Did anyone speak to their sense of how W&L students and grads are faring right now?

They did address that. The answer was " it seems like W&L is probably the best place you could be in the circumstances." Which is fairly vague. While it seems like there has been some downsizing for example law firms that would have accepted 1L's and 2L's for summer employment are now only taking 2L's, someone else mentioned that its still not impossible for a 1L to get a job.
Also it seems like by the time we get out, the economy might be on the upswing and rebuilding so it might be the perfect time to be in school. the professor in the mock class mentioned this.