Top Law Schools

I currently go to a T30 in the midwest, and just made it into the top 1/3 of the class, but I want to practice in NYC/NJ/Philly. I have strong ties there, and that's where I want to make my career. Rutgers-Newark's OCI has way more of the firms I want to bid on (there are almost none here), but I'm worried that going from a T1 to a T2 would be a bad move for job prospects. If anything, it would actually be cheaper to attend Rutgers than what it currently costs me at my school (half scholly).

Should I make the switch?

You will find it difficult to get an offer from NJ firms if you do not come from the area. They are very self-conscious about people using their firm as stepping stones to larger firms in NY/Chi/DC.
That being said they love people that have strong ties to the area and are likely to stick around--so you could/should play that card.

However, what's the likelihood that you will even get a job offer from a NY/NJ/Philly based office if you're in the midwest? I'm guessing it's pretty low.

If you want to work on in the NY/J/P market you would probably do better going to a school in that area.
**newsflash** employers on the east coast have no clue what your random midwestern law school is ranked.

From a pride standpoint if you think attending a school in the midwest is better because of its rank I can assure you that you will more than likely regret that decision at the end of your 3 years when you have zero contacts in your region of choice and no job prospects to speak of.
If you attend Northwestern, Michigan or University of Chicago then I would say you'll probably do okay on reputation alone- but in NY/NJ/Ph the reputation of the area law schools is VERY STRONG!!! Most of the hiring partners come from the areas law schools (save the Harvard, Yale types)

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 4&t=185865

2012JayDee wrote:You will find it difficult to get an offer from NJ firms if you do not come from the area. They are very self-conscious about people using their firm as stepping stones to larger firms in NY/Chi/DC.
That being said they love people that have strong ties to the area and are likely to stick around--so you could/should play that card.

However, what's the likelihood that you will even get a job offer from a NY/NJ/Philly based office if you're in the midwest? I'm guessing it's pretty low.

If you want to work on in the NY/J/P market you would probably do better going to a school in that area.
**newsflash** employers on the east coast have no clue what your random midwestern law school is ranked.

From a pride standpoint if you think attending a school in the midwest is better because of its rank I can assure you that you will more than likely regret that decision at the end of your 3 years when you have zero contacts in your region of choice and no job prospects to speak of.
If you attend Northwestern, Michigan or University of Chicago then I would say you'll probably do okay on reputation alone- but in NY/NJ/Ph the reputation of the area law schools is VERY STRONG!!! Most of the hiring partners come from the areas law schools (save the Harvard, Yale types)

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 4&t=185865

Thanks. Yeah, I don't go to UChi, NW or M. I go to a T30, and I'm from NJ and want to have a career there. I don't even want Biglaw (but I don't want the 10 man shitlaw firm either). I'd like to work for a strong NJ firm where I can make decent money and work in NJ. None of these types of firms come to my school.

But the question is: won't these firms at OCI be judging me based on my grades and my current school's rep? Wouldn't I fare as well just by sending in resumes? What else can Rutgers do for me besides its OCI?