Top Law Schools

okay folks. i need some suggestions/helps in deciding until more decisions roll in from higher-tier/region schools.

i will be transferring out of my current school to one of the schools i've applied, but i haven't received anything from "real and desiring" choices yet.

i hope to work in a mid-to-large firm in ny or so-cal. my ultimate goal is to be involved in sports/entertainment law. but to get there i probably will be doing the international/business oriented tracks/curriculum.

my current choices are;

w&l in va, 34th ranked, bleak reputation in ny/so-cal,

fsu, 54th ranked (back and forth), possible(?) national reputation as it is one of the sports powerhouses, may be not as a law school, again possible non-existent name value in ny/so-cal, but in-state tuition is available

case western in ohio, 56th, good reputation/rank for undergrad., again possible non-existent name value in ny/so-cal, and am not doing the med-law

loyola in so-cal (still waiting for the decision), 56th, good reputation in so-cal, but not in ny, a school that is rising through ranks (for past years)

If you want to work in CA I think Loyola is the only reasonable option. As you mentioned these are all 'regional' schools, so go to where you hope to work in order to have the best potential placement options.

Loyola.

The relative rankings mean little to nothing here.
Your considerations should be:
1) LOCATION - all of these schools will really only put you into a decent firm in their respective areas. So where do you want to practice for at least several years after graduation?

2) COST - "Biglaw" (meaning big bucks) is unlikely coming from these schools, so go where you will incur the least debt. Don't forget to factor in differences in cost of living. This consideration should be secondary to location....

Good luck!

so for ny, w&l

so-cal, loyola?

You need to do some serious thinking. You want to go into one of the most sought after and non-existant fields of law from a mid range school. None of the schools you have listed (save loyola) are in either of the areas you want to work. Given that range, I think you would be wise to consider some other schools in the markets you are interested in, like Santa Clara, and USandiego, or Cardozo, Brooklyn, etc... and try and secure scholarship.