Seton Hall/Rutgers/Fordham Forum

[yankees123]

Currently go to a Tier 3 school that costs 44k/yr. I have a 10k/yr scholarship but also have about 8K/yr in living expenses. In my 1L year, I did pretty well (top 17% and 3.4 GPA). I was recently admitted to Rutgers-Newark (which would be 22K/yr b/c I live in NJ) + living expenses so I would commute and live at home. Also was admitted to Seton Hall (which is 47k/yr, but I got a $15k/yr transfer scholarship) and would also commute. Obviously Rutgers-newark is cheaper, but I was wondering which is better for OCI opportunities and ultimate job prospects? I also applied to Fordham but would have to consider the cost if I got in there. Any advice?

[Danteshek]

Have you considered dropping out of law school?

[mileslibertatis]

Have you considered dropping out of law school?

That seems unnecessary.

And also, haven't we all?

[CanadianWolf]

Rutgers-Newark makes the most sense because it is the lowest cost & near your home.

[SoNorthern]

Rutgers-Newark seems better form a cost standpoint. But the vibe I have gotten is that Seton Hall has better career opportunities and a stronger network in Central/Northern NJ firms. Obviously, if you have any interest in being in NYC go to Fordham.

Fordham will give you access to good midsize and depending on your stats big law firms. Rutgers and Seton Hall will give you access to really great New Jersey firms, and New York Firms that have offices in NJ (many Big Law firms in NY have smaller Newark Offices)..

Having said that it will be much more difficult to go big law in NYC from RU or SHU, again not impossible, just becomes far more dependent on your stats.

So overall it depends on what you went. If its really a matter of dollars and cents, I think RU is your obvious choice; if you want better career prospects in NJ, in my experience, Seton Hall is stronger, and if you want really anything in NYC go Fordham (which will still give you access to NJ).

[keg411]

Rutgers-Newark seems better form a cost standpoint. But the vibe I have gotten is that Seton Hall has better career opportunities and a stronger network in Central/Northern NJ firms.

I'm from NJ and I interviewed extensively in NJ. This is VERY wrong. Rutgers and Seton Hall have the same career opportunities and same network in Central/North NJ. OP: go to Rutgers because it's cheaper. There will be zero difference in the opportunities you have from there (small firms in NJ) and the opportunities you have at Seton Hall (small firms in NJ).

[quiver]

Rutgers-Newark seems better form a cost standpoint. But the vibe I have gotten is that Seton Hall has better career opportunities and a stronger network in Central/Northern NJ firms.

I'm from NJ and I interviewed extensively in NJ. This is VERY wrong. Rutgers and Seton Hall have the same career opportunities and same network in Central/North NJ. OP: go to Rutgers because it's cheaper. There will be zero difference in the opportunities you have from there (small firms in NJ) and the opportunities you have at Seton Hall (small firms in NJ).

Co-signed.

[JetsFan1990]

Have you considered paying sticker at Fordham (if you get in) and commuting from home? How far away from the city are you? Honestly, neither RU or Seton Hall is going to leave you in a nice position for a good job after school.

[top30man]

Rutgers-Newark seems better form a cost standpoint. But the vibe I have gotten is that Seton Hall has better career opportunities and a stronger network in Central/Northern NJ firms.

I'm from NJ and I interviewed extensively in NJ. This is VERY wrong. Rutgers and Seton Hall have the same career opportunities and same network in Central/North NJ. OP: go to Rutgers because it's cheaper. There will be zero difference in the opportunities you have from there (small firms in NJ) and the opportunities you have at Seton Hall (small firms in NJ).

Co-signed.

Yeah rutgers is the smart play here. It's so much cheaper and the rutgers brand is very strong in NJ.

[InSport]

I go to Rutgers - Newark, and from what I understand the OCI opportunities are essentially the exact same as with Seton Hall. Historically, Rutgers had typically been higher ranked than Seton Hall, but over the last few years it has slipped. Of course, employers in the area are not paying ultra-close attention to the year-by-year changes in the U.S. News rankings. So as far as most employers are concerned, the two schools are essentially on equal footing. I would go for saving yourself the $10k/year (or however much you said) and go with Rutgers.

If you have any questions about Rutgers, feel free to PM me.

[rad lulz]

Have you considered dropping out of law school?

Not everyone can transfer into the preftigious LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL and write onto the preftigious LOYOLA LAW REVIEW.