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Can any current BU/BC law students or graduate let me know what you're experience has been? I'm trying to obtain some substantive differences between the two schools. Ideally, would seek a clerkship and enter into litigation after graduation.

BU is in the city, BC is in the suburbs

BC's boston-area network and perceived prestige in the boston-area far outweighs BU's, IMO.

objctnyrhnr wrote:BC's boston-area network and perceived prestige in the boston-area far outweighs BU's, IMO.

But does it matter in terms of JD-required outcomes? I will say that, as someone from the region, I've always perceived BC on a general level to be more prestigious and a more desirable school to attend. All of that could be true, but again, what difference does it make for your law school prospects? It would seem that personal preference comes into play here, and given that BU is right in the city and closer to transportation and what have you, that there are advantages to going there over BC. Then again, BC is beautiful and away from the stresses of the city, so that itself can be an advantage.

Otunga wrote:

objctnyrhnr wrote:BC's boston-area network and perceived prestige in the boston-area far outweighs BU's, IMO.

But does it matter in terms of JD-required outcomes? I will say that, as someone from the region, I've always perceived BC on a general level to be more prestigious and a more desirable school to attend. All of that could be true, but again, what difference does it make for your law school prospects? It would seem that personal preference comes into play here, and given that BU is right in the city and closer to transportation and what have you, that there are advantages to going there over BC. Then again, BC is beautiful and away from the stresses of the city, so that itself can be an advantage.

Sorry-- I meant BC's boston-area LEGAL network and perceived prestige FOR LEGAL JOBS in the boston-area far outweighs BU's.

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=bc

vs

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=bu

Clerkship numbers aren't that good....

Prestige differences come from years and years where BC was substantively a significantly better school. With that being less and less the case now (not just going by U.S. News rankings: BU has been making lots of conscious efforts to improve) we have reason to expect that perception overtime to change.

How does that affect current students looking at the school? Tough to say. Biased as a BU undergrad, but being totally self interested, I would have gone to BU over BC if I hadn't gone to my current school instead.

BU is investing a lot in its law school right now. I get the sense that it's more upwardly mobile than BC and seems to have a better faculty: http://www.leiterrankings.com/new/2012_ ... pact.shtml

BU is also in the city, unlike BC, so there's less of a commute if you get summer work or an internship downtown.

onionz wrote:Prestige differences come from years and years where BC was substantively a significantly better school. With that being less and less the case now (not just going by U.S. News rankings: BU has been making lots of conscious efforts to improve) we have reason to expect that perception overtime to change.

How does that affect current students looking at the school? Tough to say. Biased as a BU undergrad, but being totally self interested, I would have gone to BU over BC if I hadn't gone to my current school instead.

Let's assume you're right for the sake of argument.

OP, do you want a school where people of older generations (hiring partners, etc.) think your school is better, or do you want a school where some 4L's and 5L's think it's better?

At the end of the day, if you want to practice in Boston, take BC. If you want somewhere else, it's questionable...but you might be better off going to a school in that region.

objctnyrhnr wrote:

onionz wrote:Prestige differences come from years and years where BC was substantively a significantly better school. With that being less and less the case now (not just going by U.S. News rankings: BU has been making lots of conscious efforts to improve) we have reason to expect that perception overtime to change.

How does that affect current students looking at the school? Tough to say. Biased as a BU undergrad, but being totally self interested, I would have gone to BU over BC if I hadn't gone to my current school instead.

Let's assume you're right for the sake of argument.

OP, do you want a school where people of older generations (hiring partners, etc.) think your school is better, or do you want a school where some 4L's and 5L's think it's better?

At the end of the day, if you want to practice in Boston, take BC. If you want somewhere else, it's questionable...but you might be better off going to a school in that region.

How about if you're in the top quartile and can get biglaw? Does BC give you a tiny advantage, all things equal? Is this more of a thing that comes into play with other types of non-biglaw jobs?

Otunga wrote:

objctnyrhnr wrote:

onionz wrote:Prestige differences come from years and years where BC was substantively a significantly better school. With that being less and less the case now (not just going by U.S. News rankings: BU has been making lots of conscious efforts to improve) we have reason to expect that perception overtime to change.

How does that affect current students looking at the school? Tough to say. Biased as a BU undergrad, but being totally self interested, I would have gone to BU over BC if I hadn't gone to my current school instead.

Let's assume you're right for the sake of argument.

OP, do you want a school where people of older generations (hiring partners, etc.) think your school is better, or do you want a school where some 4L's and 5L's think it's better?

At the end of the day, if you want to practice in Boston, take BC. If you want somewhere else, it's questionable...but you might be better off going to a school in that region.

How about if you're in the top quartile and can get biglaw? Does BC give you a tiny advantage, all things equal? Is this more of a thing that comes into play with other types of non-biglaw jobs?

this might help you

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... ring#gid=0

The only real difference in your decision making is cost of attendance. Go to the cheaper school (based on your scholarship). There is very little difference in alumni network in the region btw BU & BC--it is certainly not determinative of your success with networking.

After cost, it's about feel. BU is literally 15-20 mins in the T (subway) to downtown, while BC can take you up to an hour. Newton is a very nice, albeit suburban, town.

Visit the schools (though BU is opening its new building next year) and see which one you'd like to spend the next three years.