Top Law Schools

I'm currently applying for law schools and even though I live in Manhattan I want to apply to schools in "second/third tier" cities (not NYC, Boston, LA, etc.). Can any of you suggest some second/third tier cities that have strong legal markets that offer opportunities for people at lower rated schools? Maybe Indianapolis or Minneapolis or some areas in the Pacific Northwest?

Since I'm not going to be getting into any top tier schools I want to be strategic about where I apply. I'm very flexible as to where I would be happy moving and one day practicing. I know this is not the normal trajectory of the majority of people on TLS but I'm hoping you'll have some opinions to share with me.

Retake

is my opinion

..

Also the problem is that second/third tier cities don't have strong legal markets.

scottidsntknow wrote:Also the problem is that second/third tier cities don't have strong legal markets.

And many of them are extremely insular, to the point where just attending law school there is often not a strong enough tie.

HarrisonK wrote:I'm currently applying for law schools and even though I live in Manhattan I want to apply to schools in "second/third tier" cities (not NYC, Boston, LA, etc.). Can any of you suggest some second/third tier cities that have strong legal markets that offer opportunities for people at lower rated schools? Maybe Indianapolis or Minneapolis or some areas in the Pacific Northwest?

Since I'm not going to be getting into any top tier schools I want to be strategic about where I apply. I'm very flexible as to where I would be happy moving and one day practicing. I know this is not the normal trajectory of the majority of people on TLS but I'm hoping you'll have some opinions to share with me.

if your strategy is not caring about a subpar lsat score and wanting to work local Im confused why you don't first pick where that local market you want is/would be? if you're going to a not-so-hot school u need to keep in mind your only job prospects will be local. so I (personally, fuck if I know) would suggest u pick a few markets or a single market you genuinely want to be in that you have a shot in (namely, not a market like SF that has stanford boalt and even hastings) and go for it. no one here will be able to make that decision for you. if you want more options, sublime is tcr. study harder. retake the lsat, and get better offers.

Be sure to tell the people when you move there you think they live in a second tier city lol

To give a less dismissive and bullying response: the idea of casting a wider geographic net rather than improving your numbers isn't crazy.

The issue is the market has already responded to this idea. There are very few secondary cities that aren't already home to several law schools.

Another thing to consider is that in this range of schools, most of the jobs will be at smaller firms where grades are less relevant. If you're not one of the best students in the entire school, the fact you're not from there will handicap you. It's likely that a student with much lower grades from the area will be selected over you.