Drexel Law vs. FSU Law
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:59 pm
Thank you for viewing and/or participating in my thread. I'm in a somewhat precarious position and I'm having a bit of trouble making a decision, or even favoring one school over the other. I'm a 27-year-old paralegal in NYC. I've applied to schools all over the country, but have essentially narrowed my options down to Drexel and FSU. after law school, I'm not 100% sure where I'd like to end up, but most likely I'll want to return to NYC.
(For the record, I'd like to stay in NYC for law school and I'm still waiting to hear back from Brooklyn Law. However, even if I do get in, unless they offer me a hefty scholarship, it's probably too expensive to go.)
So here are some things I'm considering and are affecting my decision...
Drexel offered me a $25k scholarship. It would essentially cost me $5k out of pocket per year for school (plus cost of living, which I've heard isn't bad in Philly). Drexel's co-op program seems great, especially being in Philly, where I would think is more opportunity to get work experience than Tally. Philadelphia is a metropolitan area, which, I don't know, take that for what it's worth. Drexel seems to be doing everything in it's power to provide its students with a great legal education, faculty, work experience prior to graduation, and job placement after graduation. However, on the flip side...it's a new school. It's not a nationally known law school. It doesn't have the alumni network.
FSU would cost me $10k per year, as I've maintained my Florida residency. (I grew up in Florida and went to UF.) So, tuition is affordable at both schools. FSU law is a nationally known (and "ranked") school, however job placement after graduation seems to be primarily in Florida. Students seem to enjoy FSU law school, based on forums and articles I've read.
Keep in mind I haven't had a chance the visit the schools yet, which I realize may sway me one way or the other once I do. In addition, at this point, I think I may want to study IP, but that may change at some point (or not).
If anyone has any input/suggestions/feedback on either school or my options, please feel free to ring in. If anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to answer them. Thanks for the help!
(For the record, I'd like to stay in NYC for law school and I'm still waiting to hear back from Brooklyn Law. However, even if I do get in, unless they offer me a hefty scholarship, it's probably too expensive to go.)
So here are some things I'm considering and are affecting my decision...
Drexel offered me a $25k scholarship. It would essentially cost me $5k out of pocket per year for school (plus cost of living, which I've heard isn't bad in Philly). Drexel's co-op program seems great, especially being in Philly, where I would think is more opportunity to get work experience than Tally. Philadelphia is a metropolitan area, which, I don't know, take that for what it's worth. Drexel seems to be doing everything in it's power to provide its students with a great legal education, faculty, work experience prior to graduation, and job placement after graduation. However, on the flip side...it's a new school. It's not a nationally known law school. It doesn't have the alumni network.
FSU would cost me $10k per year, as I've maintained my Florida residency. (I grew up in Florida and went to UF.) So, tuition is affordable at both schools. FSU law is a nationally known (and "ranked") school, however job placement after graduation seems to be primarily in Florida. Students seem to enjoy FSU law school, based on forums and articles I've read.
Keep in mind I haven't had a chance the visit the schools yet, which I realize may sway me one way or the other once I do. In addition, at this point, I think I may want to study IP, but that may change at some point (or not).
If anyone has any input/suggestions/feedback on either school or my options, please feel free to ring in. If anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to answer them. Thanks for the help!
