Top Law Schools

Hey everyone, title pretty much sums it all up. To spare you unnecessary information, the attendance cost at Syracuse, Temple, and Rutgers-Camden will be identical (15 for 'Cuse, 16 for Temple, 18 for Rutgers). Nova, assuming limited merit aid, will be about 35k. Assuming I stick to the area where the schools alumni base is, and with no interest in Biglaw, is there a big difference between any of these schools? My GF and I are trying to stay together, and these are our top choices as of now.

Just to preempt the "omfg dont go t-14 or bust": we know why we're going and what we're getting ourselves into. I'm just trying to balance COA with job prospects at this point. Advice is appreciated, but please be constructive.

I would choose temple. Really respected in the area and has great job prospects.

I would choose Rutgers it feeds all the lawyers for NJ.

'Cuse and 'Nova=better basketball programs

faceman9000 wrote:'Cuse kicked Nova's ass last night

ftfy

I appreciate the opinions thus far. My GF got dinged at Temple, and I'm WL'd there. So the ideal I think as of now as me at Temple and her over the bridge at R-C. However, if I get dinged maybe bother at R-C or Cuse is the next best option...

beach_terror wrote:

faceman9000 wrote:'Cuse kicked Nova's ass last night

ftfy

Truth. I think you've found your answer.

Which Rutgers?

Camden, sorry for not clarifying that before.

Before you decide on Cuse, make sure the area is to your liking. This is because most Syracuse grads stick around central NY, so chances are you will end up practicing there as well. UBuff has the western corridor locked down, and Albany Law owns the capital region and much of the northern tier to Plattsburgh. I personally don't care for the city of Syracuse, but others love it.

Yeah, we're heading up to visit there for the ASW on 4/9 to see what's up. That's a huge concern for me, because Philly is my home city... and I'll have to see how I'd adjust to an area that seems vastly different.

beach_terror wrote:Camden, sorry for not clarifying that before.

In that case, I would say either Temple or Rutgers.
While Nova is a very well respected school, Temple is just as much as so, if not more respected (that is argued in a plethora of other threads)-regardless, they are about equal. Nova is double the price, so Temple clearly trumps that.
Cuse is a tier below everyone else.
Rutgers Camden is a bit unique. It has a reputable name in Philly, I believe it lags a bit behind Temple, but it carries the Rutgers name, which is gold if you want to work in NJ, all the way up to the NYC area (an uphill battle, but it will carry for certain to the Newark area).
I would for sure rule out Cuse and Nova, and narrow it down to Temple v. Rutgers.
However, problem with both Temple and Rutgers-both really, really crappy areas. Actually Rutgers is top crappy area in country. But you can commute a bit, especially if you are saving money on school.

Note, this should be in "choosing a law school" thread

dreman510 wrote: Cuse is a tier below everyone else.

I understand that Cuse is technically a TTT, but I've heard first hand from 09 graduates that they've done more than fine in securing jobs. My gf's cousins finished around median-top1/3 and they've landed jobs in NJ and in NYC (midlaw). At least to me, it's surprising that Syracuse is a TTT and not a T2. If anyone who's more knowledgeable can chime in, I'd love to hear it.

Edit: yeah, wrong section. If a mod wants to move, feel free. I'm doing homework now, so forgive my absent-mindedness.

beach_terror wrote:

dreman510 wrote: Cuse is a tier below everyone else.

I understand that Cuse is technically a TTT, but I've heard first hand from 09 graduates that they've done more than fine in securing jobs. My gf's cousins finished around median-top1/3 and they've landed jobs in NJ and in NYC (midlaw). At least to me, it's surprising that Syracuse is a TTT and not a T2. If anyone who's more knowledgeable can chime in, I'd love to hear it.

Im not evaluating it from a US news ranking standpoint, but from the market they place in. 'Nova and Temple are tops in Philly, and Rutgers-Camden would be #2 or or 3 there, and then #1 or 2 in the rest of NJ. Syracuse aims to place mostly in NYC, and that puts them in line behind a lot of others...

Yeah I see what you mean. I'm apt to the Temple/Rutgers combination, but my gf's family has heavy ties to SU and they're weighing heavily in on this. She also wants to be close to home and the like.

She's getting ready to send in her seat deposits to SU soon, and I'm trying to get her to hold off. Neither of us have heard from Rutgers yet, but I'm betting we'll both get in considering our numbers (157/3.6 for her, 159/3.2 for me).

Thanks for the advice thus far.

The Rutgers-Camden area isn't too shabby to be honest, at least for Camden. It's right next to the aquarium and the waterfront and tucked away from the rest of the city and has its own police force.