Top Law Schools

well, i haven't done that much research. based on my PT, i guess my chances at T14 is pretty slim. I wonder if I prefer to practice law in CA or WA (definitely will not work for the government or public sector, international student). but I'm open to other locations as long as there's no cold winter. (i'm really sick of the weather in new england).

what non T14 schools would be good? This is my tentative list.

UCLA and USC (my top choice)
BU and BC
Vandy
Emory
U of Washington
UC Davies
College of Williams and Mary

any additions?

You're basically listing the top non-T14 schools. Have you taken the LSAT?

Texas, Vanderbilt, UCLA are the best non T-14s. Beyond that it gets regional and there is a pretty sizeable drop off, but WUSTL, UIUC, USC, BU, BC, ND, GW, and Emory are good in their respective regions and can place relatively well outside of their region if you're at the top of the class. If you're interested in NYC, then Fordham is a decent option as well.

But I wouldn't attend any of the schools I just listed without big scholarship money. But that's just me.

i think they don't give scholarships to international students? i guess my lsat will not leave me that many options.

romothesavior wrote:Texas, Vanderbilt, UCLA are the best non T-14s. Beyond that it gets regional and there is a pretty sizeable drop off, but WUSTL, UIUC, USC, BU, BC, ND, GW, and Emory are good in their respective regions and can place relatively well outside of their region if you're at the top of the class. If you're interested in NYC, then Fordham is a decent option as well.

But I wouldn't attend any of the schools I just listed without big scholarship money. But that's just me.

If you like Texas, I've heard good things about SMU's placement in Dallas big law.

mz253 wrote:well, i haven't done that much research. based on my PT, i guess my chances at T14 is pretty slim. I wonder if I prefer to practice law in CA or WA (definitely will not work for the government or public sector, international student). but I'm open to other locations as long as there's no cold winter. (i'm really sick of the weather in new england).

what non T14 schools would be good? This is my tentative list.

UCLA and USC (my top choice)
BU and BC
Vandy
Emory
U of Washington
UC Davies
College of Williams and Mary

any additions?

Davies is great. I would add Irvines and Hastingses.

If CA is your goal and you don't want cold weather, you should take BU/BC off your list.

holydonkey wrote:

mz253 wrote:well, i haven't done that much research. based on my PT, i guess my chances at T14 is pretty slim. I wonder if I prefer to practice law in CA or WA (definitely will not work for the government or public sector, international student). but I'm open to other locations as long as there's no cold winter. (i'm really sick of the weather in new england).

what non T14 schools would be good? This is my tentative list.

UCLA and USC (my top choice)
BU and BC
Vandy
Emory
U of Washington
UC Davies
College of Williams and Mary

any additions?

Davies is great. I would add Irvines and Hastingses.

No Loyolas though.

I heard Hastings are too competitive and people aren't nice? Plus, I'm not super liberal. SF may be too liberal for me.

holydonkey wrote:

mz253 wrote:well, i haven't done that much research. based on my PT, i guess my chances at T14 is pretty slim. I wonder if I prefer to practice law in CA or WA (definitely will not work for the government or public sector, international student). but I'm open to other locations as long as there's no cold winter. (i'm really sick of the weather in new england).

what non T14 schools would be good? This is my tentative list.

UCLA and USC (my top choice)
BU and BC
Vandy
Emory
U of Washington
UC Davies
College of Williams and Mary

any additions?

Davies is great. I would add Irvines and Hastingses.

well, my bf is from RI and he's in CT for grad school now. so i guess that's why they are in my list.

romothesavior wrote:If CA is your goal and you don't want cold weather, you should take BU/BC off your list.

mz253 wrote:i think they don't give scholarships to international students? i guess my lsat will not leave me that many options.

Depends on the school I'm sure, but I got a scholly from NYU as an int student.

well, i definitely don't have a shot at NYU, sadly.

sophie316 wrote:

mz253 wrote:i think they don't give scholarships to international students? i guess my lsat will not leave me that many options.

Depends on the school I'm sure, but I got a scholly from NYU as an int student.

mz253 wrote:well, i definitely don't have a shot at NYU, sadly.

sophie316 wrote:

mz253 wrote:i think they don't give scholarships to international students? i guess my lsat will not leave me that many options.

Depends on the school I'm sure, but I got a scholly from NYU as an int student.

I don't think that schools outside of state schools will distinguish between int/non int students for scholarship purposes that are merit based.

i guess i'm trying to get into the best school i can. i like money, but i'd rather pay full tuition at a better school. i mean, isn't law school is just as expensive as college? at least you get much better paid after law school.

mz253 wrote:i guess i'm trying to get into the best school i can. i like money, but i'd rather pay full tuition at a better school. i mean, isn't law school is just as expensive as college? at least you get much better paid after law school.

Law school can be WAAAAY more expensive and high salaries from the schools you have listed are not anywhere near a sure bet. Rethink this.

why? college is 50k+, law school is 60K+, counting inflation, i feel i'm paying the same, but probably just a little more? assuming i don't go to school in NYC.

mz253 wrote:why? college is 50k+, law school is 60K+, counting inflation, i feel i'm paying the same, but probably just a little more?

Moh'k. I didn't pay 50/year for undergrad, because that's a little retarded. You didn't address the salary issue, though.

Let's dig down a little on the salary point.

http://www.law.ucla.edu/home/index.asp?page=1031

http://lawweb.usc.edu/careers/statistics/

Check it out. First, these statistics are SELF REPORTED. Second, they are reporting the median salary, which can be pretty misleading. I want to see the mean, too. Schools should also represent what percentage of students responded to the survey AND the salary question. Don't get me wrong, I'm generally a "go to the best school you get into" kinda guy, but to not consider scholarships whatsoever for what could be minimal payout at the end is not rational.

sent you a PM.

mz253 wrote:sent you a PM.

Yes, I did receive it but I'd rather respond here because it's the open discussion of issues like this that make message boards thrive and useful for more than just one person.

sure i have no problem with that. i think if i will be happy as long as i can get a job that makes more than 60000.

Um, do you really think law school is going to cost you only 60k+? Have you looked at what tuition is at most of the schools you listed? Or are you just assuming you would only go to a school with close to a full scholarship?

well, for nyu, i just checked, tuition 46000 per year. i guess room and board for another 20000? i'm not going to school in NYC for sure.

i said law school will cost about 60000 per year. and as long as i get a job that pays more than 60000 per year after law school, i'll be happy. sorry if i was not clear enough.

Esc wrote:Um, do you really think law school is going to cost you only 60k+? Have you looked at what tuition is at most of the schools you listed? Or are you just assuming you would only go to a school with close to a full scholarship?

OP is saying per year. Depending on which school, 60k per year in salary is a reasonable target for some of those schools. It's the people banking on 160 I fear for.