PT @ T14 or Tier 1 vs FT @ lower ranked law school Forum

[BrianGriffintheDog]

Hey,

I noticed that there are couple respectable law schools in Tier 1 (Georgetown, George Washington & Fordham) offering part-time programs that are a bit easier to get into compared to full-time programs. With that being said, I was wondering if it would be a better idea to go for one of these law schools part-time as opposed to going for lower ranking (i.e Tier 2) full-time. Aside from taking an extra year to graduate and $10,000-20,000 additional costs (i.e. food, rent etc), I see no other cons. Not only you get a better chance of getting into a more prestigious law school, from what I've been told you take fewer courses and hence a lot less hectic course load. I'm personally considering this because I have a shit GPA (3.0ish) and have never taken full course load.

Can anyone provide me with some insights?



Thanks in advance!

Brian

[patrickd139]

General consensus on this board is that part time is not the way to go. I'd run the numbers again on the cost. I think you'll find that part time programs are almost as expensive per year as full-time programs. The gap narrows as you start looking at COL in D.C. and NYC.

Also, I can't imagine working full time and taking law classes my first year. I worked two, sometimes three, jobs in undergrad while taking a full course load; that pales in comparison to the amount of work I did last year.

Finally, really scrutinize the job prospects for PT students. Transparency with job reporting being what it is (or what it is not, really), it's doubtful that you'll be able to find statistics solely for PT. Either way, I'm not sure how many PT grads walk into biglaw.

Not saying it's impossible or irresponsible to go to a PT program, just that I hope you do your research. Lots of it.

[JOThompson]

You might look into the possibility of transferring from PT to FT at those schools. I know Fordham allows it.

[Connelly]

I would first question how much easier it is to get into the PT programs at GT, GW, and Fordham now that the numbers of PT students affect law school rankings. But assuming there is a significant advantage, yes, going PT at one of those schools to take advantage of the higher ranking has been done and would be advisable in many situations, but once you start applying, you'll have a better idea of your choices. If you have to choose between paying sticker to go PT at GT, GW, or Fordham and paying sticker to go FT at a T2, take the former, but I don't think the choice will be that simple.

I would probably also hold a baby underwater for a few minutes to go to GT over about any school below it, PT or FT. GW and Fordham, not so much (my apologies to OS).

There are about a billion other issues I could bring up, but I wanted to keep this short.

[JOThompson]

I would first question how much easier it is to get into the PT programs at GT, GW, and Fordham now that the numbers of PT students affect law school rankings. But assuming there is a significant advantage, yes, going PT at one of those schools to take advantage of the higher ranking has been done and would be advisable in many situations, but once you start applying, you'll have a better idea of your choices. If you have to choose between paying sticker to go PT at GT, GW, or Fordham and paying sticker to go FT at a T2, take the former, but I don't think the choice will be that simple.

I would probably also hold a baby underwater for a few minutes to go to GT over about any school below it, PT or FT. GW and Fordham, not so much (my apologies to OS).

There are about a billion other issues I could bring up, but I wanted to keep this short.

Speaking of PT stats in relation to the rankings, I believe that GWU now bars PTers from going FT now. Check it out before you apply.

[nealric]

At least when I attended GULC, PT to FT was open transfer. You just sent an email to the registrar.

Finally, really scrutinize the job prospects for PT students. Transparency with job reporting being what it is (or what it is not, really), it's doubtful that you'll be able to find statistics solely for PT. Either way, I'm not sure how many PT grads walk into biglaw.

Career prospects are the same as GULC FT. If anything, my PT friends tended to do better due to more work experience.

In fact, going PT the first year is a great way to limit your debt. I would recommended it to people who would have problem getting in FT.

[BrianGriffintheDog]

For me, my main and only concern is the admissions. Transfer from PT to FT isn't much of a concern for me. From what I understand, it's a only a year in difference in terms of graduating (3 years vs 4 years). If the course loads are lower and if I work part-time (instead of full time), I think this would increase my chances of doing well after I graduate--i.e. marks & work exp.

I would first question how much easier it is to get into the PT programs at GT, GW, and Fordham now that the numbers of PT students affect law school rankings. But assuming there is a significant advantage, yes, going PT at one of those schools to take advantage of the higher ranking has been done and would be advisable in many situations, but once you start applying, you'll have a better idea of your choices. If you have to choose between paying sticker to go PT at GT, GW, or Fordham and paying sticker to go FT at a T2, take the former, but I don't think the choice will be that simple.

I would probably also hold a baby underwater for a few minutes to go to GT over about any school below it, PT or FT. GW and Fordham, not so much (my apologies to OS).

There are about a billion other issues I could bring up, but I wanted to keep this short.

I would love to hear about other issues if you don't mind sharing them with me. To be honest, I have limited knowledge when it comes down to US law schools aside from the fact that there are T14, Tiers, big job markets and etc.