Top Law Schools

So, we've all read the intimidating articles about how there aren't going to be enough jobs for us, and how we should reconsider law school. On that note, how much debt is everyone willing to take on? I used to hear "go to the best school that you can get into!" or "go anywhere that's ABA-accredited! There's plenty of jobs!", but now I'm hearing "go to wherever gives you the most money so that if you can't find a job as a lawyer, you at least won't have a ton of loans."

Real answers from real applicants? What piece of advice are you following the most as you make your decision?

I am willing to take on between 70-115 and while that may seem like a giant range it is because one i have a scholly pending and two if i wanted i could commute 45min if i wanted to live with my rents. Also while i know nothing can be set in stone I am going to try my hardest to join the USAF and be a JAG. From all the research ive done it looks like they may pay up to 60k. My logic may be flawed but its all i got. MY UG was 40k a year but I only left with 10k because I was on a lacrosse scholly.

sanfranlove wrote:So, we've all read the intimidating articles about how there aren't going to be enough jobs for us, and how we should reconsider law school. On that note, how much debt is everyone willing to take on? I used to hear "go to the best school that you can get into!" or "go anywhere that's ABA-accredited! There's plenty of jobs!", but now I'm hearing "go to wherever gives you the most money so that if you can't find a job as a lawyer, you at least won't have a ton of loans."

Real answers from real applicants? What piece of advice are you following the most as you make your decision?

like my uncle who was recently indicted for laundering over $55 million (true story) used to say, "Go big or go home!"

Marry well

the best advice i've gotten has been from a lawyer who graduated from Carzodo in 2008. She said,

"Follow the scholarships so you don't have to compromise your integrity when you look for work, and go where you'll excel. it's better to be the top of your class at an OK school than the bottom of a good school."

I'm willing to go about 100K in debt for LS, because I'm hoping to go into some public service position that will offer some compensation/loan forgiveness, but I would go to a safety (low ranked) LS for a free ride in a heart beat.

HowdyYall wrote:

sanfranlove wrote:So, we've all read the intimidating articles about how there aren't going to be enough jobs for us, and how we should reconsider law school. On that note, how much debt is everyone willing to take on? I used to hear "go to the best school that you can get into!" or "go anywhere that's ABA-accredited! There's plenty of jobs!", but now I'm hearing "go to wherever gives you the most money so that if you can't find a job as a lawyer, you at least won't have a ton of loans."

Real answers from real applicants? What piece of advice are you following the most as you make your decision?

like my uncle who was recently indicted for laundering over $55 million (true story) used to say, "Go big or go home!"

+1 Classic sorry about your unlce though.

I thought I was ready to take on 250k until I got a large scholarship. Now I am pretty much unwilling to take on anything over 100k with that in hand.

r6_philly wrote:I thought I was ready to take on 250k until I got a large scholarship. Now I am pretty much unwilling to take on anything over 100k with that in hand.

Congrats! Where and how much was your scholly from?! (if you don't mind me asking)

Where did you get the scholly from from Philly? Have you heard anything from Stanford yet?

OP: The balance between job prospects and cost is a very personal decision. It varies for each individual. I would identify your career goals and then base your law school choices off of that.

r6_philly wrote:I thought I was ready to take on 250k until I got a large scholarship. Now I am pretty much unwilling to take on anything over 100k with that in hand.

For what school would the COA come close to 250k? Is is a PT program? I'm seriously wondering why one would need to take out a loan of that size for LS.

gbpackerbacker wrote:

r6_philly wrote:I thought I was ready to take on 250k until I got a large scholarship. Now I am pretty much unwilling to take on anything over 100k with that in hand.

For what school would the COA come close to 250k? Is is a PT program? I'm seriously wondering why one would need to take out a loan of that size for LS.

maybe a top 10 school in a huge city, like NYU or Columbia, just because CoL is so outrageous on top of everything else.

CLS/NYU/Berkeley/Stanford and maybe Harvard all have the potential.

My graduate budget at Penn right now is 69k. That's 210k without counting tuition increases. I think CLS/NYU budget is like 72k-75k, that's 225k + increases.

ETA: I have a family so additional 10k a year is probably right.

Shooter wrote:

r6_philly wrote:I thought I was ready to take on 250k until I got a large scholarship. Now I am pretty much unwilling to take on anything over 100k with that in hand.

Congrats! Where and how much was your scholly from?! (if you don't mind me asking)

Thanks! UVa 90k. Awesomely sweet! And it's cheap to live down there.

LOCI to Stanford last week. LOCI to Harvard this week. Crossing my fingers, but still awesome even if it doesn't work out.

Lol, I probably should have just checked out your profile. Anyways, that's great!!!

Keep in mind this. At current rates, $100K loan payments will be $1,150 (10 years repayment plan). So, unless you are getting into a big law firm or live rent-free, it's a significant chunk of your salary.