Minnesota C/O 2018 Applicants Forum

[MarkfromWI]

Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in here. I'm currently a 2L at a different B1G school (think OSU, IU, UW, Iowa) but transferred out of one of the MN TTTs. I'm here solely to comment on the Twin Cities job market. I don't think it's quite as rosy as Count 1234 let it on to be. Being a diverse student with a 3.7x gpa is going to allow you to see the best side of any market. In general, aside from the Diversity in Practice program s/he mentioned, there are no 1L SA spots. I think each of the five or so biggest firms have 1. Not exactly a lot to go around, especially when you consider the Minnesotans who went T-14 and are trying to make it back home.

I will agree that the market is probably getting a little better, but there are still simply too many students in the area. If you're not in probably the top 15% or so at the U, you're going to be fighting with all of the other students from the other 3 (well, I guess now 2) schools for all of the non-Biglaw jobs. Yes, UMN is the Belle of the Ball in town, but that's only going to take you so far. I think a lot of employers would be just as happy - if not more so - taking someone who's top 20% at UST/WM than someone at median from the U. As for the HU and WM combining, it doesn't sound like they have any plan to reduce the total number of incoming students, at least not from what I've read. There will still be the same number of people entering the market competing for the limited number of jobs.

I'm not here to bash UMN; it's a good school, but that's not it's problem. The problem is that it has a very limited reach and feeds primarily into an oversaturated market. I just hope to give you folks some food for thought as you make a very important decision. If you don't get the right scholarship, definitely try and look elsewhere.

ETA: I just did a quick check of lawschooltransparency.com. I really wasn't kidding when I said that UMN has a very limited reach. It didn't send 5% of it's class (enough to show up on an LST state report - about 14 students for the class of 2014) to ANY of it's neighbor states. The only place it sent more than 5% (5.8%) was New York. Not WI, not IA, not ND,SD, or IL. Some of that is probably due to self-selection, but you can't tell me that the 31% unemployed all refused to leave MN. Again, not here to bash, just want you to be aware of what you're possibly getting into. If you're from out of the region thinking about going to UMN because it's ranked highly but trying to go back home after graduation, proceed with caution.

[LawsRUs]

^^ thank you !! your input will help everyone itt make a reasoned decision. thanks again !!

[Jelloshot75]

As a general rule of thumb, I wouldn't put too much stock into what 1Ls have to say about law school, particularly their commentary on the job market. I spit out of a bit of my tea when the fellow above reassured us that the local job market is on the upswing "because the career center told us so" or something to that effect.

Listen, my friend: the career center is a pitiful joke. Please understand that the law school has a strongly vested interest in making you believe that everything is going well and that your career prospects have the sky as their limit. OCI will be a powerful disappointing experience for the majority of your classmates. Basically no local firm dips below the top quarter, and while it is true that firms have picked up hiring relative to 2008 and 2009, please don't underestimate how much of a struggle it will be.

[patix282]

Has anyone tried to negotiate their scholarship amount? I'm out of state and have higher offers that are about $30k higher from schools ranked slightly higher.

[RareExports]

Has anyone tried to negotiate their scholarship amount? I'm out of state and have higher offers that are about $30k higher from schools ranked slightly higher.

I don't think they would negotiate with Emory and WUSTL.

[keosu11]

Has anyone tried to negotiate their scholarship amount? I'm out of state and have higher offers that are about $30k higher from schools ranked slightly higher.

I don't think they would negotiate with Emory and WUSTL.

That's interesting. I sent an email out a few days ago asking for an increase based on WUSTL (almost $30k higher offer and a $23k lower COA) ; but I haven't heard back yet. I also received a $95k offer from Vanderbilt yesterday, so unless Minnesota increases their offer I'll probably be withdrawing. I'm really interested in Minnesota and would love to visit, but it's hard to justify the cost of a visit unless my offer makes them a viable option.

Patix: I don't think it's a bad idea to try. Worst they will say is no.

[minnbills]

As a general rule of thumb, I wouldn't put too much stock into what 1Ls have to say about law school, particularly their commentary on the job market.

Listen, my friend: the career center is a pitiful joke.

Basically no local firm dips below the top quarter

while it is true that firms have picked up hiring relative to 2008 and 2009, please don't underestimate how much of a struggle it will be.

As a recent UMN law graduate I could not agree more with the above. I have a federal clerkship, so I am not some bitter recent grad with an axe to grind.

I strongly disagree with Count's take on pretty much everything. (Not trying to sound like a jerk, but I think 0Ls have a right to know what they're getting into).

The job market is extremely (and I mean extremely) difficult right now. If you are not in the top quarter your chances of getting a good job are pretty low.

I can say with no hesitation that you will receive a fine legal education at the U, though.

EDIT: also, the U changed its policy RE publishing grades and curves, they are no longer doing this.

[architecturas]

Wait-listed... Ugh.

[LadyProspero]

Checking in!

Admitted yesterday, applied about two weeks ago. Waiting on that admission packet!

[cmlasley]

Congrats!

Checking in!

Admitted yesterday, applied about two weeks ago. Waiting on that admission packet!

[LadyProspero]

Congrats!

Checking in!

Admitted yesterday, applied about two weeks ago. Waiting on that admission packet!

Thank ya sir/ma'am!

[Moneytrees]

Does merit aid information included in the acceptance packet?

[Lightworks]

The Admitted Students site said that an "estimated" award notice was included with the acceptance. I'm not sure what that means.

[cmlasley]

Received my first application decision....Waitlisted. At least it was not an outright rejection.

Like I said, I didn't expect an acceptance because my GPA was towards the lower end, and my LSAT was near the lower 25%. However, I have several years of experience in the legal field and practical knowledge and other soft factors that I hope will change their decision. I intend to write a letter of continued interest, depending on the scholarships offered by the other regional schools.

[Danimals18]

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[LawsRUs]

Hey. Merit based aid comes in the mail ~1 week after your acceptance phone call. hth,

[huskies2015]

Anyone going to the information session visit tomorrow? Flying out later today and excited to see the school!

[LadyProspero]

Anyone know when the deposit deadline is/how much it is? Don't have access to the packet they sent me atm.

[Danimals18]

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[midwestisbest]

Bumping! My last decision just came in, and it looks like I'm Minnesota bound in the fall! Did anyone go to admitted students day? Thoughts/impressions? Recommendations on where to live?

[Lyndale]

Bumping! My last decision just came in, and it looks like I'm Minnesota bound in the fall! Did anyone go to admitted students day? Thoughts/impressions? Recommendations on where to live?

Congratulations, you are really going to enjoy it here. Right next to the law school is the seven corners area with a few high priced apartments. They are nothing special, and I'm not a fan, but they offer great location to the school and some really nice bars. But again, they are expensive (1300+ for a one bedroom by yourself). You can definitively get roomates if you are okay with that though.

Otherwise, you can live on the East Bank (right across the river from the law school) and find much much cheaper living options. There are a lot of campus bus options, and a bike is fine if the weather permits. You can look into March Homes and see if any of the apartments have openings.


And to the posters above about the career center and needing to finish in the top quarter, I mostly agree. I will say though that the new career counselor is absolutely wonderful, which was very refreshing. And if you want a law firm job you really need to shoot for top quartile, but the U has a great hold on government and public sector jobs as well.

[A.Taarabt7]

Just withdrew from the U. Enjoy


And to the posters above, you think the Minnesota job market is saturated and competitive? Come to my state of California and I'll show you the true definition of saturation and competition. The Minnesota job market is a cake walk. You have what? 3 schools in your entire state!? You go to the U you probably won't get "biglaw" or "federal clerkship" but you'll most likely get a job and successfully enter the legal profession. That looks pretty good to me.

Cost of living is pretty affordable, you can find decent places in Dinkytown for $600 a month. And if you look carefully enough on Craigslist you can find places for a lot cheaper. I was living in St. Paul for $450 a month utilities included at a furnished house. The catch was that I lived with a great grandmother lol but hey it was affordable and it was in a nice area(Lexington and Grand).

Anyways, if you end up matriculating just keep positive and work hard. If you go into law school saying oh there is a 5% chance that I will be unemployed or 20% chance of working a short term part time job or temporary job, 1L year won't go well. Just try to be happy and avoid negative influences. Plus, coming from California, these Minnesota and midwest people are pretty damn nice. "Minnesota Nice." That's good so at least they'll give you a shot whether it's an interview or externship/internship. They aren't super, hyper pedigree focused like they are in my state of California. The only school I would warn people about is St. Thomas but if you're at the U, I think it is a favorable outcome. Just be creative in your job search. If you have to work in Duluth, Rochester, or St. Cloud that's fine. You're not there forever, just 2 years or 1 year. Whatever experience you need to lateral to a place closer to home. Anyways, that my 2 cents. Just be positive because if your dominating thoughts are negative, they may come to fruition.

[minnbills]

you'll most likely get a job and successfully enter the legal profession.

Wrong. Unless you count working for free or sub minimum wage. A friend of mine from the U with a 3.8 and patent bar eligible has received one job offer since graduating: to work for an outstate firm for 15k a year. Most of my other friends don't have anything lined up either.

[midwestisbest]

For purposes of the placement discussion, is there any differential between those who worked before law school and those who went K-JD, or does the road appear equally rough for everyone?

[minnbills]

People with prior work experience seem to outperform K-JDs, in my experience.

One thing I'll add, if you come to the U, gun hard for chicago/NY. I have seen people at median land biglaw out there.