Top Law Schools

which one do you think I should choose. I have almost 70K from Hastings for three years and no scholly from W&L. W&L is ranked 12 rankings higher then hastings.

suggestions, thoughts, comments.. all would be really appreciated.!!

Thanks!!!

Where do you want to work?

The rankings have practically no relevance between the schools. Both schools are drastically different (ex: Hastings is located in San Francisco and is only a law school while W&L is in a small college town and is a full fledged university.)

Both are insanely expensive so that 70k is certainly going to help if you choose Hastings.

Rankings are meaningless when comparing regional schools in different areas.

If you want to work in CA, go to Hastings. If you want to work in VA, go to W&L. Though I think W&L is a pretty bad idea at sticker considering it'll cost over $180,000 worth of debt.

Thanks guys. I dont know where I want to practice once I graduate. I probably would want to be in the public interest or maybe mid size firm sector. sticker for w&l is steep but I want to make sure I weight out all my options before I make the decision.

Hastings. Too many reasons to list...

hastings.

ranking is overrated here. hastings will place better, better quality of life to most people, etc., etc. Don't go off one year of rankings.

i agree with everyone above. i got a half ride to W&L and half to Hastings. i still picked Hastings because the city is fabulous, the school has so many unique things to offer, and its not in the middle of nowhere....don't let the rankings influence you too much!

caligirl wrote:i agree with everyone above. i got a half ride to W&L and half to Hastings. i still picked Hastings because the city is fabulous, the school has so many unique things to offer, and its not in the middle of nowhere....don't let the rankings influence you too much!

Wow.. thanks for sharing that.

There is more to school than simply: 1) employment area; and, 2) cost.

It should be stressed Hastings is only a law school. W&L offers a vastly different experience than Hastings. Law school is 3 years of your life. This should factor, if only slightly, into your decision.

*Full Disclosure: I'll be a 1L at Hastings next academic year. However, If UC Davis had accepted me I would have had a very difficult time deciding between schools...

Im not sure how much should "the only law school" factor into my decision. what kind of competitive advantage goes W&L give me with having an undergrad? please advice and thanks for factoring that in. I want to make sure I think everything through..

I think he means that b/c of the UG at W&L, you'll get a better social experience in terms of school spirit and things like that.

ran12 wrote:I think he means that b/c of the UG at W&L, you'll get a better social experience in terms of school spirit and things like that.

ahhh... I seee good point

auroojgulzar wrote:Im not sure how much should "the only law school" factor into my decision. what kind of competitive advantage goes W&L give me with having an undergrad? please advice and thanks for factoring that in. I want to make sure I think everything through..

Also, W&L would have alumni from the undergrad.

auroojgulzar wrote:which one do you think I should choose. I have almost 70K from Hastings for three years and no scholly from W&L. W&L is ranked 12 rankings higher then hastings.

suggestions, thoughts, comments.. all would be really appreciated.!!

Thanks!!!

Only reason to go to W&L would be if you are dead set on working in VA... (W&L probably not too competitive in DC, but they're probably pretty good in South)

I'd say Hastings has everything else going for it in this comparison.

I thought you had already decided on Hastings? booo. Anyway, like people said, make the decision based on your geographic preferences. I thought of applying to W&L but then I looked at public transportation in and out of the city and said fuck it.

ilovesf wrote:I thought you had already decided on Hastings? booo. Anyway, like people said, make the decision based on your geographic preferences. I thought of applying to W&L but then I looked at public transportation in and out of the city and said fuck it.

I did until I got into W&L today and then I was super confused but after speaking to my family and hearing everyone's thoughts I think Hastings would be a better fit for me.

Borhas wrote:

auroojgulzar wrote:which one do you think I should choose. I have almost 70K from Hastings for three years and no scholly from W&L. W&L is ranked 12 rankings higher then hastings.

suggestions, thoughts, comments.. all would be really appreciated.!!

Thanks!!!

Only reason to go to W&L would be if you are dead set on working in VA... (W&L probably not too competitive in DC, but they're probably pretty good in South)

I'd say Hastings has everything else going for it in this comparison.

Dead wrong. W&L has a great rep in DC. Plenty of alums from both UG and the law school.

schwar46 wrote:

Borhas wrote:

auroojgulzar wrote:which one do you think I should choose. I have almost 70K from Hastings for three years and no scholly from W&L. W&L is ranked 12 rankings higher then hastings.

suggestions, thoughts, comments.. all would be really appreciated.!!

Thanks!!!

Only reason to go to W&L would be if you are dead set on working in VA... (W&L probably not too competitive in DC, but they're probably pretty good in South)

I'd say Hastings has everything else going for it in this comparison.

Dead wrong. W&L has a great rep in DC. Plenty of alums from both UG and the law school.

Totally can't count on DC ITE. T14 folks are even bidding elsewhere because it's so selective.

The above poster was spot on to say: "W&L is probably not too competitive in DC but they're probably pretty good in South."

Saying that the "only reason" to go to W&L would be if OP were dead set on VA is an overstatement though.