South Carolina c/o 2015 Applicants (2011-2012 cycle) Forum

[cutecarmel]

I swear I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but if you went to UGA, how do you know about the job prospects for graduates of South Carolina Law? There are only 2 law schools in the state and this one is ranked higher. SC's lawyers have to be coming from somewhere.

I grew up in south carolina--most people will not care. However, I will say this: South Carolina is the most insular legal market in the country. If you aren't from SC, I really cannot endorse going there. The school for the most part is only capable of getting you a job in South Carolina, and going to school there is NOT enough to have the ties you need to get a job in SC. You're wasting your money.

This is basically what I'm worried about. I love the state of South Carolina, and definitely the weather, but this scares me. If I go, I would definitely plan on staying in the state long term. I've heard that the market is dominated by South Carolina grads, but I wondered if attending the school was enough to have the necessary ties to secure a job in South Carolina, or if you really actually have to be born and raised there.

Let me put it this way: It can be done, but it is very difficult. Going to school there is probably not going to work unless you have really, really good grades (which you have about a 10% shot of achieving).
I'm from SC, and I went to UGA. Employers from SC frown upon THAT. SC is just a tough market.

[eandy]

I swear I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but if you went to UGA, how do you know about the job prospects for graduates of South Carolina Law? There are only 2 law schools in the state and this one is ranked higher. SC's lawyers have to be coming from somewhere.

I worked in a law firm in SC before law school and the summer after 1L. That is how I know what is going on.
As you stated, there are only two law schools (Charleston shouldn't even count--it is the laughing stock of the SC legal community). Therefore, when stuff comes up about hiring/the economy/etc. South Carolina Law comes up. Essentially, South Carolina Law was great 30,40 years ago, maybe even 20 years ago. Now, however, the University of South Carolina has let it go downhill. This is something anyone who has been in the South Carolina legal community for any length of time will tell you.
SC lawyers do have to be coming from somewhere, and that somewhere is usually the University of South Carolina--that I am not disputing. What I am saying, however, is that if you are not from South Carolina, your University of South Carolina law degree isn't going to get you very far in South Carolina or elsewhere(as THAT state's law school is going to have priority). South Carolina's legal market is crazy insular.

[cutecarmel]

So basically, if someone graduates from SC law, but isn't from SC, they won't get a job there? Even if you're ranked higher than SC residents? That sounds...odd

I swear I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but if you went to UGA, how do you know about the job prospects for graduates of South Carolina Law? There are only 2 law schools in the state and this one is ranked higher. SC's lawyers have to be coming from somewhere.

I worked in a law firm in SC before law school and the summer after 1L. That is how I know what is going on.
As you stated, there are only two law schools (Charleston shouldn't even count--it is the laughing stock of the SC legal community). Therefore, when stuff comes up about hiring/the economy/etc. South Carolina Law comes up. Essentially, South Carolina Law was great 30,40 years ago, maybe even 20 years ago. Now, however, the University of South Carolina has let it go downhill. This is something anyone who has been in the South Carolina legal community for any length of time will tell you.
SC lawyers do have to be coming from somewhere, and that somewhere is usually the University of South Carolina--that I am not disputing. What I am saying, however, is that if you are not from South Carolina, your University of South Carolina law degree isn't going to get you very far in South Carolina or elsewhere(as THAT state's law school is going to have priority). South Carolina's legal market is crazy insular.

[kmokeefe]

So basically, if someone graduates from SC law, but isn't from SC, they won't get a job there? Even if you're ranked higher than SC residents? That sounds...odd

I swear I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but if you went to UGA, how do you know about the job prospects for graduates of South Carolina Law? There are only 2 law schools in the state and this one is ranked higher. SC's lawyers have to be coming from somewhere.

I worked in a law firm in SC before law school and the summer after 1L. That is how I know what is going on.
As you stated, there are only two law schools (Charleston shouldn't even count--it is the laughing stock of the SC legal community). Therefore, when stuff comes up about hiring/the economy/etc. South Carolina Law comes up. Essentially, South Carolina Law was great 30,40 years ago, maybe even 20 years ago. Now, however, the University of South Carolina has let it go downhill. This is something anyone who has been in the South Carolina legal community for any length of time will tell you.
SC lawyers do have to be coming from somewhere, and that somewhere is usually the University of South Carolina--that I am not disputing. What I am saying, however, is that if you are not from South Carolina, your University of South Carolina law degree isn't going to get you very far in South Carolina or elsewhere(as THAT state's law school is going to have priority). South Carolina's legal market is crazy insular.

I can't speak from experience in the legal field but I know from experience being involved with various extracurriculars and organizations throughout high school and college in South Carolina, a lot of things here are based on who you know and what family connections you have. I'm not making a generalization by any means, but I know at a lot of smaller firms here, the younger lawyers work for their parents. Again, I'm not saying that is a rule but just something I've observed.

I don't think eandy is saying getting a job as a lawyer in SC can't be done, but it is going to be a lot more difficult for someone who doesn't have any family ties or connections. This is my fear, as a South Carolinian with no real connections to the legal field.

[OhioRider22]

This is some real old school, old money, deep south type sh!t. Scary. Guess I'll just have to finish #1 in the class.

[30somethingJD]

This is some real old school, old money, deep south type sh!t. Scary. Guess I'll just have to finish #1 in the class.

As a former South Carolina resident (I grew up in SC) I will say that there is a lot of truth to what is stated above. SC is a very insular state, not with just the legal market. However, There are several mid size to smallish large firms in the metropolitan areas who may prefer SC law grads to out of state law schools, but if you are in the top 10% of your class, they are not going to care where you grew up. I could see though that not having any SC ties would make it VERY difficult to find work in the smaller towns or with the smaller firms. As with any thing in life, not just law school, if you get out and hustle, network, make a name for yourself, and do well in school, you can be successful.

[navigator]

Born and raised in SC here. I interned at the Solicitor's office in Richland County for a couple of months and never once met an attorney not from SC. With regards to the influence of USC in South Carolina, my uncle (SC attorney and member of the state legislature) has repeatedly emphasized to me that unless you can get into an ivy league law school, if you want to practice in SC go to USC. For what it's worth, he actually attended a very low tier school in the midwest because he couldn't get in anywhere else and struggled initially (this was 30 yrs ago).

[Scotusnerd]

Good lord I have been looking for a thread like this. I visited USC in November and was shocked by how friendly they were. I haven't applied yet because I'm waiting on my LSAT score from December. I'm looking to get a 160+, 3.6 GPA

I'm worried about my situation now. I've moved out to SC from NM to establish residency this past year, and I've been having a hell of a time finding a job since I moved out here. People simply won't hire you. Am I likely to get a decent job on the other end of this law school thing, or is the market going to kill me as well?

P.S. We should find some way to meet up on the first day when we all get in.

[OhioRider22]

Good lord I have been looking for a thread like this. I visited USC in November and was shocked by how friendly they were. I haven't applied yet because I'm waiting on my LSAT score from December. I'm looking to get a 160+, 3.6 GPA

I'm worried about my situation now. I've moved out to SC from NM to establish residency this past year, and I've been having a hell of a time finding a job since I moved out here. People simply won't hire you. Am I likely to get a decent job on the other end of this law school thing, or is the market going to kill me as well?

P.S. We should find some way to meet up on the first day when we all get in.

I'm in, and I'm sure you will be too. I'm actually going to head down to Columbia the second week of January to check it out.

[Scotusnerd]

I really really recommend going and visiting. My experience with the people was amazing. Building was meh, but I was the only person touring, and it was a week before finals.

I had 10 1-Ls following me around to learn how to do the tour for next year. It was SO awesome. The Admissions dean is a really nice person, and we discovered we both went to the same school. The admissions secretary was really helpful and friendly as well.

Try to take some classes if you have time. I took two, one torts and one contracts. Both were really fun experiences, and the torts made sure I will never look at an umbrella the same way again. I didn't know they could feasibly decapitate someone until that class.

[cutecarmel]

Yea I definately want to visit. I have a full scholarship, so there's no way I'm turning it down without checking it out first.

Does anyone know if there is a scholar's weekend?

I really really recommend going and visiting. My experience with the people was amazing. Building was meh, but I was the only person touring, and it was a week before finals.

I had 10 1-Ls following me around to learn how to do the tour for next year. It was SO awesome. The Admissions dean is a really nice person, and we discovered we both went to the same school. The admissions secretary was really helpful and friendly as well.

Try to take some classes if you have time. I took two, one torts and one contracts. Both were really fun experiences, and the torts made sure I will never look at an umbrella the same way again. I didn't know they could feasibly decapitate someone until that class.

[Scotusnerd]

I haven't heard or seen anything about it.

http://law.sc.edu/admissions/visit/

Contact these people if you want a tour. They'll be able to answer your questions better.

[bmili]

Took a tour this past summer and enjoyed it. Building is very old but everyone I've met couldn't be nicer. USC is my first choice, still waiting to hear back unfortunately.

[Scotusnerd]

I've officially applied, woo!

I scored a 164 on my December LSAT!

[cutecarmel]

Congrats on your LSAT!

I've officially applied, woo!

I scored a 164 on my December LSAT!

[tolson1]

Decision letter mailed 1/11/12. I haven't heard very good things about SC law.. Any grads or students have feedback regarding its reputation?

[DRDGMU]

Decision letter mailed 1/11/12. Hopefully with good news inside

[tolson1]

Decision letter mailed 1/11/12. I haven't heard very good things about SC law.. Any grads or students have feedback regarding its reputation?

In, 18k out of state merit scholarship. Such a small letter compared to Syracuse's giant envelope.

[DRDGMU]

In with a scholarship for in-state tuition. I'm pretty excited!

[Scotusnerd]

Congrats to both of you!

[Gail]

I really wish I had grown up in South Carolina and had connections above my snow-bird grandparents and uncle. I love South Carolina, but going into such an insular market sounded like a risk too high to take.

[tolson1]

I really wish I had grown up in South Carolina and had connections above my snow-bird grandparents and uncle. I love South Carolina, but going into such an insular market sounded like a risk too high to take.

agreed.. It does not appear to be a very good school to attend Could get used to the fantastic golfing weather though!

[icecold3000]

decision letter mailed today (Jan 17, 2012). I Hope it has some good news.

[cutecarmel]

Please you guys, don't base your decision on what a few people on TLS say. Unless you were never really seriously considering the school, you need to visit the school and talk to people who have actually been to school there and to lawyers that practice in the state so you can get an insider's view. It would be a shame to miss out on possible opportunities because of a few online opinions.

I really wish I had grown up in South Carolina and had connections above my snow-bird grandparents and uncle. I love South Carolina, but going into such an insular market sounded like a risk too high to take.

agreed.. It does not appear to be a very good school to attend Could get used to the fantastic golfing weather though!

[Scotusnerd]

My decision letter got mailed today as well. I'm really excited since I just put in my application last week. That was a quick turnaround. I must have caught them right before a rolling date.

Best of luck, Icecold. I hope we both get acceptances and scholarships.

Cutecarmel is right on target. I'm with her on your guys' post. There seems to be a lot of trash-talking of South Carolina, and I wish people would actually experience the school and the lawyer community before posting about it.