<p>I know UT isn't top 14, but how respected is it In-state? Does that difference of 1 in the rankings really matter at all? And how difficult is it to get money at a T14 private school? Would it likely be enough to compensate for the 20k difference in tuition?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>If you want to work in Dallas, you should take UT over the lowest of the t14. The rest of it depends on your numbers, how much scholarship, lifelong plans, etc.</p>
<p>If you have numbers somewhere approaching or above the 75th percentile at HY, you will be accepted to H (Y is a tossup) and you will be offered at least some (merit) scholarship money at all other schools, including TX. You may even snag a few full tuition t-14 offers. H and Y only provide need-based aid, and it ends up being mostly loans. If you are in this position, you will have some decisions to make, but most students choose to go to Y or H regardless of where they plan to practice, including TX. Whether that is the right choice is a whole different question that may take years to know. However, I think Patriot is right. TX makes more sense than a low T-14 like Cornel or G’town, especially if there is some scholarship money involved.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to apply to SMU either…it has a HUGE presence in the Dallas Law community…Top 10% at SMU will trump similar performance in bottom of T 14 if you want to be in Dallas…as will UT.</p>
<p>The fact that you are seriously considering Texas over Yale and Harvard makes me fairly confident that you won’t get into either.</p>
<p>lol at taking UT over H. Post on xoxoth so they can put you into line.</p>
<p>If you have the connections to Texas, going to a T14 instead of UT isn’t problematic at all. Generally, the big TX firms will dig deeper into T14 classes than UT, and many will even take 1L summer associates from the upper T14. </p>
<p>Unless UT offers a substantial scholarship, probably best to go to a T14. Again, this assumes you have a connection to the (very provincial) market.</p>
<p>As a former partner of a major international law firm based in Houston, I can assure you that top UT grads are hotly sought after by both Houston and Dallas based firms. Indeed, when I was involved in recruiting, a top UT grad would be hired far ahead of any middle of the pack T14 student. If you are interested in practicing in the Dallas legal community, either UT or SMU would be fine choices. The in-state tuition at Texas is hard to beat though. Who wants to come out of law school with any debt these days? The key is to be as high up in your class as possible wherever you go. Inasmuch as one out of every five jobs currently generated in the country is in Texas, it’s a great place to start a career.</p>
<p>To the OP: I don’t think it’s a crazy question, but the bottom line is you’ll need more information before you settle the question. How much more expensive would the school be? Which T14 are we talking about? Do you have reason to suspect you’d be at the top of UT’s class? Etc.</p>
<p>For now, apply to all of them. When the information comes in, we can talk through it then.</p>
<p>Go to school in Texas, end of debate. Lower taxes and cost of living will make up for the slightly lower pay. All the highest earning attorneys are texans.</p>