<p>I plan to attend case western this fall as a freshman, and will pay all but $15,000.
so I'm looking at at least $100,000 in debt after my 4yrs.
I would be able to be top in the poli sci department much easier than at other schools, hence a high gpa.
I am certain that I will attend law school. At case, based on what other students have said, would easily maintain at least a 3.75.
Basically, should I look to transfer to a less expensive school? If so, where?</p>
<p>Get. Over. Your. Self.</p>
<p>You're not "certain" you will attend law school. At the moment, you have a very strong feeling that you will go to law school, but much can change in four years. Explore other options before tying yourself down to one professional track. And easily maintain at least a 3.75? Yikes. No one can predict that, regardless of the school.</p>
<p>$100k in debt is huge for undergrad. Is there anything you can do at this late date to go someplace for less? That is life changing debt.</p>
<p>100k is a LOT of money to owe after just undergrad, especially considering that law schools are much stingier with financial aid and scholarships. That said, you can defer your loans until you finish LAW SCHOOL (provided you don't take time off in between) so if Pierce is worth an extra $100k to you, go for it. Just realize that while your 26-year-old peers at the law firm are leasing new BMWs you might be rolling a used Honda for a few more years.</p>
<p>crnchycereal - aren't you a bit snippy. It's nice to see people on here for the sole purpose of putting others down. Sorry that I am confident in my own abilities and have defined goals and plans.I've done internships and have taken law classes, and considering the only other academic interest I have is poli sci, I am certain about law school, as naive as it may sound to you. I love law, and actually want to be a judge or practice in the area of civil liberties. </p>
<p>Anyways....Case orginally stated they would up my FA, so I put down the deposit. I am also a recruited athlete at Case. They told me due to my situation they would re evaluate and add more to my award. They ended up adding 8K in loans...</p>
<p>I don't think Case is worth that price, but every non state school I applied to would cost the same...my EFC is >25% of my parents income.
I was looking at University of Pittsburgh honors but the campus was too big.
I recieved a nice scholarship to Tulane, but the parents felt it was too far.
I guess I should consider transferring to a less expensive school next year? Do any non state schools offer nice FA for transfers?
Thanks</p>
<p>CC was a bit snippy, but his point is actually valid. It is absolutely unreasonable to assume you will be at the top of your school's department, get a 3.75 GPA. It is only slightly less unreasonable to be 100% dead-set on your career plans at age 18.</p>
<p>I was lucky enough to find my passion early in life.
The poli sci department is quite small at Case, and I have been actively talking to others who have repeatedly stated the realitive ease they have had in keeping a high GPA.
I feel confident that if I work hard, I can achieve at least a 3.75, especially because I may transfer. I am basing my prospective GPA on the average GPA in the department and the lighter coursework for my major.
If I haven't done moot court/mock trial through high school and actively studied law, and have had experiance interning at a law firm and political campaigns, and fell in love. Sadly enough, I had decided on a career in law since 1st grade, and have yet to enjoy any other subject as much as law and politics, even after taking an array of classes focusing on a variety of subjects.
I am glad I am not one of the typical undecided grads who enter college without the slighest idea of what to study, or without any real direction.
No, I am not "dead set" on a specific career, but compared to peers and even friends currently in college, I actually am passionate about a specific field. I
I don't understand why everyone is so bewildered that I have found my passion and have set goals for myself, and am confident in my own abilities to achieve them. It is possible to know what you want to do at a fairly early age, even if those who do are the exception. I am trying to be responsible with my finances because I plan on attending grad school, and would hate to reach a level of insurmontable debt beforehand.
Also, my question was in regards to how much debt is too much to have after 4 years at an UG, and if it would be best to transfer to a less expensive school.
Brook Lopez said in 2nd grade he'd play at Stanford and the NBA, and he did.</p>
<p>Sorry to laugh but you seem like one of the types who thinks they have their life planned out and suddenly drowns when they actually experience what they imagined would be a walk in the park.</p>
<p>But I'm so glad you were able to back up your decision with a single example. </p>
<p>And on a rather personal level if you were contemplating a career in law during the first grade I have nothing but sadness for your missing childhood.</p>
<p>Oh, come on now.</p>
<p>The OP asked a perfectly reasonable question about undergrad debt burden. This question could have been posed in many other places on CC, but it happened to be posted here in the law school forum because the OP is interested in pursuing a career in law. What is so terrible about that?</p>
<p>I give the OP a lot of credit for having some vision and making decisions now that may have a huge impact on a potential educational and career path several years from now. Right now, the OP is "certain" that law school is in the future. That may change, but being forward-looking is in all likelihood a good thing nevertheless. </p>
<p>Oh, and having an inkling that you may want to be lawyer early on by all means that you missed out on a childhood. That's just silly. Is there no possibility of a childhood for all of the kids who want to be firefighters and police officers and teachers? </p>
<p>My advice would be to limit undergraduate debt in any way possible in order to make sure that (1) your overall debt burden is not overwhelming, (2) you have sufficient room under the absolute cap on Stafford Loans to allow you to get the loans you need to pay for law school and (3) to ensure that your credit remains good so that you can get the law school loans you will need. However, if you have to take out debt to get through undergrad, then that is what you will have to do. You can take a job during the semester and work two jobs during the summer (I was always a fan of the office job during the day, waitress/bartender at night gig). You can also take time off in between college and law school and try to pay down some of your loans during this time (not an uncommon path).</p>
<p>To hotelmoscow:
You sound very open minded and level headed. If you actually read my post, I offered several reasons as to why I wish to pursue a career in law. I have done internships at a law firm, even though the tasks were quite meanial, I was able to learn the pros and cons of a career in law. I have done moot courts throughout high school, and am extremely "into" the Supreme Court, listening to select cases and reading the briefings/opinions.
How would wanting to be a lawyer in 1st grade effect my social life or childhood? Was that a serious comment? That was very infinitile. I have been playing classic and ODP soccer since 6th grade, so if anything, soccer has taken up much of my time, as well as coaching, reffing, work and enjoying high school. </p>
<p>sallyawp- Thanks for your insightful advice and comments, I really do appreciate advice, since no one in my family has atteneded any graduate school, I know nothing about the money/debt involved first hand.
I have a $3000 work study at case, and plan to ref and coach on the side. Reffing could bring in $2,000 in a year. I am also working in the summer, and may do an Americorps program, so I can save up some money, but not close to what I will need.Would it be difficult to hold a FT job and go to law school?</p>
<p>Most law schools won't allow you to hold a full time job while attending, unless you were enrolled in a part-time (typically evening) law school program. </p>
<p>I would recommend more that you hold jobs during the semester while an undergrad. I know it can be a challenge (I did it too), but the money you can use for tuition and expenses really adds up, especially because a dollar borrowed is really closer to two dollars paid back with interest.</p>
<p>From Chapter 3 of the ABA's Standards for Approval of Law Schools (accreditation guidelines), Standard 304 (f): "A student may not be employed more than 20 hours per week in any week in which the student is enrolled in more than twelve class hours."</p>
<p>Standards</a> for Approval of Law Schools</p>
<p>Just to add to Sally's post #11.</p>
<p>100K in debt for UG is idiotic.</p>
<p>OP,</p>
<p>100k is an enormous amount of debt to accrue for your undergraduate education. You will almost certainly have to borrow significantly more to attend law school, unless you are lucky enough to have a good public university with a law school in your home state. Keep in mind that there is a surplus of attorneys in the U.S. and, despite that, American law schools continue to crank out far more graduates than the market can support. As such, you should NOT assume that you will move immediately into a high paying career position as a lawyer upon your graduation from law school -- most law school grads don't, even from tier one schools. In short, look before you leap.</p>
<p><a href="I%20was%20always%20a%20fan%20of%20the%20office%20job%20during%20the%20day,%20waitress/bartender%20at%20night%20gig">quote</a>
[/quote]
I work as a bartender. It is a fantastic job to have during the summer.</p>
<p>the 100k is if the current aid package does not change, or if I do not transfer.
Pitt has a decent law school, not on the same level as Virginia, William and Mary, the UCa or Michigan,
It should by next year, as my dad will loose his disability money.
I was reading that law schools are starting to accept less students due to the surplus of applicants/graduates.
I personally would have to move in order to get a law job, as the Pittsburgh market is flooded. I would assume no matter where you live, law is definetly a fields where you work your way up.
Is it also depend on what field of law you enter, such as sports law?</p>
<p>ANY debt is too much for UG...especially if you want to go to law school, where you'll rack up plenty of it.</p>
<p>I would say anything greater than 20k is unreasonable for undergrad. </p>
<p>Also, being 100k in debt after undergrad may make it harder for you to get private loans for law school.</p>
<p>I agree with Stringtheory as you should not try to rack up more than 20k. </p>
<p>Many financial advisors go by the rule of thumb is that if you have exceeded your stafford loan limits for undergrad:</p>
<p>$3,500 freshman year
$4,500 sophomore year
$5,500 junior year
$5,500 senior year</p>
<p>you have racked up too much debt.</p>