<p>Hi,
I took the LSAT and scored a 149, then my second time I scored a 151. I will probably graduate summa cum laudie of my class (state school with SAT scores that range from R450-550 M450-550). </p>
<p>I want to apply to law schools I can actually get into (ie wiedner, liberty law, ave maria). How do lawyers fair when graduating from lower-tier law schools? In terms of salary and job prospects? What do you think is an average salary for a first job out of law school for a tier-2 graduate?</p>
<p>Also say if I graduate at the top of my class at a tier-2 school would I be able to start at like above 60-70K?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I strongly suggest you carefully evaluate each of the law schools you want to consider. See which, if any, have a record of placing graduates, and in what sort of positions. Some local law schools are well connected with local firms or local governments, some are not.</p>
<p>I think the federal government might not discriminate against non-top 100 law school but they don’t pay that well. I have a relative graduated from UCB law school that is making around $50K working for the government.</p>
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<p>Yes, but two things are guaranteed: 1) a permanent job, each and every day with zero chance of layoff; 2) great pension. While your relative is too young to understand now, wait until they are in their 50’s when all of a sudden the federal deal is looking really good.</p>
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<p>Actually, government jobs do get eliminated, restructured and moved, and, therefore, a government job does not have a zero chance of layoff.</p>
<p>With the current economic environment, I’d say that even government positions are locked out for people from a school that’s outside the second tier.</p>
<p>The problem with government jobs now is that people aren’t leaving them. This creates a log jam. Typically, in any given year, a certain number of people will leave any segment of the job market. Prosecutors will enter private practice. DOJ, SEC and FERC lawyers, to name a few, will go to firms or in house jobs, creating openings in the agencies. That is not happening now. Federal and state government entities are hiring less, laying off more, and those in the jobs have no where to go so they are staying put. </p>
<p>I have never heard of Ave Maria law school so that is enough for me to be able to recommend not going there. Liberty would not be a choice I could recommend either, not only because of the ranking but because employers sometimes avoid people with any whiff of an agenda and Liberty exists because of an agenda. I don’t consider any of those schools 2nd tier. I’d put Widener in the 4th tier and I don’t know if the other two are even ranked. If you plan to practice in Delaware or Pennsylvania, can graduate with no debt and can really work hard enough to graduate at the top of the class, then consider Widener.</p>
<p>How would my job prospects be graduating from Dickinson School of Law (penn state)?</p>
<p>I’d choose Dickinson over the others listed. Again, job prospects will be better if you choose to stay local/regional. Do you know where you want to practice?</p>