Rank the following law schools? Which would you attend?

Graduate School Law School
61

<p>Re #56: Cartera, We DO disagree.For the poster's high school senior, Georgetown may or may NOT be worth $100,000 in debt. It's my opinion--contrary to the usual advice on CC--that in making the decision whether or not it is, the fact that the young person thinks he wants to go to ls or "grad" school is irrelevant. I personally think it's bad logic to say "if you plan to go to work as soon as you graduate, then, fine, it's okay to go into debt to the tune of $100,000, but if you think you might want to go on to ls or "grad school" it isn't. " </p>

<p>You ARE taking ls debt into account. You say the son shouldn't go to G'town UG because he MIGHT be $200,000 in debt after ls. I think that approach is wrong. Whether or not he is going to go on to grad or law school is, IMO, wholly irrelevant to making the decision as to whether G-town UG is worth $100,000 in debt. Personally, I'd hestitate to have my kid take on $100,000 in debt for UG--but I'd be more hesitant, NOT less, if I knew that it was unlikely my kid would go on to ls, med school, and/or a MBA because I think it's more problematic that he'd be able to pay back $100,000 with a BA or a BS than it is he'd be able to pay back $200,000 with a JD. However, I still wouldn't take that into account in making the decision as to where he should attend UG. </p>

<p>If he's actually going to GRAD school to get a Ph.D., then, in my not so humble opinion, the advice is idiotic. USUALLY, Ph.D. programs are not only free, you get something towards the cost of living and you get paid to TA or teach. So, there's no reason to scrimp money on undergrad if you think someone might go on to get a Ph.D. in poli sci unless you are worried that he won't earn enough to pay it back. But, again, I'd be more worried about the kid who got into a Ph.D. program without funding going into debt for it. </p>

<p>If it turns out he does go on to a top law school, then , yes, he'll have a lot of debt. But if he does go into big law, then he'll earn enough to pay it off. And, if his parents do spend the money or he does actually go into debt for undergrad, he may end up getting fin aid for law school that he won't be eligible for if he goes to state U. And, if the loan forgiveness programs continue to become more generous, his undergraduate debt may qualify. It already does at some law schools under certain circumstances. </p>

<p>Re #57. Yes, there are law schools where you can get onto review no matter what your grades are by writing on.</p>

62

<p>I'd have trouble finding a situation in which I would recommend that someone take on $100k in debt for undergrad no matter what the plan. If there is a good alternative, I would probably always advise it. I'm sure I could be persuaded, but that is my general feeling about it.</p>

63

<p>jonri: thank you for responding. Can you share which law schools allow writing competition without class standing/grades to get onto law review? This makes sense as the written product demonstrates understanding of the material, analytical ability & communication/writing skills. But, it is a bit troublesome because the talented writer's work ethic may not be enough to properly complete all demands if not in the top third or top half of the law school class. Regardless, I am seeking names of law schools that permit a pure write-on competition for law school if you are willing to share that info. Thanks!</p>

64

<p>There are a number of schools at which you can only write on - I believe Harvard is one and I'm sure there are others. I'm not aware of a list though.</p>

65

<p>Michigan, Berkeley, UCLA and Georgetown are also schools that have a pure write-on competition for law review regardless of grades.</p>

66

<p>Cartera, I agree wholeheartedly with your post #62. However, that's a different argument than you made in your earlier post. First you said
[quote]
mcebel - This is just my opinion, but I don't know of any undergrad that is worth $100k in debt - especially if the plan is to go to grad school, where more debt will be incurred.

[/quote]
Again, all I'm saying is that whether or not you will incur more debt for "grad school" should be irrelevant to the decision. </p>

<p>Next you said :
[quote]
Tell him to use those grades and scores to get as much merit money as possible for undergrad.

[/quote]
Merit money isn't financial aid. It's not based on need. So, again, I read this as suggesting that if you think you have a kid who will go on for more education, you should scrimp on UG and spend the money on grad school. That's a VERY common attitude on CC. I am undoubtedly beating a dead horse on this one, but that's what I'm disagreeing with...not the idea that $100,000 is too much debt for UG.</p>

<p>Oh, and, ColdWind, I don't have a list of schools. You can figure it out from the BCG guide if you are that curious. It's common. See Attorney</a> Jobs, Law Jobs, Legal Jobs, Legal Recruiter, Legal Search Firm - BCG Attorney Search
and click on the ls guide--it only covers the top 50, but should give you some idea.
Note that at some LSs, some people DO get on review solely based on grades, but a certain # of slots are reserved for the write on contest. At some, you get a certain # of points based on your grades, do the write-on, and get points based on that. Those with the highest # of points get on. It varies a lot. </p>

<p>And, now, back to work!!!</p>

67

<p>
[quote]
OP, what university did you get your undergraduate from ? What was your major ? My senior high school son is interested in going to law school sometime. He wants to go to a top university for his undergraduate, with his preference being Georgetown. I rather have him not collect all this debt for his undergraduate. My question is, how much does it matter where you received your undergraduate from, provided one has high GPA and a high LSAT score ? Would going to University of Florida be a disadvantage to be admitted to he top law schools or a top graduate program ?
I keep telling him to not go into debt for undergraduate school, so he can aspire to go a top graduate or law school and take out loans for those. He thinks Georgetown is worth acquiring $100,000 in debt for undergraduate.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Hey, I'd rather not name my exact school, but it is ranked in the Top 15 National Universities (USNews). I majored in business. I received significant financial aid though and came out with less than $20,000 debt. (Part of the reason why I decided to attend a Top 15 over full rides at lower ranked schools is because I wasn't sure I was going to attend graduate school at the time, and the terminal degree institution is the one that matters.) </p>

<p>What is your EFC though? If you can receive sufficient financial aid (FAFSA), then you may not have to take out 100k on loans. 100k is quite a hefty amount of money for undergrad. </p>

<p>Nonetheless, undergrad school and major do not matter for law school admissions purposes. The only law school that has openly admitted to preferring top undergrads is UChicago. It primarily is a numbers game so if your son can rock the LSAT and maintain a high GPA, he can get into a top law school.</p>

68

<p>Update: I GOT INTO U MICHIGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>And Georgetown!!!</p>

69

<p>Congratulations!</p>