I have been accepted to 6 law schools, the highest ranked 22 the lowest 87. My home state school has offered a full scholarship plus 3,000 dollars a year. This means I could graduate with an insignificant amount of debt compared to some of the other schools. For example, when you are looking for a job how much of a difference does it make if you graduate from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (rated 70) verse William and Mary University (rated 27th)? Or Iowa law (22) verse Boston College (27)? Or if you could go to two schools for free, say Iowa (22) verse Nebraska (70) does it really matter?
2007-01-10 15:55:48 · 5 answers · asked by Ropese01 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
It matters what school you went to, but only really for your first job. You aren't Ivy league, so the small difference in rankings don't matter too much. I'd go with the scholarship money. You could transfer after first year if you wanted to. Consider whether the school has special programs you're into and location, etc.
Far more important are grades, particularly first year. It's very competitive, as I'm sure you know. Being at the top of your class leaves the door open for hires at big firms after law school, if that's what you're into.
BTW--"One L" by Scott Turow is a great book about first year. A little exaggerated, but not much...
2007-01-10 16:38:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It helps, but not as much as you'd think. Experience matters more.
Unless it has a national rep (somewhere around the top 15 or maybe top 20), the scholarship amount helps a lot more.
I'd try and stay in the first tier though.
For Univ of Neb Lincoln (full ride) vs. William Mary - I'd pick Lincoln if I planned on working in Nebraska. Otherwise, I'd take William and Mary.
Iowa vs Boston College - I'd take whichever is closest to the area I want to work. If one's offering money, I'd go to that one. Neither have a national rep and both are first tier so I'd go with the one that gave me money.
If Iowa and Nebraska are giving you money, you go with Iowa. Even if you work in Nebraska. Nebraska would help if you worked there, but the first tier nature of Iowa helps trump that. There's no money difference to tip the scale in either direction.
2007-01-11 06:28:38 · answer #2 · answered by Linkin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First - congratulations. You're in an enviable position and should be proud.
Now for your question - I think it really depends where you want to work after graduation. Most law schools' career services focus on fairly close geographic proximity to the school, for obvious reasons. If you want to stay in Nebraska, definitely go to Nebraska. If you're looking to be on the East Coast, look more closely at W&M or BC.
Going for free is definitely a plus - but only if you can justify it by being somewhere you really want to be.
Good luck!
2007-01-14 01:29:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reputation/grading of the School is only a door-opener for the first job. After that it will be your track record which will matter. Once you have established a GOOD track record big name firms will want to take you in for BIIIIG money.
2007-01-10 16:58:57 · answer #4 · answered by majorcavalry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is not in the top 5, then go with school that is financially better for you.
2007-01-11 11:52:58 · answer #5 · answered by Matt B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋