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First off, I just wanted to give a big thanks to everyone who have visited my blog and left encouraging comments to yours truly. I read ‘em all and sincerely hope that my future legal community will treat me the same way. 
Without this blog and your kind words, I probably would not have worked so friggin hard for the LSAT. With regards to my score, I will say that I scored better than a 163 but alas, the 170 eluded me once more. I am perfectly happy with my new score since it puts me above the 90th percentile. A huge plus about getting a better LSAT score is that I’ve received several merit-based fee waivers. Here’s a sampling of them:
- University of Houston
- Michigan State
- William & Mary
- Wake Forest
- Case Western
- Cardozo
- University of Pittsburgh
- Tulane University
Admittedly, a little digging showed me that quite a few of these schools already waive your application fee if you apply online. Not gonna lie, though, I very much appreciate the fee waiver emails.
On the applications front, my final count will probably be around 11 or 12. I’m still on the fence about five schools because I want to be absolutely certain that I would be content with attending the schools that I’ve been accepted to. Really, $16 seems like pocket change considering my legal career, but I’d rather pinch a penny when I can. Law school is going to be expensive (here’s to hoping that I get some scholarship $$$). If you have an opinion on these 5 schools, please comment below.
- Wake Forest
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Iowa
- University of Washington
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I went to Wake for undergrad and knew several people in the JD program. It’s certainly a quality law school, but is also extremely rigorous according to those I know. It’s a relatively small program which might be attractive for you. Winston-Salem is a nice place to live, but if you prefer larger cities with more things to do during down time, it’s probably not the best option. It does have strong ties with many local firms, plus larger areas like Charlotte and Raleigh with further opportunities are less than two hours away.
Thanks, Robert! I would be a happy camper at WF.
If you can’t get into a T14, then don’t waste your time and money on law school. Per US News, Wake Forest is 39th, Wisconsin is 35th, Washington is 30th, Iowa is 27th, and Minnesota is 20th. Our industry is drowning in lawyers and all of the trends suggest the surplus will continue to build. Legitimate opportunities for freshly minted lawyers continue to diminish even as law schools pump out ever more grads. As a CPA and attorney, I absolutely love practicing securities law but I would not encourage anyone to pursue a law degree outside of the T14; especially since many T14 grads are experiencing tremendous difficulty in securing employment.
Check out the blog of Professor Campos entitled “Inside the Law School Scam”.
There are many other blogs of varying quality about the enormous risk of pursuing a law degree these days but the message is essentially the same: don’t go. It appears that precious few heed this advice as virtually all law schools continue to be filled to capacity. Given the flood of info available today, those who choose to ignore reality will have no one to blame but themselves. Best of luck to you no matter what you decide.
Thanks for taking the time to write this all out. I have read many of the blogs you mentioned who warn 0Ls against entering law school ITE. I’ve done my research and soul-searching– enough to know that I don’t want anything else but this.
CONGRATS! That is not a bad list at all. I know a few people at a couple of those schools.
Will say that Sconnie nation is a great fit if you want to work in Wisconsin… NO BAR EXAM!!!! ahhhhh we all have dreams.
I am applying to Wake Forest and Washington. Considering Wisconsin but going somewhere the bar is not required might not be a great idea in the long run. Iowa is a great school and UMN from what I hear is stingy with scholarships.
Wisconsin- There are only two law schools in the state, and the other one (Marquette) is ranked much lower- but, starting salaries in the state of WI are much lower than other parts of the country- and even other parts of the midwest. However, if you are top of the class- you probably have a good shot at a job in Chicago.
Iowa- BEAUTIFUL campus. My partner actually went to undergrad here so I’ve been a few times. Apparently (and please fact-check this) there is quite a discrepancy between out of state and in state tuition, but you’re eligible for in-state after one year of school/residency. That said, if you’re from away, they do something like re-assess your scholarship money (and knock it down) once you are eligible for in-state tuition.
Minnesota- BURRRR.
Wake Forest- My suggestion here would be that if you’re not from a small, southern town- you should go visit.
Sharing a comment from TTR today:
This school exemplifies what is wrong with the USNWR rankings. I am sure many unsuspecting college students enroll in law schools such as Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Alabama based on their rank (these aforementioned schools are ranked somewhere between 20-30). These are respectable schools, however, the pricetag is obscene and unjustified, even for being state schools. Several posters have correctly pointed out that these are good REGIONAL schools. Go to Cravath’s website and look up how many Minnesota law grads are employed there as attorneys. I’ll save you the trouble: there are ZERO Minnesota law grads there. Sullivan & Cromwell has only 1 Minnesota law alum who graduated over 20 years ago. So you see, the T20 ranking is meaningless if your lifelong dream is work as an associate at a prominent NYC biglaw shop.
Over the years I have met many bright law grads from Iowa and Minnesota. They express shock when they come into the NYC market and experience difficulty finding a job with their “T20″ credential. Again kids, in this market, you need to attend a T5 and graduate in the top 15% to have a shot at biglaw. Minnesota law grads USED to have their pick of the litter of legal jobs in MINNESOTA. That is no longer the case as many T14 grads are invading these traditionally undesireable markets because they can’t crack into the NYC/DC markets. If you are a kid from Long Island, NY or somewhere outside of Minnesota, thinking about attending Minnesota law, think again. You must have a regional connection to have a shot of job in Minnesota. As for other markets, you will be treated as a pariah. Thus, don’t be fooled by the “T20″ rank or state school tuition rate. This school is far from a bargain considering your job prospects coming out of this school.
November 11, 2011 9:09 AM