| Topic Name: |
non-top 10 law schools |
| Message Name: |
McGeorge vs. |
| Date Posted: |
05/17/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
In general, I think that school rank is an important factor, but only one important factor, in school choice. If your one source of all happiness is living in Boston, for example, then you might well study better there than OSU. I think an argument can be made for finding the locale with the least social life and a cost of living conducive to the least stress, as it is likely that top grades from any of the three schools will put you in a better position than secondary grades from the best of the three schools. As ninety percent of the class is not in the top ten percent of the class, though, school quality can make quite a difference in terms of how low down the list the large, and in particular the top midsize firms, go in recruiting.
I practice in California. I can only speak for myself, a small firm lawyer in the LA area. If we got three resumes which were identical but for school identity, we would think all three schools are acceptable, but OSU would far and away be the standout choice in our minds. Whether the difference in perception is justified or not, OSU is perceived as a top tier school.
But that doesn't really end the inquiry.
Although I cannot imagine that even in traditional Boston an OSU degree would not be a big help, there is an argument for doing your school where you intend to practice. This is because if you are a below-median student grades-wise, you may wish to try to get clerkships during your second and third year to "work your way" into a post-graduation job. This is an argument away from simply taking the highest tier job, in favor of other factors.
In this good economy, law journal and high class rank from any of the three will "travel", but you may travel higher with OSU. |
| Message: |
Gurdonak, sorry to bother you about this, but since you are from California, what would be your first impression of a graduate from McGeorge (tier 4: is is really so bad)? All other things being equal, would they be given similar consideration to graduates from tier 2 schools such as Loyola or San Diego? Would I "have to" work extra hard to make personal connections or "have to" get on the law review? Gotta big scholarship from there, so just askin'...
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