PENN v UVA (In-State) v MINN$$$
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 3:10 pm
Any guidance on helping me choose a law school would be GREATLY appreciated!
Background: Recent college grad that is in my late 20s (worked after high school so I could afford to go to college). Parents were military; Minnesota is basically home, but Virginia is where I currently live. Splitter stats, so retaking the LSAT wouldn't help. I am also gay.
The offers I'm struggling to choose between:
-Penn with no money at all.
-UVA, also with no money, but slightly lower in-state tuition.
-Minnesota with $90,000 total over 3 years
I would really like to work in the government, possibly PI, after law school. I'm also very interested in clerking as well.
UVA has always been one of my top choices, and I was beyond overjoyed when I was accepted. I currently live in NOVA, and I know that UVA has a great reputation, especially here in DC, and I know several people who went to UVA that currently work in the government. Having grown up in rural and conservative areas though, moving back to a small town, especially after the recent protests and riots, is starting to be less and less appealing. DC has been great, I'm finally living in a place where there are more than 10 gay people in a 50 mile radius. I know it sounds silly, but actually being able to date/meet up with other LGBT folks has dramatically made my life better. I know that Charlottesville itself is liberal, but being smaller and surrounded by very conservative folks makes me anxious as to whether I would enjoy the environment.
After I visited Penn and Philadelphia, I loved the area and I especially loved the LGBT group at the law school. It seems like they're very involved, and the group itself seems very supportive. My biggest concern about Penn though is the debt and job prospects. Because I'll be paying for law school without any help, taking out loans for a much higher COL and slightly higher tuition makes me nervous. I also know that Penn and UVA are peers, but it seems as though UVA has a slight edge with DC, clerking, and government connections.
The last choice is Minnesota, with around $90,000 in total for 3 years. I have family in the area, and I enjoy Minneapolis. The LGBT scene is awesome, and I even enjoy the winters. But being much lower ranked than UVA or Penn, it seems as though their job prospects are pretty much limited to Minneapolis/Minnesota. The law school also wasn't as impressive as UVA/Penn, and while I could spend three years there, compared to the feeling when I visited UVA and Penn, I just wouldn't enjoy the school as much. The money is a big draw though. I wouldn't be against working in state or local government, and with the lower debt load, I could look at PI jobs that I may not consider if I went to UVA/Penn.
HELPPPPPPP
Background: Recent college grad that is in my late 20s (worked after high school so I could afford to go to college). Parents were military; Minnesota is basically home, but Virginia is where I currently live. Splitter stats, so retaking the LSAT wouldn't help. I am also gay.
The offers I'm struggling to choose between:
-Penn with no money at all.
-UVA, also with no money, but slightly lower in-state tuition.
-Minnesota with $90,000 total over 3 years
I would really like to work in the government, possibly PI, after law school. I'm also very interested in clerking as well.
UVA has always been one of my top choices, and I was beyond overjoyed when I was accepted. I currently live in NOVA, and I know that UVA has a great reputation, especially here in DC, and I know several people who went to UVA that currently work in the government. Having grown up in rural and conservative areas though, moving back to a small town, especially after the recent protests and riots, is starting to be less and less appealing. DC has been great, I'm finally living in a place where there are more than 10 gay people in a 50 mile radius. I know it sounds silly, but actually being able to date/meet up with other LGBT folks has dramatically made my life better. I know that Charlottesville itself is liberal, but being smaller and surrounded by very conservative folks makes me anxious as to whether I would enjoy the environment.
After I visited Penn and Philadelphia, I loved the area and I especially loved the LGBT group at the law school. It seems like they're very involved, and the group itself seems very supportive. My biggest concern about Penn though is the debt and job prospects. Because I'll be paying for law school without any help, taking out loans for a much higher COL and slightly higher tuition makes me nervous. I also know that Penn and UVA are peers, but it seems as though UVA has a slight edge with DC, clerking, and government connections.
The last choice is Minnesota, with around $90,000 in total for 3 years. I have family in the area, and I enjoy Minneapolis. The LGBT scene is awesome, and I even enjoy the winters. But being much lower ranked than UVA or Penn, it seems as though their job prospects are pretty much limited to Minneapolis/Minnesota. The law school also wasn't as impressive as UVA/Penn, and while I could spend three years there, compared to the feeling when I visited UVA and Penn, I just wouldn't enjoy the school as much. The money is a big draw though. I wouldn't be against working in state or local government, and with the lower debt load, I could look at PI jobs that I may not consider if I went to UVA/Penn.
HELPPPPPPP