Law School Discussion

Hey everyone :-)

I'm an incoming 1L, and I'll be starting to look for apartments in May. I was wondering if anyone has suggestions about where to live. I've heard that most students live in Shadyside or North Oakland. Are there any apartment complexes any of you would recommend? Where is rent the cheapest?

I finally decided I'm going! Anyone else?

Ok, so barring an acceptance from Tulane, these 2 schools are my final choices. For me, here are the pros and cons of each:


UPitt:
pros...
top notch health and international certificate programs
low cost of living
IMO, very friendly administration
little local competition
cons...
7 hours from home
potential restriction to the pittsburgh legal market if i don't have the grades i expect of myself


Rutgers-Newark:
pros...
in-state, cheaper-by-comparison tuition
1 hour from home
in-school clinic facility in constitutional litigation
on-campus graduate housing, brand new
cons...
35% clerkship placement
promoted agenda of public interest in all classes (or so it seems)
NEWARK


I'm kind of at a loss for which school to choose, and I was just hoping someone could offer a very candid opinion on this. I've always stayed close to home, but Pitt seems like an academically superior school (in comparison to Rutgers) while Rutgers forces me to stay in my comfort zone.

Any thoughts?

I know this topic has been posted before, but I'd like some feedback on my situation.

I'm interested in civil rights, constitutional, and labor and employment law. I've been accepted to both schools, and am currently drawn to RU-N because of its cheaper tuition. I plan on visiting during the next two weeks, but I'm just hoping for some feedback about what the key differences are between these schools in terms of job prospects, academics, student life, etc.

Also, if anyone attends either school or knows someone who does, please give me a candid view of what you know.

Thanks!

So, here's the story. I took the LSAT in Sept, got a 158, and was semi-disappointed. My practice scores were all in this range, however, so I guess I couldn't have expected much higher. In January, after applying to Brooklyn Law, I got a letter from them urging me to retake the test, as my score falls slightly below their average. I told them to hold my application, and signed up for the February test.

Fast forward a couple weeks, and let's just say that I haven't practiced and do not feel confident that my score will improve enough to be accepted there. If I were to get in with a 158, the $50,000+ yearly expense would be a huge issue for me. After just getting into Rutgers Newark, one of my top choices, I am hesitant about retaking for several reasons:

1- I don't think I have a great shot of improving
2- By the time my score will come in, it will be late February and my chances for admission to Brooklyn will be lowered (even with a slight improvement)
3- I don't think I can afford the school if I don't get money to go there

So, basically there is a chance my score could go up. By some miracle, I could earn a 165 and get money to attend schools who do want me. However, that chance is so-so.

In my place, would you retake the LSAT, submit your application as-is to Brooklyn, or withdraw from Brooklyn?

I apologize for this long-winded post, but I'm pretty confused about this...