Law School Discussion

GetUpGetDown's Situation:

Villanova @ Cost or Case Western w/ $13,000 per year? ... Tuition @ both schools is absurd.

I plan on practicing in either Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. Will a Case Western degree carry to Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh for that matter? Additionally, will a Villanova degree carry to Pittsburgh?

I have yet to hear back from PITT and am assuming that is a sign of being waitlisted ... So we'll leave that school out of the equation for this post.

I am very interested in international law and will attempt to transfer to Georgetown, my ideal school, after 1L if I manage to get into the top of either school's class. Which school would give me a better shot at a transfer to Georgetown?

I know what you all are thinking: "Take a year off. Study hard for the LSAT to raise your score because you simply cannot count on transferring." Well I am unsure if a year off is a viable option at this point. I have a poor family situation and am practically homeless ... that is a sad term ... "domicile challenged" after I graduate next week. Thus, I am attending law school without any family backing/support. A break in my education will cause me to  start paying on my student loans (because I waived my grace period to consolidate them) and with the job market in my area I'm not sure I could support myself for the year. I don't know, perhaps I'm just being negative about the year off option. Do any of you feel that is the best option?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

An equal mix of overconfidence, stupidity, and writer's block made me apply late in the cycle. It's April (the season of seat deposits) and I've yet to hear from a school I actually want to attend. Starting to get a little anxious ... I check my email appx. 8,647 times a day and meet the mailman at the door.

Anyone out there going through this? Want to offer words of encouragement or discouragement, I'm not picky ...