So I decided to enroll in Temple after getting waitlisted at Davis.  Temple gave me full tuition.  Funny thing is that, the same day I send my second deposit to Temple, Davis mails me the letter stating that I got off the waitlist.  I'm quite happy with the idea of going to Temple, but I really like Davis.  I don't care much if I end up in the east or west coast but I would love to go into public interest.  What do you think?

any other opinions??

I got into those three schools and from the rest, UC Davis is the other school high on my list.  I am interested in public service positions, particularly in criminal, immigration and international law, but I want to keep my options open (I also have an unexplained interest in taxation).  I'd like to study in a school that is strong in their region and offers practical experience. 

Temple - They gave me a full tuition scholarship that, if I keep it, I would have more freedom when choosing a job.  I love that they are in a big city, but I have never been in Philadelphia and don't know the city.  They also have a strong litigation and writing program, which for me, are very appealing.

Northeastern - I've worked with Northeastern graduates and can see firsthand that the school produces attorneys with practical experience.  I like the opportunities that the coop program can bring the students but I do not like the fact that every three months, I would start a new job search and have to find housing if I get a coop out of Boston.  I also love that the school has a strong focus on public interest but am afraid that Northeastern's strong focus on public interst could close doors should I decide to go a different route. 

American - At one point, it was my top choice but it is very pricey.  The other schools have given me a scholarship but I have heard nothing on that regard from American.  However, American is strong in international law, particularly with Latin America.  I've focused on this region at work and at college and would love to also pursue it in law school. 

(maybe) Davis - Ok, I have not gotten into Davis yet (they take too darn long to review an application).  Davis seems to have some good clinics (particularly the immigration clinic).  Also, the school seems to be pretty laid back and could open doors to more jobs than the other schools.  I am not a California resident but I would make arrangements to become a resident after 1L.

Which school should I choose if I get into Davis?  If I do not get into Davis, which school should I choose?  Opinions? 

hopefully the flame is gone and I can ask a very general & open question...

What, in your opinion are the best, the worst, and the most irritating things about Temple law? 

That's pretty cool.  I was under the impression Temple wanted mid-160s and 3.5+ GPAs to offer that kind of money.  Drexel's deadline is May 1st, which is one of the latest I've seen.  So like I said, I'm not so sure I'd be SOL for Drexel considering their application process continues through March and April.  My letters of recommendation are in, and my personal statement will be finished this weekend.  I plan on having my applications out before March 1st.  As for working after college, I've been planning on doing law school for the better part of thirteen years, and I've never really had a back-up plan.  I have absolutely no idea what I would do, what I'd enjoy doing, or what I'm even qualified to do, but I bet I wouldn't enjoy it since I know it's not what I want to do with my life.

I still don't see why I can't bust my ass and try to transfer to a school like Temple.  That's not unheard of.

You have no idea what you are qualified to do, what you would enjoy doing?  Even more reason to take a year off to explore what is out there while preparing for the LSAT.  You could take a legal or nonlegal job and see firsthand what you can or cannot do.  Who knows, maybe you would enjoy something else or discover that there is a niche in the law that you feel passionate about and would enter law school with a better idea of where your legal career will take you.  I took 4 years off.  The first year, I thought it was gonna be just one year and then head to a PhD History program but I liked the legal job I took that decided to change career paths.  After that I worked more because, honestly, I got lazy about the LSAT.  But the point is that the one year, apart of being able to help you prepare your applications and improve your LSAT enormously, can help you professionally. 

And law school is an investment in every sense of the word.  Invest more time in the test.  I'm sure if you do that and improve, your chances at getting at a better regional school will improve, as well as the likelihood of scholarship money that could reduce your final debt load.  You could always try to transfer, but that is never guaranteed to occur.  If you want to transfer to a school, you might as well fight as hard as possible to get into that school.