Look, first of all, when I was looking at Hofstra for the first time it was ranked #87, and I am sure it will go up far above that in the next few years because it is their objective and they are working hard towards achieving their goal. 

I can't predict how well I will do, but I have gotten A's on my memos, on my midterm for civ pro, I am the SBA 1L rep for my section, I am in the Deans Academic Advisory Committee and I feel like I have settled well within the school so far. 

My point with my post is not to be modest or a show off, it is to state the facts so I can get an objective analytical opinion.  I guess if some of you are lawyers already that point should not have been so hard to grasp. 

It is not the first time I made a choice that is questioned and frowned upon by others.  I went to the University of Maryland over two Ivy League schools in undergrad because I wanted to be close to home.  Still I again got into highly ranked schools when I applied to Law School.  I just think big law firms know better than to shun people from a chance only because of where they went to school without taking into account their class ranking and without an interview. 

So to make my question narrower, let's assume I graduate in the top 3% of my class.  What would my chances be then?

You know, I have heard too much for too long how important the name of the law school is on your diploma.  I have heard that the name can sometimes be more important than the ranking within your class.  But why?  I know some people say that it's because behind the name and the reputation comes excellent education, and even if it doesn't things are how they are and it's not I who will change it.  But I wonder if firms will really turn me down because I didn't go to a top 50 school.  I got a 169 on my LSAT, I had a 3.5 cum. GPA in my undergraduate school, I got in all but one out of 10 schools I applied to, 3 of them in the top 50 and one in the top 5...yeah...but I chose a school ranked 87 by the infamous US News and World Report for the full ride.  I thought it was an honor that a school bet so highly in my success that they said I don't have to pay to go there, that it is my name that may help build theirs up and not the other way around.  You know, I think that there is a lot more going for lawyers than a fancy law school.  I think that if you have additional, relevant attributes you are much better off than the stereotype anti-social Ivy-Leaguer.  I speak five languages, hold dual citizenship and American Residency, have traveled the world, volunteered abroad, worked at the Maryland General Assembly, was a crucial help on the passage of a really important child-welfare bill, I am outgoing, smart, persevering, persuasive, diligent, and yet somehow I hear that because I chose to go to Hofstra, and emphasis on the word "chose", I am doomed as far as jobs.  So my question to you, who have the experience required to answer my question, is whether it is really true that going to Hofstra Law is going to affect my job choices negatively.  I am not sure whether it is relevant, but my field of choice so far is M&A and other types of business law.  Thanks in advance for the replies. 

Thank you BigPimpin BU!  Yeah, if I don't get into a great law school I will try to transfer later.  I am currently enrolled in a testmasters course, that is why I have taken so many diagnostics, they are the ones that give it out.  My first diagnostic ever was from Kaplan and I got a 173...I don't know if it was bigginer's luck or what, but I followed my instincs and took the course anyways. 

Hey A.J.!  Sorry to overwhelm the law students area with my question.  I did post it in the pre law forum too, but I figured law students know just as well if not better how to address my question.  So it didn't hurt to try! 

Well, I hope to improve the reading comp...it's really the only thing I need to improve.

Thanks again!

This should be a no brainer.  Unless you want to become a professor, you should go to NYU.  Congratulations and good luck!

I was kind of in the same situation as you a few months back (Yale vs. NYU$$$). If I had to choose between those schools, I would have to say TAKE THE LSAT AGAIN!!. Please take my advice to heart. With some real dedication you can get that LSAT score you really want. Remember, "Rome wasn't built in a day", so set those goals a little higher and aim for Ivy!

Quote from: BollywoodESQ on June 22, 2006, 12:55:23 PM

Mmmm...well, I respectfully disagree.  You see, I had a high LSAT, got into some amazing schools (including one Ivy) but opted to go to Hofstra and not pay anything instead.  You would be surprised at the placements for last year's class!  Hofstra Law is a fairly new school, established in 1970, so I think it has a lot of potential, and it is a group of talented students that can help it achieve a higher status.  Plus, Ivys are more crucial if you are planning on becoming a Professor than if you want a corporate job.  As to the original question, I would go to school where I feel the most comfortable and think you would do best in.