Florida Coastal vs. Hamline

[gbeard05]

Hello,

I am currently accepted at FCSL and Hamline and torn between the decision.  The schools I really want to get into- WVU, U Maine, and Marquette- I am waitlisted at.  So, I have to make a deposit at FCSL or Hamline coming up here.  I would really like some input on any aspect of both schools.  I am from MN and one attractive bit about FCSL is that it ISN'T in MN.  Also, is it REALLY that hard to go to a school in FL then find a job back in the midwest?  If I did well at one of the two schools is it (again) REALLY that hard to transfer to a T3 or top 100 school?

Any input is great, though I am aware that both are T4 schools and there is nothing I can do about it.

[IamAnXman]

both schools are in a good position to jump into the 3rd tier over the next few years, gbeard. you have that going for you in your future if you choose these locations to pursue your legal career. however, and this is important- it would be much more beneficial to your JD if you attended one of the those other schools you listed, simply because of the ranking system and the way it's constructed.

if we knew your numbers, we could help you a little more,

[$Bill]

Also, is it REALLY that hard to go to a school in FL then find a job back in the midwest?

East North Central: 2.1

Thats the % Alumni that are employed in your entire region.

So, low ranked school with no networking support= scary job prospects.

[$Bill]

FCSL offers huge scholarships as incentive.  I have no doubt their conditions and curves are quite scary.

[IamAnXman]

^ what do you mean by that, bill? are you assuming their teaching methods are for not and they are an easy school at which no area of law can be properly learned/taught?

[$Bill]

FCSL offers huge scholarships as incentive.  I have no doubt their conditions and curves are quite scary.

^ what do you mean by that, bill? are you assuming their teaching methods are for not and they are an easy school at which no area of law can be properly learned/taught?

! Wha

[CoupDeGlace]

FCSL offers huge scholarships as incentive.  I have no doubt their conditions and curves are quite scary.

^ what do you mean by that, bill? are you assuming their teaching methods are for not and they are an easy school at which no area of law can be properly learned/taught?

! Wha

I have to agree with you, I think the scholarships that Florida Coastal seems to offer to everyone are quite shady. Particularly because it seems to mirror the trend of some of these schools that lure in all these students, who would otherwise never have chosen them, for the first year with nice scholarships, and then make it impossible (through curves and conditions) for all but a percentage to maintain these scholarships.

I don't know much about Hamline... but from what I do know about Florida Coastal, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

[Clayton]

I recieved an email scholarship offer in May 07 for ~12,000 or so from Florida Coastal. I did not apply to the school nor did I have any intentions of going to law school in 2007. It is the first and only unsolicited scholarship offer I have ever recieved.

I would aviod, and I have serious doubts of the schools ability to "jump" to tier 3. 

[stinabee]

Hello,

I am currently accepted at FCSL and Hamline and torn between the decision.  The schools I really want to get into- WVU, U Maine, and Marquette- I am waitlisted at.  So, I have to make a deposit at FCSL or Hamline coming up here.  I would really like some input on any aspect of both schools.  I am from MN and one attractive bit about FCSL is that it ISN'T in MN.  Also, is it REALLY that hard to go to a school in FL then find a job back in the midwest?  If I did well at one of the two schools is it (again) REALLY that hard to transfer to a T3 or top 100 school?

Any input is great, though I am aware that both are T4 schools and there is nothing I can do about it.

If you don't get into one of the schools you are waitlisted at, why don't you reapply next cycle and try again?

I'm from FL and have heard NOTHING good about FCSL. Its a for-profit law school with, as others said, shady scholarship offers. I got a solicited email that was personalized with my numbers, offering 15k. The only other school that did that was that weird Phoenix online college. So that certainly says something about what kind of school it is. Also I'm pretty sure its the worst in the state (correct me if I'm wrong anyone). Not only will it be near impossible to get a legal job back home with that degree, it will be hard coming out of Jacksonville with that degree. You are competing with UF, FSU, Stetson, Miami...all of which have stronger programs. As far as moving up into at T3 school, I have no idea. I also know nothing about Hamline. When is your deposit due by? I thought most schools don't require deposits until April at least.

Good luck:)

[jalex519]

If you wouldn't mind living in North Florida, I would recommend FCSL, the school has very good placement there. They also have a better program than most people on this board would make it seem (ex. they have the 2nd highest bar passage rate in the state of Florida, only behind UF). If you absolutely want to practice in Minnesota though, Hamline is DEFINITELY the way to go.