Why should I go to an American school?

[lovethelaw2010]

Also just depends on what kind of law you want to practice.  I am getting my JD in America and then am going to go to England to get an LLM because I am interested in doing mainly international work and that is largely based off of English law.  I don't know what Candada is like though.

[AllyS]

I can think of a few good reasons to stay in Canada:

1) Tuition -- Tuition in Canada ranges from 7000 - 22000 (with most schools around the 10,000 range). Why pay 45,000/year when you don't have to?

2) Admission standards -- due to Canada's small population, less people apply to law schools and thus there is less distinction between the best schools and the worst schools in terms of admission standards. A 166 could get you into any school in Canada

3) Rankings -- there is less pressure to get into a "good" school in Canada. Though a school's rank is somewhat important in Canada, it is no where near as competitive as it is in the US

However, I've heard that significant scholarships are more common in the US, so if you're getting a full or partial ride, that may affect your decision to study in the states

[nerfco]

I can think of a few good reasons to stay in Canada:

1) Tuition -- Tuition in Canada ranges from 7000 - 22000 (with most schools around the 10,000 range). Why pay 45,000/year when you don't have to?

2) Admission standards -- due to Canada's small population, less people apply to law schools and thus there is less distinction between the best schools and the worst schools in terms of admission standards. A 166 could get you into any school in Canada

3) Rankings -- there is less pressure to get into a "good" school in Canada. Though a school's rank is somewhat important in Canada, it is no where near as competitive as it is in the US

However, I've heard that significant scholarships are more common in the US, so if you're getting a full or partial ride, that may affect your decision to study in the states

So your conclusion is that, essentially, 166 and lower students don't gain from going to America? Would you conclude that those above this line students do gain from traveling south, and have no reason to stay in Canada?

Just curious.

[gillesthegreat]

Not comparable?  You still don't get it - what I am saying is that U of T is a non-ABA school.  That's fact.  Yes it is the top law school in Canada, without question, but it is a non-ABA approved school, so it is included in that group.  So yes, U of T and non-ABA approved law schools are one and the same

Wow. That has to be one of the most ridiculous or misleading statements I've read here. Worthy of a cheap plaintiff attorney! Since all A is B, therefore, A is the same as B. Nice. Good luck in law school.

[TeresaPinfold]

It would be useful if it helped in any way in determining whether UofT has a 0% bar passage rate or a 100% passage rate, but sadly, it doesn't. Only 36% of people in the world speak any English, and Americans are people in the world, so clearly, very few Americans speak English. If there was ANY reason to believe that it was at all a random sample of non-ABA takers, it might not be quite as laughable, but given that UofT has the smartest students, while other non-ABA schools have the dumbest, it's a fairly epic piece of reasoning.

[gillesthegreat]

he he ... 'epic'. I like.

[AllyS]

I can think of a few good reasons to stay in Canada:

1) Tuition -- Tuition in Canada ranges from 7000 - 22000 (with most schools around the 10,000 range). Why pay 45,000/year when you don't have to?

2) Admission standards -- due to Canada's small population, less people apply to law schools and thus there is less distinction between the best schools and the worst schools in terms of admission standards. A 166 could get you into any school in Canada

3) Rankings -- there is less pressure to get into a "good" school in Canada. Though a school's rank is somewhat important in Canada, it is no where near as competitive as it is in the US

However, I've heard that significant scholarships are more common in the US, so if you're getting a full or partial ride, that may affect your decision to study in the states

So your conclusion is that, essentially, 166 and lower students don't gain from going to America? Would you conclude that those above this line students do gain from traveling south, and have no reason to stay in Canada?

Just curious.

I'm not arguing that it's better to go to a Canadian school -- there are definately many advantages to going to an American school over a Canadian school. I just wanted to mention a few benefits to staying in Canada for anyone who's still debating which is better for them. Additional factors may lead someone to choose an American school, but these are some of the factors which made Canadian schools more desirable for me.

[Geo_Storm]

I can think of a few good reasons to stay in Canada:

1) Tuition -- Tuition in Canada ranges from 7000 - 22000 (with most schools around the 10,000 range). Why pay 45,000/year when you don't have to?

2) Admission standards -- due to Canada's small population, less people apply to law schools and thus there is less distinction between the best schools and the worst schools in terms of admission standards. A 166 could get you into any school in Canada

3) Rankings -- there is less pressure to get into a "good" school in Canada. Though a school's rank is somewhat important in Canada, it is no where near as competitive as it is in the US

However, I've heard that significant scholarships are more common in the US, so if you're getting a full or partial ride, that may affect your decision to study in the states

Lower Admission standards, less emphasis on rankings, less pressure, LESS GAP BETWEEN THE RICH ("good" school) and POOR ("bad" school), Such typical Canadian socialist thinking. You're certainly entitled to it. That said, my 3000/year tuition did lead me to stay in Canada.

[MorningStar]

I can think of a few good reasons to stay in Canada:

1) Tuition -- Tuition in Canada ranges from 7000 - 22000 (with most schools around the 10,000 range). Why pay 45,000/year when you don't have to?

2) Admission standards -- due to Canada's small population, less people apply to law schools and thus there is less distinction between the best schools and the worst schools in terms of admission standards. A 166 could get you into any school in Canada

3) Rankings -- there is less pressure to get into a "good" school in Canada. Though a school's rank is somewhat important in Canada, it is no where near as competitive as it is in the US

However, I've heard that significant scholarships are more common in the US, so if you're getting a full or partial ride, that may affect your decision to study in the states

This discussion is lacking the key distinction of whether a graduate intends to work in the U.S or Canada.  If you intend to stay in the U.S, you will benefit greatly from attending a U.S institution (assuming you are accepted to comparable schools in either country).  This isn't to say that making the transition to the U.S directly from a Canadian school is impossible, but the cards are stacked against you (maximize your chances by being at choice top schools and finishing top 20%).

I think if you want to practice/live in the U.S, go to a U.S school. 
If you are unsure, stay in Canada, work your butt off and you won't be closing any doors.   

[P-155]

Morningstar, I know that some Ontario lawyers are able to practise in some States such as NY. How does it work for lawyers from the U.S. Which States allow lawyers to practice in the Great White North?