I'm down to 5, which should I choose???

[scooby21322]

Ok, I'm down to five schools.  I've visted all 5 of them, and there are things I like about each of them.  I could also see myself living in each of these areas.  I've calculated a rough estimate of the debt (after tution, scholarships and cost of living have been considered) I'd take in for each school.  Also, I really don't have aspirations to enter into a large firm that will require me to sell my soul. 

The schools                  Debt

Arkansas                    $44,000.
St. Louis                   $51,000.
Kentucky                    $63,000.
Tennessee                   $84,000.
Wake Forest                 $110,000.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Quail!]

Tenn., solely because Rocky Top is the freaking best fight song ever

[Chandler Bing]

I'd take either Arkansas or St. Louis because, all things being equal, they have the least amount of debt attached to them.

Arkansas' COL is less than St. Louis', but St. Louis is more urban than both Little Rock and Fayetteville. You also have the midwest v. south thing going on.

It's basically a matter of do you like urban or rural areas better (not that Arkansas is rural, but it's more open than St. Louis).


Good luck!

[calirestinpeace]

I'd pick Knoxville all things even, but the difference in debt would probably have to be a huge factor for me.

[barenakedtjm]

Tenn., solely because Rocky Top is the freaking best fight song ever

Rocky Top is awful.  We completely annihilated them in the Peach Bowl a couple of years ago and they still wouldn't stop playing that damned tune.

[broyle99]

I'd take Wake. While a more expensive price tag is associated with this choice you will command a higher starting salary, even w/out selling your soul.  With that higher starting salary you can move into whatever job market you'd like and take that salary comparison with you.  Bottom line: You'll be a lawyer in 3 yrs time and you'll have 30 yrs to practice.  The money you'll spend on a solid education will be a drop in the bucket in terms of paying it off over the next 15 years.

Side note: If your soul does become available for sale at a later date I'd be willing to purchase it in exchange for Alf pogs... remember Alf?

[Rule of Reason]

go to SLU...

Debt difference between them and Arkansas is not too bad and SLU might have some decent connections (jesuit school - right) and its in the 2nd tier...


Plus St. Louis is cheap to live in and if you can manage to find a place in "The Lou" (by Wash U)and commute  that is a cool area...


Well, ok I'd consider Wake too although I don't know how far their reputation will get you...

See what the consensus is on that... How high are they ranked? 40's?

[scooby21322]

SLU is ranked 80, Wake, 38, Kentucky and Tennessee are both around 60 and Arkansas is 3rd tier (though from what I understand they just moved down for some reason). 

Here's my worry.  I'm not sure what area of law I want to practice yet.  If I go to wake and end up loving public sector type work, I'd never be able to pay back $100,000+ in loans.  However, the salary difference is pretty significant. 

Right now I'd have to say Arkansas and St. Louis are the front runners for me, just because of the low debt.  Is the extra $20,000 worth it? 


Haha, Alf.  Great offer, but I think I'll hold onto my soul. 

[skeeball]

SLU! SLU!

[broyle99]

Haha, Alf.  Great offer, but I think I'll hold onto my soul. 
[/quote]

It's a Simpsons reference where Bart sells his soul to Milhouse and Milhouse pawns them for Alf pogs.