Historically Black or just law school...what should I do?.....what did YOU do?

[psychlaw0610]

I'm new here. I found this sight just by luck and it's a Godsend. I will be a sophomore in college this fall majoring in political science and psychology and my ultimate educational goal is going to law school and becoming a lawyer. I've always known the law was my passion and I know that it is the career I want. I went back and forth with law and psychology so I combined them and I hope to also be a psychologist, that way if the firm I'm working for needs help with jury selection or evaluating witnesses they have an in home person to do that as well.

When it came to my undergrad education I chose a private university. I had numerous people, including some family members and friends ask why I didn't want to go to an all black school. For high school, my parents put me in a private college prep high school which was about 90% white....in my graduating class there were just 4 of us. Honestly, it didn't bother me one bit, I never felt out of place or inferior. I know who I am and I don't "act" like one race over another.

Now the university I'm currently at is small but very diverse but still whites make up the most.

Now for law school, I have in mind a good 5 schools that I wouldn't mind going to. I'm comparing them all and they all offer me so much. I've gotten feedback from others who have been helping me but the end decision will be my own. But an aunt was completly shocked that I didn't list TSU - Thurgood Marshall School of Law as one of my choices since I live in Texas. No offense to TSU students, alumni, and so forth but I would never go there. The current things going on right now only reinforce that. I have on my list almost every other law school in this state....but them I have people trying to shy me away from those schools saying "oh they don't want you there...look they barely have good minority number"

I want to go to law school here because I'll be practicing here plus I'd rather pay the instate tuition and we have top rated schools

I just never thought of going to a historically black university or law school. I don't know why. Part of me thinks that I won't get a good job because employers will think I didn't learn or that it was too easy and I wasn't challenged. And another part of me asks myself why I would go....the world is not one race so why should my school environment be.

As far as money, I am in no way rich. But let others tell it: I went to a private high school, I got a car at 16, and now I go to a private university......they say we're rich. And the fact that my parents pay for my school full with NO finanical aid whatsoever. A non-practicing lawyer gave me the CLEO website and told me to look into it....well that's a no because it clearly says low income.

They won't even give us anything, I've always resented that and I'm sure the same will be for law school. I want so badly to have it paid for on my own. I did so many scholarships for college and nothing surfaced.........I did all kinds....what got me were the "black" ones that also included parents income ::)I'm sure that was the killer of the whole thing. I'll bet they didn't even read what I had to say.

Both of my parents work so hard and I just really want to let them be free and do things for themselves. Most of the time through the week I see them in moderation but their always working to pay for my college right now and I can only imagine what law school will be like.

They keep saying that we'll do loans for law school but I really don't like loans...I don't want us to be paying back for the next 30 years.

I have an overall GPA of 3.5 and last fall my first half in college I made a 4.0 so I make the grade yet I never get a scholarship or anything like that. I'm still prayerful and I do believe it will happen.

Should I just forget my list and go to a black law school or the cheaper price or stick with what I want and just pray that the money will sort out itself.

What did you do? Anyone NOT go to a historically black law school? Anyone not get financial aid...how is that working?

[chydiva82]

Hope this is not a flame...doesn't sound like one but who knows...

Anyway I'm not exactly sure as to what you are asking...sorry but your post moves from one topic to the next so I had a hard time following along.....

it sounds like you dont want to attend an HBCU but you *should* because 1. you are black and 2. it will be cheaper

p.s. btw, you have some time to be thinking about this....you are GOING TO be sophmore in college....yeah I think you have some time

[TheBreadWinner]

Have you taken the LSAT yet?  Find out where you are scoring before you 'decide' where you are going to go to law school. 

As for CLEO, I have a friend that is a CPA that just did it...  Needless to say, CPAs are not low income qualifiers.  Especially when they work for Ernst & Young.  He loved the CLEO program, and ended up #3 in his class.  He now has several offers from T30 schools.

[pikey]

If you're a minority, CLEO doesn't even ask about your income (at least for the ASAP and AIE programs).  As for scholarships, schools, etc, right now your main focus should be your GPA.  Come back in two years when you're getting ready to apply.

[Sparkz1920]

I just never thought of going to a historically black university or law school. I don't know why. Part of me thinks that I won't get a good job because employers will think I didn't learn or that it was too easy and I wasn't challenged. And another part of me asks myself why I would go....the world is not one race so why should my school environment be.

Well, i can gree with you on the TSU statement, they are going through some isues right now but i heard the law school isnt bad at all.

And about the bolded, i wouldnt say that. I went to an HBCU and i chose to attend another HBCU for law school because my professors undergrad went there and they're are some of the most intelligent black males that i know, and all make pretty good money too and are very respectable. ADA's, District Court Judges, and private practice Atty's.My mother tried to get me to attend a white Law School and in essence, i wanted to, but my LSAT wasnt all that spectacular and by my junior year, i really was interested in Southern. Now thats mot to say i may not transfer and go to a hgiher ranked school, but honestly thats not my top priority and if i feel im getting an adequate legal education, then ill stay. From speaking with students that attend, finding employment and clerkships iant hard coming from there.

Now i chose to attend an HBCU for undergrad because i wanted to give  back to the schools who would accept us from the getgo. I ejoyed my experience and honestly, its not that hard getting a job coming from an HBCU. Im sitting right next to another Legal Asst who went to U of Md which has alot of clout in this area. It actually surprised me how much clout Grambling has in this area and how many white people know about it. They are always impressed when i mention it. If they only knew...

[TheJudge]

Depends on what type of law you want to do.

If you want to do BIGLAW go to YSH.

If you want to do criminal law with an emphasis on crack dealing and murder defense, go to a HBCU.  It will really resonate with your clients-to-be.

[Sparkz1920]

Depends on what type of law you want to do.

If you want to do BIGLAW go to YSH.

If you want to do criminal law with an emphasis on crack dealing and murder defense, go to a HBCU.  It will really resonate with your clients-to-be.

Sounds ignorant as hell

But i digress

To the OP, you have plenty of time to think about it, and go where you will most feel comfortable and will most benefit in the field you want to go into

[TruOne]

Uhm. . .yeah . . .if you ALREADY think that going to an HBCU will de-value you in the eyes of employers then you obviously don't value your ability to get good grades and network.

You know. . .the things ALL STUDENTS do, regardless of whether their school is populated by mostly white or black faces.

You are only a Sophomore, like another poster said, you need to focus on your GPA. I know a lot of cats who got high gpas their Freshman year but then DROPPED  as the next 3 years went along.

You keep them grades up and go talk to some more people, because the truth is: Unless you go to YHS you will be seen as a BLACK lawyer, regardless of what school you got your degree from.

[psychlaw0610]

Thanks for the responses.

What's wrong with planning ahead? I don't want it to be 2009 and I'm about to be a senior and I'm just now looking into law schools and the LSAT. That does fly with me. I have a cousin who wants to go to law school and he will be a senior this year and he hasn't even took a practice LSAT.

When I was a junior in high school my parents and I went around touring colleges...they all thought it was funny when I stayed in the dorms at just 16. But ny senior year in high school I didn't have to worry about a thing, I had already taken the ACT and SAT and applied and toured the schools I wanted so I ONLY applied to the ones I liked.

I had friends in April who were still unsure of what college they were going to...I was already designed my room theme.
I've invested too much in my future to quit now, there is NO way I'm dropping out saying "it's too hard" life is hard and expensive...I need this and I WANT it

[Stand under my Umbrella ella ella, aye!!]

Uhm. . .yeah . . .if you ALREADY think that going to an HBCU will de-value you in the eyes of employers then you obviously don't value your ability to get good grades and network.

You know. . .the things ALL STUDENTS do, regardless of whether their school is populated by mostly white or black faces.

You are only a Sophomore, like another poster said, you need to focus on your GPA. I know a lot of cats who got high gpas their Freshman year but then DROPPED  as the next 3 years went along.

. You keep them grades up and go talk to some more people, because the truth is: Unless you go to YHS you will be seen as a BLACK lawyer, regardless of what school you got your degree from

[quote/]

I dont know why, but something tells me thats pretty credited.  its not like white folk havent heard of affirmative action.  they will probably assume you are a recipient.  and unless you went to yhs they probably wont be too impressed with where you went, unless you can manage good grades there, then it would matter.  way i see it is top of the class at a place like howard gets as much respect as someone who just graduated without distinction at your average t-14.  trouble is dont finish at the bottom half at an hbcu it will be tough from what ive heard, especially when compared to bottom half at a t14. but really, most people at most schools have it somewhat more difficult if they finish bottom half.