The Decision: Georgetown v. Texas v. UCLA -- An ATL Debate
As we move deeper into spring, more aspiring law students will have to make up their minds about matriculation destinations. Today we’ll look at the case of a student who’s choosing between a trio of very fine schools. Where should this person go?
Make that questions, plural. He’s a Future Gunner; of course he has a four-part query:
1. Which of these law schools should I attend?
2. Given that I have a plan and a little experience, what would you suggest that I do now to make myself more marketable (besides grades, law review, moot court, etc.)? I plan on taking programming classes at a local community college over the summer, as I’m told that they would be helpful in today’s economy.
3. Do you believe the job market will pick up in a few years? I understand “the legal market will never be the same” argument, but in the “new” legal market will T14 candidates have an advantage?
4. With the schools I have mentioned, do you think it’s best to try and re-take the LSAT to try and get into a better university?
I’ll take the questions in reverse order. Readers, please feel free to share your own opinions in the comments.
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With the schools I have mentioned, do you think it’s best to try and re-take the LSAT to try and get into a better university?
I’m not an admissions counselor or consultant, but my answer to this would be “no.” Georgetown, Texas, and UCLA are three excellent law schools, and many of their graduates do quite well in the job market. If your heart is set on getting a J.D. from a school that’s even higher in the rankings than these three (and there aren’t many schools that fit the bill), just do as well as you can in your 1L year and transfer out.
Do you believe the job market will pick up in a few years? I understand “the legal market will never be the same” argument, but in the “new” legal market will T14 candidates have an advantage?
My crystal ball says… nobody knows anything. So many predictions about the legal market have turned out to be wrong. I predicted spring bonuses for this year, and they have yet to show up.
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It’s certainly the case that some big-picture trends, like advances in legal technology and the rise of outsourcing, could mean fewer jobs for lawyers (or fewer good jobs for lawyers). But it’s also the case that graduates of highly ranked schools will still do well — not all of them, of course, but many of them.
Given that I have a plan and a little experience, what would you suggest that I do now to make myself more marketable (besides grades, law review, moot court, etc.)? I plan on taking programming classes at a local community college over the summer, as I’m told that they would be helpful in today’s economy.
I’d reiterate my earlier advice about trying to do something in between college and law school. There’s still time to defer, right?
I suppose you could also try and brush up on your second language, if you have one, or acquire a third one — maybe you’ll discover your inner polyglot. You can also start reading up on some of your 1L subjects — at the risk of turning into, well, a Future Gunner.
Which of these law schools should I attend?
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Assuming that you don’t have a strong geographical preference — Los Angeles, Austin, and D.C. are very different places — and assuming the money isn’t an issue, I dunno… Georgetown? Because it’s #13, UCLA is #15, and Texas is #16?
Am I recommending a mindless reliance on rankings and status hierarchy? Yes. Welcome to the legal profession.
Okay — on a more serious note, Future Gunner claims to be interested in securities law. GULC has a strong faculty in corporate law and securities regulation, with more professors teaching and writing in this field than Texas or UCLA (although note that UCLA has Professor Stephen Bainbridge, who’s great). Faculty strength is a reasonable point in G-town’s favor.
Georgetown is also based in D.C., home to the SEC and to numerous firms with strong securities practices. This locational advantage could present opportunities for term-time internships and additional networking.
So that’s my two cents. Let’s hear what Elie has to say, and then open up a reader poll to tally your votes….
