Choosing between three law schools to study family law

[Administrator]

What follows is the transcript of a conversation between a student, Brit, and one of our Admissions gurus, Dave, regarding Britt's choice between three different schools to study family law.

Brit: "Hi Dave, I am struggling between three schools in particular-GW, William and Mary, and Uni of Maryland (the state I live). I have a big scholarship from W&M and a small one from Uni of MD, but nothing from GW. I want to practice family law in DC and MD. I am debt averse especially because I know I may not be making a lot of money practicing family law, but I also want to attend a school where I will be happy with my decision in the end. What are your thoughts? Thank you."

Dave Killoran: "Hey Brit, Thanks for the question! Can you start by posting the debt/job/rankings analysis using the LST Reports/USNews/Above the Law? They look like this example:

https://www.lstreports.com/schools/fordham/ -- Non-discounted cost of $307K - $135K scholarship = $172K debt.

Fordham: Employment score = 66.8% / Under Employment = 17.8%

Fordham Rankings: USNews #36 ; ATL: unranked

You always want to underpin your analysis using as many facts and details possible, and I need to see exactly what you mean by "big" and "small" scholarships before I can make any sort of informed comment

Once you add in the financial details and post those, I'll come back and share a few thoughts that will be specific to your situation. Thanks!"

Brit: "Hi Dave, thanks for responding. I put together the info. Again I would like to work possibly in family law and have the opportunity to work in the gov. in DC and MD.

GW: *note I would be living at home
Non-discounted cost of $308k
GW: Employment score = 64% / Under Employment = 21.1%
GW Rankings: USnews #30; ATL: #33

William and Mary:
Non-discounted cost of $184k - $75k scholarship = 109k debt
W&M: Employment score= 66.3% / Under Employment = 35%
W&M Rankings: USnews #41; ATL: #23

University of Maryland:
Non-discounted cost of $202k-8k scholarship= 194k
GW: Employment score = 57.1% / Under Employment = 20.3%
UMD Rankings: USnews #48; ATL: #33 Not ranked"

Dave Killoran: "Hi Brit, Thanks for the reply! The first thing that jumps out at me is that if you are living at home for GW, then you won't be paying $308K. I would carefully consider those costs and how much you'd save, because every dollar you don't save is a dollar of debt you must pay off eventually.

However, given the size of your scholarship at William & Mary, even living at home won't bring GW down to that cost level. William & Mary is a great school, and you can see the USNews rankings support that and ATL actually puts it the highest ranked school (which means dollar for dollar they see it as the best of the 3). Given my own stated aversion to debt and your job preferences, debt management will be important and the costs here aren't even close: W&M is $85K less than the next school (which is ranked lower!). So, I see nothing here that would sway me from William & Mary. At $109K it's the best deal just on the numbers (that said, you have to determine if it's the best deal or not for you and your personal preferences).

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!"