Law School Brag

[Rigel]

[ QUOTE ]

i generally agree, but let me give a couple sentences of counterpoint. i have literally sat in hiring meetings with my colleagues and looked at applicants who were top 5 in their class at a 40-70 school, and the question that always comes up is "why didn't they go to [insert random top tier school in the same state]?" At least where I work, middle of the road at a top 20 will get you more looks than top 5 at a middling school. but yes law school on top of the mountain is fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

If your goal in life is to go to a big law firm (i.e. you place money and prestige over having any quality of life) then maybe the better school is the right choice. But I tried the big firm life and absolutely hated it, so make sure that's really what you want to do. So many law students blindly chase "prestige" like salmon swimming upstream without considering what kind of life (or lack thereof) they will have a big firm.

I got lucky- I was able to ditch my big firm gig for a career federal clerkship - so I speak from the perspective of someone looking to avoid big firm life. But I know a lot of law students still want the big firms, and if that's the case, then yes- your chances are better if you go to a top school.