bebebird (2022-2023)

Wow, we have similar offers. I am leaving to go visit all of these places tomorrow, so I should probably tell what I think after that, because right now there are no frontrunners. Generally, I think Rutgers and Seton Hall are a step up from the other two, but I've seen rankings that suggest that Hofstra is not far behind (considering their offer, I really need to take a close look at them), and NYLS is supposed to be moving up into the us news top 100 with their new building, and having attracted more good students. Check out these rankings, which take most of the US news criteria, but leave certain things he doesn't agree with out: <a href="http://www.elsblog.org/the_empirical_legal_studi/files/the_us_news_and_world_report_rankings_without_the_clutter.pdf" title="http://www.elsblog.org/the_empirical_legal_studi/files/the_us_news_and_world_report_rankings_without_the_clutter.pdf" class="data">http://www.elsblog.org/the_empirical_legal_studi/files/the_us_news_and_world_report_rankings_without_the_clutter.pdf</a> I am interested in real estate and municipal zoning/taxation law, and all of these schools are good for this. It's a tough call!

Wow, we have similar offers. I am leaving to go visit all of these places tomorrow, so I should probably tell what I think after that, because right now there are no frontrunners. Generally, I think Rutgers and Seton Hall are a step up from the other two, but I've seen rankings that suggest that Hofstra is not far behind (considering their offer, I really need to take a close look at them), and NYLS is supposed to be moving up into the us news top 100 with their new building, and having attracted more good students. Check out these rankings, which take most of the US news criteria, but leave certain things he doesn't agree with out: <a href="http://www.elsblog.org/the_empirical_legal_studi/files/the_us_news_and_world_report_rankings_without_the_clutter.pdf" title="http://www.elsblog.org/the_empirical_legal_studi/files/the_us_news_and_world_report_rankings_without_the_clutter.pdf" class="data">http://www.elsblog.org/the_empirical_legal_studi/files/the_us_news_and_world_report_rankings_without_the_clutter.pdf</a> I am interested in real estate and municipal zoning/taxation law, and all of these schools are good for this. It's a tough call!

By all accounts, that city is getting better (perhaps my standards are warped, coming from Detroit, home of the slowest-moving urban revival ever). And to be 20 minutes from Manhattan will be worth it. I'll be in downtown Newark for a few days, and I'll let you know how it looks. Sorry for somehow double-posting my last comment and wrecking your comment board.

So I toured Seton Hall and talked to an admissions counselor today (they are on break, so no class visit), and I talked to several people and went to class at Rugers. First off, downtown Newark isn't full of yuppies and fancy shopping, but what you get is actually pretty good. Seton Hall is indeed by the train station and several buildings containing law offices. Rutgers is more vibrant because of the other campuses nearby and all the businesses and culture in the neighborhood. There are several affordable food markets, pizza places, and at least a couple bars near Rutgers. There are also a few nicer restaurants. There are some nice brownstone apartments around Rutgers, but they have on-campus housing at slighly below market rate available. Both have great facilities. Both are newer post-modern designs. Wireless is everywhere, and both of them have three-story libraries that look great for studying. The Rutgers library has nice views of the Newark, but Seton Hall has a reading room overlooking the Passaic and the Manhattan skyline--something I could get used to! You should really see them for yourself, but trust me, they are both great, and Newark is definitely livable and headed in the right direction. Email me if you like, but more importantly, you should email Anita Walton (in admissions) at Rutgers. Apparently New Jersey has the loosest-possible residency laws, and she told me that the school will adjust your tuition for your first year to instate rates (19-20k) if you sign a 12-month lease (you need to have one year of residency in NJ to get the rates, but they'll get it to you since you signed a 12-mo lease) in their graduate housing dorms, which I think look pretty darn nice (and have good views). I thought that was big news. ...off to Hofstra tomorrow.

Hofstra seemed pretty legit academically, although the administration didn't do anything to impress me while I was there. The student body is about what you would expect. I think the opportunity to do well and get a solid NYC job is definitely there. The living situation there is very suspect. You either pay 4-6k per semester to live on campus (they say it will be going up), which is more than 12 months at a nice high-rise dorm at Rutgers, or you commute. The neighborhood around Hofstra is a WWII-era suburb...not very impressive. To get a good rental you have to live towards the city or in another town, and most students there seemed to have cars. When time is money with all the studying, I doubt a commute would be a good thing. So, it seems like an inconvenient place, but the students there are nice and the academics are solid. Fordham is...everything it's built up to be. I was very impressed that they have JDs, who have largely already had jobs at firms/the gov., working in their career ctr to hook you up. It has an amazing location one block from central park. The admissions person I talked to doesn't like our chances w/ our LSAT scores, but she said that if we still have a strong desire to go we can send admissions an email asking to be reconsidered for the evening program (avg. LSAT is 163) if we get waitlisted or denied. NYLS is really distinctive. It's in a few different buildings and multiple floors on two city blocks in really dense, cool spot. It has a pretty big student body that seems to be full of people similar to Hofstra students. The class I attended was interesting, and the students seemed pretty nice. They are building a large new building to be done by our second semester, and it's supposed to be great, and maybe even make their ranking go up. Cost of living for both of those neighborhoods is crazy; both schools offer student housing (limited amount) for a bit below market rate, but to save money you need to find a roommate and/or live in an apartment that is a short commute i.e. another manhattan neighborhood, brooklyn, or Jersey City. The subways help a ton.

I think they have similar respect levels. I get the sense that Hofstra feeds major law firms well, and NYLS can and does, but a lot of NYLS students are interested in public interest and politics. What I'm going to do is look through the webpages of various NY law firms and see how many partners come from these schools. I'll also look up newspaper articles and law journal clippings to see how prominent each of these schools are. The published research from NYLS seems particularly heavy, and they have a prof. who is Pres. of the ALCU (Strossen). So I will look all that up, but my initial response is to say that a school in Manhattan is really close to big law, government, and tons of different groups who you would want to work for in the summers, and maybe in your career. It would be easy to do interviews and then actually go to your job once you get it if you're already set up in the City. Best of luck and let me know as you narrow things down/make a decision.

Still waiting...I don't know?? Call them and let me know what they said..

No, have not received a response. Congrats on all your acceptances too! Actually, I attended DePaul for 2 years of undergrad, and was recently in Chicago and visited the law school. Seems good. Wisdom to your decision making process...

I received a letter in the mail, a couple of days ago, saying that they want to put me on their waiting list. Kinda sucks but hey, still have a shot! Good luck on your cycle!

Yeah, I want to visit them soon too. Let me know how it is. -=]

Have you found some frontrunners yet? I hope Fordham and Brooklyn work out for you.

Well make the most of your visits. The new ratings that were leaked show that SH went up a bit, and Rutgers stayed put. I think Rutgers still has a marginal edge for respect in NY. Let me know what you think after your visits.

I haven't heard anything negative about the school's location or facilities - they look great to me. I just heard some things about difficulties scheduling meetings with the administration or getting time with the professors. I haven't heard too many negatives about NYLS, except for the facilities, but every person who complains on a site about the facilities throws a disclaimer about how the new building looks incredible. I'm skeptical that BLS will give me even a dime to attend there, so I think you'll be seeing me at NYLS. Are you leaning towards a school? Seton Hall is compelling..

Thanks for the congrats! And are you leaning towards any school yet?

Cool! Let me know how these visits go, I haven't actually been to any of the schools yet..

Awesome, it's good to hear those positives. I wish I could've gone but I'm wrapping up my job in St Louis so the timing didn't work. As for living, I'd recommend Brooklyn. It's cheaper and would is still only about 20-30 mins away from the school, in parts. I'm thinking Clinton Hill, but I don't know if you're from a city/suburbs/rural area, so maybe it'd be a little rough for your tastes. I'm shooting for 3 roommates and a 4BR/$3000 per month place. We'll see what happens when the roommate request form comes back. Did you fill that thing out?

How were your visits? Do you have a favorite?

Yeah, you're right.. nothing on the housing front until the 2nd deposit is in their hands. In a momentary lapse of coolness, I sent the form in earlier than it was required. Shhh don't tell anybody though ;)

I totally get your logic. I was really feeling NYLS when I was there and thought it would be an awesome place to be. I also think their degree will gain value because they will become top-100 soon. And yeah, when I came back to Newark after Manhattan, it felt a little lackluster, but I'm just telling myself that I'll put off NYC until I have the income to support living there. But you are making a solid choice. Congrats! and enjoy NYC if you do move there.

and good luck with 'Dozo/Brooklyn! Tons of respect for those schools, and they're great place to live.

I share all the concerns you brought up. I think the offer only makes sense if you desperately want to go there and you believe it offers you unique opportunities you will not be able to get anywhere else. That is not the case for me and is why I decided to turn it down. BLS is a fine school with a fine reputation. But I do not consider it to be so quantitatively better (bar passage rate, average starting salaries) than other schools I was accepted to (specifically NYL) that it is worth paying full boat for with no guarantees that I will be able to graduate in 3 years. That was my thinking, but I am no expert. Good luck with your decision!

Hey, tough decision ahead of you...here is some information that might make in easier or more tough. I talked to the admissions people, specifically Alana Mitnik (sp?), She said that 90 percent of people who requested transfers after their first semester were transfered, and many of those who were denied were denied because of not meeting the transfer criteria. So it seems like a pretty sure thing, if you maintain good academic standing, if that is your main worry. I also believe you do not have to take summer courses to graduate in three years, but you have to hussle your second or third year when taking an extra one or two classes. My question was how does the pt program effect your transfer to NYU or Columbia? Do you get enough credits to do so. Cause if I do stellar in my first year I will definitely consider transferring.

i'm not sure if i already replied, but my cardozo acceptance was for the full-time program. good luck on your apps!

Congratulations on all of your acceptances and scholarships. I was wondering where you decided to go and what you thought of Hofstra vs NYLS?