mdalju (2022-2023)

What made you pick CW over TJ? I'm having a dilemma choosing between the two schools and keep going back and forth.

I'm going to the up coming scholars days - at the end of this week. What bad stuff did you hear about TJ (aside from their poor passage rates)? I found that CWSL students vent thing months ago and it really scared me. I also contacted random student at both TJ and CW on myspace and got all positive feedback from TJ and mixed responses from CW. Thanks for the info about TJ.

Cal Western encouraged me to apply to a specific scholarship. I applied and got a 1/2 tuition scholarship. They then invited me to a Scholar's Day and paid for my hotel for two night and re-imbursed my mileage. Although I'd already visited, that special day was very powerful. I met personable and passionate members of the faculty and learned about the special programs and opportunities Cal Western has. In that regard, Thomas Jefferson, just can't compete. I was a little concerned about Cal Western's attrition rate. Yes, people do flunk out. But, I was assured that those who do, just don't study and put the time in. I do believe that some people just aren't meant for law school and know that some people party too much and don't study. Honestly, I don't want those people graduating from my law school and then taking the California Bar and failing it. That just hurts a school to have people take the bar and not pass. I do understand the logic of cutting out the bottom for the benefit of the rest of the school. Had I been accepted at UOP, I would have had a hard decision. I was actually really happy (when I FINALLY) got my rejection from them. It made my decision much easier. I've heard of school's matching scholarships at other schools. I would bet that if you called the Director of Admissions at Cal Western and told her your dilemma, she would match the money UOP offered and even maybe beat it. I know its a tough call. My brother told me to go to the school that I thought would give me the "best experience". "Rankings are just for Dad", he said. I've tried to stick to that as much as possible because when we get out we'll either have an excellent experience, an ok experience, or a crappy experience. I think I'll have an excellent experience at Cal Western. Feel free to e-mail me to aim me if you want to also.

Final comments: I ended up going to McGeorge (univ. of the pacific) because they offered me a better scholarship, and also because I was very impressed by the staff and the campus during my initial visit. Its the third week into school, and so far McGeorge has met all of my expectations of the specific school and also of law school in general.