Prospective Law Student to USD (San Diego, Laguna: lawyers, transferring to, best schools)

[Monster1776]

Greetings, I'm a 24 year old from the Midwest possibly looking to moving out to California to attend USD next year. Just wanted to ask opinions on what to expect in regards to what it'd be like to move out there. I've only made as far south as Laguna Beach but I'm in love with Southern California for obvious reasons and heard nothing but good things about San Diego so it seems like a dream come true; also should add that I do have a cousin and his wife living there. Thanks for any and all input/advice.

[USDefault]

Better think real hard about law school and the whopping $210,000 in debt (USD's own numbers) you are going to accrue. With 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, the hard facts are, we don't need any more lawyers in this country -- and most certainly not in California. Further, it's a horrible profession, unless you like fighting with liars and BS artists all day, while doing the most mind-numbing, time-wasting tasks imaginable. Bad debt + bad profession = why?

This may not be what you asked, but I am compelled to throw this marker down when I see prospective law students.

[hitman619]

Originally Posted by USDefault

Better think real hard about law school and the whopping $210,000 in debt (USD's own numbers) you are going to accrue. With 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, the hard facts are, we don't need any more lawyers in this country -- and most certainly not in California. Further, it's a horrible profession, unless you like fighting with liars and BS artists all day, while doing the most mind-numbing, time-wasting tasks imaginable. Bad debt + bad profession = why?

This may not be what you asked, but I am compelled to throw this marker down when I see prospective law students.

Damn Deafault!
Way to keep it real

[Monster1776]

Originally Posted by USDefault

Better think real hard about law school and the whopping $210,000 in debt (USD's own numbers) you are going to accrue. With 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, the hard facts are, we don't need any more lawyers in this country -- and most certainly not in California. Further, it's a horrible profession, unless you like fighting with liars and BS artists all day, while doing the most mind-numbing, time-wasting tasks imaginable. Bad debt + bad profession = why?

This may not be what you asked, but I am compelled to throw this marker down when I see prospective law students.

They offered a sizable scholarship so the tuition isn't a concern. As for the profession itself I have rather safe job security in the state I'm coming from when I graduate. I appreciate the insight and warning about going down this road but it's something I've already heard and have considered.

[LuvSouthOC]

Lawyers in California are a hungry lot. There are many of us.

[ucctgg]

Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC

Lawyers in California are a hungry lot. There are many of us.

He stated that he was not going to practice in California.

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by ucctgg

He stated that he was not going to practice in California.

The California Bar Exam is hard. Ok, so he won't have to take it. Then why would anyone not planning on practicing here study here when California does not have the best schools compared to other places? Sure, USD is pretty good, but not fantastic.

Add to that the fact that California forces the student to learn community property, etc., which is useless in state like New Jersey.

[Monster1776]

Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC

The California Bar Exam is hard. Ok, so he won't have to take it. Then why would anyone not planning on practicing here study here when California does not have the best schools compared to other places? Sure, USD is pretty good, but not fantastic.

Add to that the fact that California forces the student to learn community property, etc., which is useless in state like New Jersey.

To be honest I'm looking at it in two ways, 1) As a twenty something I think it would be nice to study law for 3 years in a place like California since I don't think I'll have much of an opportunity to live outside the Midwest if I take the secure job I have there. 2) While I'm primarily going through law school just for the license to practice since I feel secure in my job opportunities once I get out, I am interested in possibly transferring to USC or Stanford after a year and think they would look positively on the fact I already took the initiative to move out West.

Way I see it Midwest Pros:

• Consolidate future I already have here.
  Live comfortably and not worry about being frugal.
  Probably a better environment to do better grade wise.
  Saves up more money to potentially transfer to T14 school which would require much more money.

Cons:

• Weather.
  Location.
  Most likely going to be stuck here for the foreseeable future.

San Diego Pros:

• Location.
  Weather.
  Probably better opportunity to transfer into other California law schools that interest me.

Cons:

• Much higher living expenses and would need to budget more tightly.

[LuvSouthOC]

USD is the best law school in San Diego unless, of course, things have changed and I am unaware. I rented my PB unit to USD law students for years and they all mentioned USD was the best school on offer in SD too.

Why would you transfer to another school? If you are really wanting to transfer, I recommend you look at LA schools from the get go. If your LSAT score is good enough for USD, shop around.

I agree on the weather.

[hitman619]

Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC

USD is the best law school in San Diego unless, of course, things have changed and I am unaware. I rented my PB unit to USD law students for years and they all mentioned USD was the best school on offer in SD too.

Why would you transfer to another school? If you are really wanting to transfer, I recommend you look at LA schools from the get go. If your LSAT score is good enough for USD, shop around.

I agree on the weather.

My Question also would Be, would any of the big LA Schools offer him full ride Scholarships?