Florida Coastal School of Law...should I go? (Jacksonville, University: lawyers, transfer) - (FL) - City-Data Forum

HoneyBeeMel · 03-14-2009, 01:28 PM

I was recently accepted to Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville.
It seems like a pretty good school that's located in an awesome city.

However, I've been doing some research on law student message boards, and I keep reading that the law school is not well respected in Florida at all...not even in Jacksonville.
Some people claim that it's difficult for Florida Coastal grads to find jobs in Jacksonville, because all the jobs go to the University of Florida and Florida State grads instead.

As residents of Jacksonville, I would like your take on the law school. Does it really have a bad rep in Jacksonville? Do you know of any successful lawyers within Jacksonville that graduated from Florida Coastal? How about the area the school is located in? Is it a good area? I do plan to research some more and visit the campus, but I would really love to hear what you all have to say!

Thank you!

projectmaximus · 03-14-2009, 04:19 PM

I have one friend who graduated from there last year. He just took the bar and will get his results soon. We'll see how he does in the job search...but other than that i dont know anything about the school's track record.

Univ of Florida's law school is quite reputable, so I'm sure FCSL pales in comparison. But that doesn't necessarily make it bad.

The campus area is very suburban and safe. I wish it had moved downtown like they originally wanted, but that's from my perspective of wanting downtown Jax to grow and flourish. From a student's standpoint, right now it's probably better where it is since downtown Jax still has a long way to go.

Just thought I'd offer those impressions. Sorry I can't be of much help.

Ryde41 · 03-14-2009, 05:42 PM

It has a good reputation here. My cousin graduated from there. He's working in Jacksonville. I've only heard good things about it. I read an article not too long ago about its history and it was a positive article.

Joe 4520832257 · 03-14-2009, 06:00 PM

Florida Coastal is a VERY new school. So it doesn't really have much of a reputation among employers the way that UF or FSU does. You also won't have a huge alumni network to use during your job search. Not many Coastal grads are going to be partner at firms yet. It's too new.

That being said, a couple of years ago, they had the highest bar pass rate in the entire state, even beating UF. That was a big feather in their cap.

If you can get into UF or FSU - go there. They have better reputations and they are insanely cheaper with in-state tuition. But if you are deciding between different private law schools with similar tuitions, I don't really have anything negative to say about Coastal. i doubt that - for example - Stetson's or UM's reputation is somehow going to get you a better job than Coastal.

HoneyBeeMel · 03-14-2009, 08:22 PM

Thanks so much for all of the advice, everyone! :-)

projectmaximus, what do you mean exactly when you say that downtown Jacksonville "still has a long way to go"? Also, keep me updated on your cousin! I would love to know if he passes the bar, and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for him!

I'm planning a visit during the first week of April. I'm going to tour the campus, and hopefully get to sit in on a class. I also wanted to drive around Jacksonville, because I've never been!

I would really apreciate any suggestions for places around the school and in downtown Jacksonville to visit. Is there any place I just HAVE to see before I leave?

Again, thanks to everyone for being so helpful.

HoneyBeeMel · 03-14-2009, 08:23 PM

Oops! Please excuse the typo in my previous post!
*appreciate, NOT apreciate! LOL

FLPL75 · 03-15-2009, 04:26 AM

HoneyBeeMe

I know 3 people that graduated from FCSL one is a neighbor who started his own firm the others are working in Jax
They were all were very pleased with the education they received.
The job situation may be determined by what area of law you decide to specialize in.

The school is located on the Southside which is a very safe area you will have lots of choices on places to live, shop and it is only about 15 to 20 mins to the beach.

Remember the old law School joke

The first year they scare you to death
The second year they work you to death
The third year they bore you to death

My nephew just graduated from FSU Law school in December he took the boards a few weeks ago
He was offered a job in January and stated the week after the boards. Now it is just the waiting game till he gets his results.

p.s. there is an edit feature, so you can go in and edit any typos in posts for I am thinking 90 mins
as the typo queen I use this feature a lot !!

HWILKINS · 03-15-2009, 05:20 PM

Congrats on being accepted to FCSL. My take on FCSL is that it is a very good school and I enjoyed my time there. I graduated in 2000 and I have been practicing in NJ since that time. I'm actually planning to move back to the jax area in a couple of months because I miss the Jax area. With regard to how FCSl ranks as compared to other schools I believe its on par with UF and the other law schools in FL. At the end of the day, you have to realize a future employer is not really going to consider what school you graduated from but whether you passed the bar and your licensed (especially, in FL)! My advice, would be to go to FCSL you will like it and the professors are great there as well. Good luck.

blakesq · 03-15-2009, 07:04 PM

My advice is to go to the best law school that you can get into. If it is Florida Coastal, then go there. if you get accepted to Harvard Law also, then go to Harvard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoneyBeeMel

I was recently accepted to Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville.
It seems like a pretty good school that's located in an awesome city.

However, I've been doing some research on law student message boards, and I keep reading that the law school is not well respected in Florida at all...not even in Jacksonville.
Some people claim that it's difficult for Florida Coastal grads to find jobs in Jacksonville, because all the jobs go to the University of Florida and Florida State grads instead.

As residents of Jacksonville, I would like your take on the law school. Does it really have a bad rep in Jacksonville? Do you know of any successful lawyers within Jacksonville that graduated from Florida Coastal? How about the area the school is located in? Is it a good area? I do plan to research some more and visit the campus, but I would really love to hear what you all have to say!

Thank you!

904jax · 03-15-2009, 07:41 PM

Florida Coastal Law School ("FCLS") is a relatively low ranked school (4th Tier). It has a large student body which floods the local market with newly minted J.D.'s. [SIZE=2]It is one for the few "for profit" law schools in the country (I am not sure if this bad or good). If you plan on transferring after the first year, you may want to check if the curriculum is compatible with other ABA schools. I have heard this may be an issue. [/SIZE]

Search - Law - Best Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report

The prior advice is correct: always go to the "best" highest ranked school that you get into.