Michigan Law
Feb. 26th, 2003 09:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vicarzBoring law school stuff - feel extra free to skip
I appreciate your response.
My issues are pretty simple to communicate, and I'll take advantage of this email forum to do that as my working hours are currently rather hectic.
Michigan is by far the highest ranking law school that has admitted me for the 2003-4 academic year. While I am honored by that opportunity, I am most likely going to turn it down. I haven’t yet solidified my decision, but I’m running out of time to consider it further and I keep coming to the same basic conclusions.
I wanted to take a moment to explain what I’m thinking about as I go through this process in case the unusual provision of information helps you at all in your admissions process in the future. I didn’t want to simply let my decision be a check-box that someone would record.
I applied to Michigan after being solicited through the mail when my LSAT scores were published. I was offered the opportunity to apply with the admission fee waived, and given the school’s reputation I didn’t hesitate to do just that. Michigan has a good reputation not only as one of the top ten law schools in the country, but also for their current political stances as well. The school is already known to have some liberal leanings, views I tend to share. I see the institution taking a beating in the courts and in the press at the moment over the affirmative action issue. I have tremendous respect for those at the school who are engaged in this protracted and difficult process. The fact that the school has ‘stuck to their guns’ on this important issue has had a strong influence on my desire to go. I’ve also been receiving mailings from the school on practically a daily basis, encouraging me through the attention I’m receiving and the information that is conveyed about the school, campus, surrounding area, and organizations that call the University of Michigan their home.
Another amusing reason I consider Michigan is the universal reaction I get when I discuss my situation with attorneys from the Federal and private sector, current law school students, and prospective students. Virtually all I have spoken to have said in effect that “I’d be nuts not to go.” It seems that even anecdotally the profession holds Michigan in high regard!
My other top choice for law school is George Mason University. It just so happens that they also fare well in the rankings, have low tuition rates of less than $10,000 per year, are about 4 miles from my current residence, and have strong employment ties in the DC area. The downsides with GMU are their overall lower ranking, and famously conservative slant in both their political stances and teaching emphases.
Unfortunately, if I wind up choosing not to go, it will be for some very immediate and practical reasons. If I am able to churn up the finances, I will most likely go to Michigan. The more likely scenario is that I will go to GMU simply because I am able to go there part-time and maintain my current Federal employment while I pursue my degree. I’ve been in the Federal sector for over eight years now, and my opportunity cost alone for not working during 3 years of law school edges precariously close to a quarter of a million dollars. Money is not synonymous with happiness, nor is it my driving force – but there is a point at which I have to bow to its significance.
I’m sure my views and situation are unusual, but I wanted to communicate them to you and let you know what sort of information was being successfully disseminated to prospective students, and at least in this case what factors were going into the decision making process. I hope you find some use for this information in your processes.
Thank you for your time and attention,
José Calvo
I appreciate your response.
My issues are pretty simple to communicate, and I'll take advantage of this email forum to do that as my working hours are currently rather hectic.
Michigan is by far the highest ranking law school that has admitted me for the 2003-4 academic year. While I am honored by that opportunity, I am most likely going to turn it down. I haven’t yet solidified my decision, but I’m running out of time to consider it further and I keep coming to the same basic conclusions.
I wanted to take a moment to explain what I’m thinking about as I go through this process in case the unusual provision of information helps you at all in your admissions process in the future. I didn’t want to simply let my decision be a check-box that someone would record.
I applied to Michigan after being solicited through the mail when my LSAT scores were published. I was offered the opportunity to apply with the admission fee waived, and given the school’s reputation I didn’t hesitate to do just that. Michigan has a good reputation not only as one of the top ten law schools in the country, but also for their current political stances as well. The school is already known to have some liberal leanings, views I tend to share. I see the institution taking a beating in the courts and in the press at the moment over the affirmative action issue. I have tremendous respect for those at the school who are engaged in this protracted and difficult process. The fact that the school has ‘stuck to their guns’ on this important issue has had a strong influence on my desire to go. I’ve also been receiving mailings from the school on practically a daily basis, encouraging me through the attention I’m receiving and the information that is conveyed about the school, campus, surrounding area, and organizations that call the University of Michigan their home.
Another amusing reason I consider Michigan is the universal reaction I get when I discuss my situation with attorneys from the Federal and private sector, current law school students, and prospective students. Virtually all I have spoken to have said in effect that “I’d be nuts not to go.” It seems that even anecdotally the profession holds Michigan in high regard!
My other top choice for law school is George Mason University. It just so happens that they also fare well in the rankings, have low tuition rates of less than $10,000 per year, are about 4 miles from my current residence, and have strong employment ties in the DC area. The downsides with GMU are their overall lower ranking, and famously conservative slant in both their political stances and teaching emphases.
Unfortunately, if I wind up choosing not to go, it will be for some very immediate and practical reasons. If I am able to churn up the finances, I will most likely go to Michigan. The more likely scenario is that I will go to GMU simply because I am able to go there part-time and maintain my current Federal employment while I pursue my degree. I’ve been in the Federal sector for over eight years now, and my opportunity cost alone for not working during 3 years of law school edges precariously close to a quarter of a million dollars. Money is not synonymous with happiness, nor is it my driving force – but there is a point at which I have to bow to its significance.
I’m sure my views and situation are unusual, but I wanted to communicate them to you and let you know what sort of information was being successfully disseminated to prospective students, and at least in this case what factors were going into the decision making process. I hope you find some use for this information in your processes.
Thank you for your time and attention,
José Calvo
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Hope this helps
Date: 2003-02-26 09:19 am (UTC)Well, I'm sure you've already done this - but it seems that Michigan is working hard at recruiting you, so make sure that you mention your monetary concerns to as many people as possible there - and in as many forms (email, mail, telephone) so that they have the opportunity to help out wherever they can. Also talk to your HR about possible opportunities for transfer in Michigan. I know that when I was at the Securities and Exchange Commission, there were SEC lawyers all over the country. I work for a DoJ contractor now, but am a few steps removed from the lawyers. Speaking of which - where exactly do you work. I may be moving to an office downtown that has lots of DoJ offices in it.
Okay...so I've wondered this, and haven't asked before - what kind of law are you planning on persuing?
So I doubt I've helped with your decision, but good luck.
-david
Re: Hope this helps
Date: 2003-02-26 09:27 am (UTC)Seriously, um I dunno...From my gummint work I have an extensive background in employment law, and regulatory law as well.
The worst thing is I CAN afford to go there. I have liquid and investment assets I can draw on if need be. I just hate the idea of blowing it all when I already have a MA degree and a good career. The law degree is basically gravy.
In that lottery winner scenario, I work for free for the ACLU. The more likely situation is working as a government lawyer or in a small firm that doesn't ask their people to slave away for 80 hours or more a week.
Re: Hope this helps
Date: 2003-02-26 09:43 am (UTC)Wait...its coming back to me. You were at the DoL, weren't you? Wow, old, old psychoburbia conversation flashback.
Re: Hope this helps
Date: 2003-02-26 09:51 am (UTC)