same as Xanga, for those who read both
And the verdict is *almost* in...
I know I haven't written much about my law school search, and that was on purpose. I just didn't want to make public the craziness and my various offers and where I decided to visit and such. But I will comment a little bit now about the two schools I'm deciding between for my final decision.
The past two weekends have found me at Penn State Dickinson and Rutgers - Camden. My main lesson learned - I'm never flying United Air again. I won't go into that experience publicly, but I'm still recovering and still quite upset at them.
A small breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of both schools:
Penn State Dickinson, Carlisle campus:
small town, safety isn't an issue
strong International Law program
listens to student input
faculty seems strong and they are pulling in more and more top-notch scholars
study abroad programs
multiple exchange programs
top-notch technology in classroom
does not have ready access to the resources of a large school campus
would be in the transitional space for half of my law school education
lots of placement opportunities within Harrisburg and DC
Rutgers - Camden:
great faculty, though strengths in different areas than my current interests
the school doesn't have a study abroad program, though it's still possible to do through other area schools
lots of opportunities for pro bono work
area not as safe, but its workable
lots to do because of location near Philly and not too far from NYC
new building will be open by fall
nice campus, though parking is a bit of a hike
top placement in judicial clerkships
has both district court and federal appeals court within walking distance of campus and open to students to sit in on trials
very well known within the New Jersey/Philly area
Both schools have great students, lots of clinical opportunities and student orgs, and much to offer me as a student. Both have comparable alumni networks outside of the areas where the school has its main connections. Rutgers would cost more for living expenses and for the first year before I was able to obtain in-state tuition, but would be about the same for the last two years tuition wise. I could be happy at either school, though I would end up different at the end of the three years, possibly heading a different direction within the law, or at least looking to live an work in different areas. One I would remain more of a small-town girl, the other would make me much more of the city-girl I used to be before moving to the midwest. I've met people at both visitations that I would like to see again. I will have new facilities at both schools for at least part of my time there, though I like the transitional space at Penn State well enough that it doesn't bother me to be there for the first half of my legal education. Both are ranked identically at this point by U.S. News and World Report. Both have close-knit student bodies, that are close in size. I could see myself excelling at either campus easily.
At first this stressed me out, as the similarities make it very difficult to choose. I mean, it's not as if one is band and the other is good, or that one is better and the other best. It's more like comparing an apple and an orange - both are good for you, but in slightly different ways, and I have to figure out which one I want more.It helped that Steven, the guy I met right off at Rutgers because we both sat at the table nearest the food and were both exploring alone so we ended up hanging out all day, reminded me that the position I'm in isn't a negative one - I know, most of you have been telling me that, but it finally clicked then - that I have two great schools to choose from and that there isn't a wrong decision. I finally get it. It doesn't make the decision easy, but it takes some of the stress away. Who I end up becoming and what path I choose after law school will be partially shaped by the school I choose, yes, but choosing one school over the other won't be a mistake. It's just a fork in the road, and i have to decide based on what I know, and then not look back. And it's a decision I will make this week, as deposits are due. Then I send "no, thanks" letters to the rest of my schools - including Dayton, who must have lost my app cause I still haven't heard from them - and focus on my thesis.
To that end I think I will buy a parking pass and opt to spend every weekend evening cept for Wed at WSU from now on. I can use the exercise facilities since I'm technically a student again, then spend time reading my cases and writing my paper. The weekends I will spend at the apartment cleaning and hanging out with friends, either online, via phone or in person, depending on what's happening at the time. Come mid-June, my Master's will be done and I will spend the summer sorting through everything I own to par it down before I move out of state, because that at least is certain - I am leaving Ohio at the end of July.
I know I haven't written much about my law school search, and that was on purpose. I just didn't want to make public the craziness and my various offers and where I decided to visit and such. But I will comment a little bit now about the two schools I'm deciding between for my final decision.
The past two weekends have found me at Penn State Dickinson and Rutgers - Camden. My main lesson learned - I'm never flying United Air again. I won't go into that experience publicly, but I'm still recovering and still quite upset at them.
A small breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of both schools:
Penn State Dickinson, Carlisle campus:
small town, safety isn't an issue
strong International Law program
listens to student input
faculty seems strong and they are pulling in more and more top-notch scholars
study abroad programs
multiple exchange programs
top-notch technology in classroom
does not have ready access to the resources of a large school campus
would be in the transitional space for half of my law school education
lots of placement opportunities within Harrisburg and DC
Rutgers - Camden:
great faculty, though strengths in different areas than my current interests
the school doesn't have a study abroad program, though it's still possible to do through other area schools
lots of opportunities for pro bono work
area not as safe, but its workable
lots to do because of location near Philly and not too far from NYC
new building will be open by fall
nice campus, though parking is a bit of a hike
top placement in judicial clerkships
has both district court and federal appeals court within walking distance of campus and open to students to sit in on trials
very well known within the New Jersey/Philly area
Both schools have great students, lots of clinical opportunities and student orgs, and much to offer me as a student. Both have comparable alumni networks outside of the areas where the school has its main connections. Rutgers would cost more for living expenses and for the first year before I was able to obtain in-state tuition, but would be about the same for the last two years tuition wise. I could be happy at either school, though I would end up different at the end of the three years, possibly heading a different direction within the law, or at least looking to live an work in different areas. One I would remain more of a small-town girl, the other would make me much more of the city-girl I used to be before moving to the midwest. I've met people at both visitations that I would like to see again. I will have new facilities at both schools for at least part of my time there, though I like the transitional space at Penn State well enough that it doesn't bother me to be there for the first half of my legal education. Both are ranked identically at this point by U.S. News and World Report. Both have close-knit student bodies, that are close in size. I could see myself excelling at either campus easily.
At first this stressed me out, as the similarities make it very difficult to choose. I mean, it's not as if one is band and the other is good, or that one is better and the other best. It's more like comparing an apple and an orange - both are good for you, but in slightly different ways, and I have to figure out which one I want more.It helped that Steven, the guy I met right off at Rutgers because we both sat at the table nearest the food and were both exploring alone so we ended up hanging out all day, reminded me that the position I'm in isn't a negative one - I know, most of you have been telling me that, but it finally clicked then - that I have two great schools to choose from and that there isn't a wrong decision. I finally get it. It doesn't make the decision easy, but it takes some of the stress away. Who I end up becoming and what path I choose after law school will be partially shaped by the school I choose, yes, but choosing one school over the other won't be a mistake. It's just a fork in the road, and i have to decide based on what I know, and then not look back. And it's a decision I will make this week, as deposits are due. Then I send "no, thanks" letters to the rest of my schools - including Dayton, who must have lost my app cause I still haven't heard from them - and focus on my thesis.
To that end I think I will buy a parking pass and opt to spend every weekend evening cept for Wed at WSU from now on. I can use the exercise facilities since I'm technically a student again, then spend time reading my cases and writing my paper. The weekends I will spend at the apartment cleaning and hanging out with friends, either online, via phone or in person, depending on what's happening at the time. Come mid-June, my Master's will be done and I will spend the summer sorting through everything I own to par it down before I move out of state, because that at least is certain - I am leaving Ohio at the end of July.