OP you are getting pushback because your question "which schools should she shoot for?" is very, very broad. You have given the impression that your DD is using DCUM (via you, her parent) to do even the most preliminary research for her. Landing the helicopter doesn't just mean letting her make the choice, it means letting her take over this process. |
| No law school. I did not pay off my student loans after 20 years of payments. I finally gave up and used my home equity at age 46. I shudder to imagine what my 401k would look like, the millions I might have, if I put all that cash into my 401k instead of loan repayments. For most, becoming a lawyer is like chasing a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. But they never make it. |
There's no money for law school. If she might borrow a F ton of money, her parents should absolutely give guidance. To fail to do so would be ignorant. |
I am 60 and I am still paying my law school student loans and I have graduated from top 50 law school. |
| Thanks for all the advice so far! |
Top 50?!!! There's the first 14. The next 10 or so and then the rest may as well be 3rd tier. |
Agree with PP. Also, her working while going to school is not revolutionary. Nor does it mean she's "managing on her own" - do you pay her cell bill? Do you pay for other incidentals? |
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I’m a lawyer pushing 50 who lives and works in Dcumlandia. I routinely advise kids considering law school. FWIW:
1. Where does your kid claim residency? Apply to any law school where in-state tuition is an option. (Tell me the state, and I’ll give you my two cents.) 2. Where does your kid ultimately want to work? What state? If they are aiming for NY or CA, they might want to go to school there. Sometimes it helps with the bar. 3. What do they want to do? If they are willing to sell their soul to big law, then aim for a top 10 school. If they want to do social justice work, school rank doesn’t matter as much (their grades and networking/internships during law school matter more). Certain fellowships are useful. Do they want to be a fed? School doesn’t matter as much. If they don’t know what they want to do, they probably should not bother with law school unless they get a full ride or can easily commute to state school with merit aid. Truly. Note: some guidance changes if your kid isn’t white. Diversity applicants have more wiggle room in terms of resume when firms and Feds are hiring diverse candidates. |
| PP does not work in Biglaw. |
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Just went through this, my thoughts
172 isn’t as great as it used to be. Might get some merit from bottom of Top 14 but probably not a lot She will get a lot of $ from lower ranked schools. I would tell her to go to the one she likes most that gives the most $ The same people grousing about you helping your kid are probably the same ones who fault kids that end up with $200k in student loan debt. Ignore them and help your kid as much as she welcomes Go to r/lawschooladmissions on Reddit and get great, comprehensive and sympathetic advice there. Don’t expect any helpful info on this forum |
You don’t sound very aware of different cultures. It’s kind of gross the way you are speaking. These can very much be family decisions with pooled family resources at stake. |
Why don’t you focus on your dang kid. -np |
| Because this generation of immature adults is causing ripple effects for whole society. They are not being allowed to grow up or feel that they have competence to handle things themselves without mommy’s help. This is partially fueling a mental health crisis. It’s shocking how much things have changed in one generation. |
Again, just focus on your kid. Who says your kid is any better? |
Whoosh. This type of helicopter parenting affects us all. |