Good schools in the South?

[SteelyDan]

I was looking at maybe going to school in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, or Misouri. What's good down there? I don't mean top 1%, just good in general. Anyone known anyone whose gone to a school in those states?

[Joker]

FWIW, Bama is a good school, but Tuscaloosa's pretty much a sh!t-hole.

[Anne]

You've got a lot of options in those states, Steely. In Florida alone you've got 11 schools. Were you looking for anything in particular?

[Confused]

How did Missouri sneak into the South?

[widespreadLSATpanic]

Athens (UGA) and Gainesville (UF) are both solid college towns. Looking at my profile name, you might guess that I'm partial to Athens. 


Personally, Missouri sounds miserable.

[SteelyDan]

How did Missouri sneak into the South?

It's below the state where I live, therefore, it is in the South. 

[SteelyDan]

I should have clarified, though, I'm looking at schools MOSTLY in the South, and then Misouri b/c I have family there and wouldn't mind a home-cooked meal every once in a while.

[SteelyDan]

You've got a lot of options in those states, Steely. In Florida alone you've got 11 schools. Were you looking for anything in particular?

Not looking for anything in particular, just seeing what's good out there. There's a lot of schools down there, and the options can get confusing.

[LSAT Eliminator]

Duke and Vanderbilt are probably the two best schools in the south, followed by Emory and UNC. But only Emory is in your list of states.

[Anne]

Well, to get you started, here are the ABA-approved schools in each state:

FLORIDA
 Ave Maria School of Law   
 Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law   
 Florida A&M University College of Law   
 Florida Coastal School of Law   
 University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law   
 Florida International University College of Law   
 The Florida State University College of Law   
 University of Miami School of Law   
 Nova Southeastern University—Shepard Broad Law Center
 St. Thomas University School of Law   
 Stetson University College of Law

GEORGIA
 Atlanta's John Marshall Law School   
 Emory University School of Law      
 University of Georgia School of Law   
 Georgia State University College of Law   
 Mercer University—Walter F. George School of Law

ALABAMA
 The University of Alabama School of Law   
 Faulkner University, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law   
 Samford University, Cumberland School of Law

MISSOURI
 University of Missouri School of Law   
 University of Missouri—Kansas City School of Law   
 Saint Louis University School of Law   
 Washington University School of Law

Have you heard of any those, done any research on any, or know anyone that's attended any of them? Also, have you thought about where you want to practice (and is that even a factor for you)? The other piece of advice I would also give you would be to stick to these schools--don't go for any non-ABA schools. ABA approval is key to keep the mobility in your degree.

[Anne]

Duke and Vanderbilt are probably the two best schools in the south, followed by Emory and UNC. But only Emory is in your list of states.

Duke and Vanderbilt are definitely awesome schools, as are Emory and UNC -- and all of them have gorgeous campuses to boot. Duke and UNC are in North Carolina, Vanderbilt is in Tennessee, and Emory (as you can see above) is in Georgia. Eliminator brings up a good point, Steely.

[SteelyDan]

Okay, so Duke, Vanderbilt, Emory, UNC. Which ones are the best schools out of the ones you listed, Anne? I mean, which ones will actually help me get a job once I graduate?

[Anne]

Okay, so Duke, Vanderbilt, Emory, UNC. Which ones are the best schools out of the ones you listed, Anne? I mean, which ones will actually help me get a job once I graduate?

UGA and Alabama are both great schools with great reputations. They're both awesome if you're looking to stay in the Southeast and the South--their reputation will definitely help you, as well as the alumni network. If you're looking for a more "national" reach, where people will always recognize your school, then Duke, Vanderbilt, Emory, and UNC are really your best options. Have you thought about where you might want to practice? I ask because, for example, if you wanted to live and work in Florida, then many of the FL schools are great and get great recognition within the state. Same with Missouri. Is practice region something you've thought about?

[SteelyDan]

I mean, not really. I guess I didn't think that practice region was something I should be thinking about already. Why, does that affect where I should apply?

[Anne]

I mean, not really. I guess I didn't think that practice region was something I should be thinking about already. Why, does that affect where I should apply?

It does when you're deciding to apply to schools with less of a "national" reach. I don't usually like bringing in rankings (I think that people should make up their mind on where to go based on the school, the campus, the visit, the city the school is in, and the people they meet), but it can be a pretty useful indicator of which schools are going to get your foot in the door with firms all over the country, and which ones you'll do the best in-state or within the region of the country they're located in. Typically, the lower a school is ranked, the more "regional" it becomes. That's why thinking about where you might want to practice is important.

For example, if you really wanted to practice in North Carolina, but didn't have the grades or LSAT to get into Duke or UNC, you might be able to get into Campbell or NC Central and be able to secure work just fine within the state. It's a matter of knowing where your chances are great, and if you know where you want to practice your options can expand.