Stop the madness!
Of course, there's nearly nothing in the article about whether there's actually room in the market for another law school. It's mostly about real estate value and what a bunch of students spending loan money can do for the area. There is this statement:
Kaplan's backers argue that it offers important opportunities for low-income students. Washington is already home to law schools run by American University, Catholic University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia.Unless they are charging a buck for law school--I find this to be a lie, a farce, a major misrepresentation.
There was a link in that blurb... "argue" which I hoped would direct me to the website where the costs for attending KSL would be spelled out. NOPE. Instead, it directs you to an article about how Obama is trying to tighten the supply of federal monies to schools opened by companies and their major lobbying efforts against this type of legislation. Not helpful. They need that money to line their pockets with the over inflated tuition, I'm sure.
Anybody who decides to attend this new school is an idiot. There are plenty of options in that area and no reason in the world to sink so low--unless you want a one-stop shop. I'm joking of course... there is no benefit to a one stop shop in the law. I hope Kaplan goes under.
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Let them sink!
ReplyDeleteOpening: 2013
ReplyDelete1st graduates: late 2015/early 2016
1st article where Kaplan grads wind up as permanent LSAT prep teachers for 9 bucks an hour while Kaplan claims 100% placement rate: I'd say June 2016. They'll want to get the new crop in to teach those LSAT summer courses for the Fall 2017 matriculates.
Is the job market only softening for law school grads looking for specific, high-paying jobs at the top law firms, or if it means that the United States has too many lawyers in general? However, a report earlier this year by the National Association of Law Placement indicated that even though the majority of law school graduates can still find jobs, a far higher percentage of those grads are now taking jobs that are temporary.
ReplyDeletemedical school scholarships
This must stop. Otherwise the ABA should just approve 1,000 law schools. Who wouldn't look forward to atending Bart's Beer Shack and School of Law?
ReplyDelete@Jazzie Casas: of course the National Association of Law Placement is going to state that there are jobs out there. They are, but not that many. All one needs to do is go to Monster, Indeed, and Career Builder and key in "attorney" and you will notice that some of these jobs posted are the same positions posted by different placement agencies. For every position posted, the average resumes received in response to an advert today is near 125. Employers have also become very demanding in that if someone does not have all of the requirements needed, that applicant will not be considered (despite having almost all of the qualifications for that position). Law firms have also become very demanding with respect to school rank. Just read some of these employment ads today and there are a number of law firms that require applicants being a graduate from a first or second tier law school and clearly state this requirement in its job advertisements.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned temp jobs. What happens after the assignment concludes? I temped this past year and it took me nearly three months to find my first temp assignment and when that assignment ended, I didn’t hear from any agency until four months latter with another job prospect. Some states you cannot collect UE unless the temp agency advises the state’s UE board that there are no jobs available and you cannot be placed. Most of these assignments today are only for two-three months. Forget about the promise of temp to perm too; most employers do not want to pay a placement fee to agencies. You are aware that there are some hiring managers that also frown upon applicants who only have experience temping? Temping is fine, but only for quick pocket money. The average temp job pays hourly between $20-$25, and much lower if you are a paralegal or a non-admitted attorney.
But you are missing the point here. Big deal someone can land a low paying job. When the average law grad has a deficit of nearly $100K and has to pay off that loan, plus live, and perhaps even have to pay for his/her own health care benefits, etc. that low paying job is not going to cut it. Most of these law grads from third and fourth tier law schools end up either having to leave the field, or their credit scores eventually become shot (and try landing a job these days with a poor credit score). Third and fourth tier law schools basically owe it to its students in being upfront about job prospects, starting salaries, and should drop its tuition rates so these grads are not so cash strapped after graduating. Just having a JD does not guarantee employment anymore.
The Washington Post article notes that Kaplan already owns and operates an unaccredited piece of trash law school in California. Look up Concord Law School. It is such a waste of space that even cockroaches lose prestige/status when they go near it.
ReplyDeleteI have to part ways with most people on this issue. I think Kaplan Law School is a good idea. I don't see why Kaplan's internet law school, Concord Law School is bad, as long as they don't gouge students. These crappy traditional law schools charging 40K+ for some crusty legal education are what is wrong.
ReplyDeleteHeck, I think you could have law school in a box, with just a bunch of DVDs. I went to a top law school, it is basically an over-glorified self-study experience.
Later, I opened up my own practice, and did it by myself. If I had been allowed to do it, I could have opened my practice without going to law school and been just as prepared. When you go to law school you are buying the doors that the law school opens and the ability to practice as a lawyer.
If your school does nothing for you by its prestige to give you opportunity, it really does not matter where you go. Many Concord School of Law have classes, recorded, by a Harvard Law Professor. You don't get the Harvard name but you get the same quality.
Law is pretty screwed up with class rank, law school rank, I do not think many other professions rely so heavy on US News and World Reports to determine quality.
If I could have gone to internet law school and paid 10K for the whole experience, it would have been better. The whole rankings thing, is mostly psychological, except in the extremes.
7:14, you make an excellent point. If one already is doing without prestige, one may as well go all the way and get, essentially, the box set.
ReplyDeleteI don't see why not. Law school is a bunch of bs anyway. It's not like medicine or dentistry where you have to learn how to actually DO something.
The people who attend the law schools may be idiots but Kaplan is brilliant for opening it. this will do great things for its bottom line. just think if mcdonalds gets into the game. if it applies the fast food concept to opening law schools, then the stock will sky rocket.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be the educational equivalent of the happy meal? A jd and mba in 6 months? thoughts???
If McDonald's could somehow get ABA accreditation, it could provide an intensive bar review course and give you a JD and a Big Mac in six months - for the price of less than $6000. With that much preparation, the school should have about a 99% bar passage rate. Plus, if no one wants to touch a McDonald's College of Law grad, you are only out $6K.
ReplyDeleteYou're only out 6k AND you get a Big Mac.
ReplyDeleteSure beats going to West New England Whatever Law School
The Washington Post reports on Kaplan's drive to open a D.C. law school. Hmmm...did the article point out that the Washington Post *owns* Kaplan, which provides the newspaper with 1/3rd of its revenue via its higher education division alone? It also scams vets.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-01/kaplan-quest-for-profit-at-taxpayer-expense-ensnares-disabled-u-s-veteran.html
Interestus conflicitandum.