Double Header: WashPo is Kaplan's Bitch and Pychology's Explanation for Top Law Schools

Aussies have been reading BIDER and the discussion of the scam blogs and the legal industry spurred this discussion.  Kudos to Donna Gordon for putting a name of the "affliction" suffered by many lemmings, as evidenced by discussion at Top Law Schools.

	elnoobocompo writes... Real problem is employers expecting some initiative (work experience or the likes for real world experience) and  graduates only offering a degree then searching for months for a job whilst the kid who had work experience  because the employer knew there's no way (unless they attended Uni earlier) the student could have any and  is thus showing initiative and willing to work hard. I'll use your statement to put across my 2c, again. Blaming individual students for not getting jobs is a bit silly. There are simply not enough jobs (as lawyers,  that people actually want when they start a law degree) to go around.
	O.P. this post was edited dzhay writes... Blaming individual students for not getting jobs is a bit silly. There are simply not enough jobs (as lawyers, that people actually want when they start a law degree) to go around. I agree. I think that some people here need to understand the meaning of "Fundamental attribution error". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_attribution_error In social psychology, the fundamental attribution error (also known as correspondence bias or  attribution effect) describes the tendency to over-value dispositional or personality-based  explanations for the observed behaviors of others while under-valuing situational explanations for those behaviors. The fundamental attribution error is most visible when people explain the behavior of others. It does not explain interpretations of one's own behavior—where situational factors are  often taken into consideration. This discrepancy is called the actor– observer bias. As a simple example, if Alice saw Bob trip over a rock and fall, Alice might consider Bob to be  clumsy or careless (dispositional). If Alice later tripped over the same rock herself, she would  be more likely to blame the placement of the rock (situational).

Tell me that doesn't describe lemmings to a tee.  It's not us, it's the legal industry.  Stop trying to blame the "victim" and see for a second that you can be in the same situation as all of the unemployed and underemployed attorneys out there.

*****************
A reporter from Washington Post called me for an article that was published last Sunday.  What a loser article.  When the article was first published, it said that the founders of Law School Transparency were Villanova students--this mistake has since been fixed as they are in fact students at Vanderbilt.  The article is tepid at best, saying that the ABA passed a resolution requesting that the law schools be more truthful.  No mention of Villanova's recent scandal:

Villanova University School of Law “knowingly reported” inaccurate admissions information to the American Bar Association for years leading up to a new dean’s arrival in 2010, the school’s dean said Monday.

My biggest problem with the article is that she spoke to ME and didn't mention our interview or BIDER, but instead chose to cite Esq Never.  Although Esq Never was a great blog, it has been defunct since August 8, 2010--although recently updated with one post (literally explaining Esq Never's absence).  Way to go, Washington Post! I can only hypothesize, but the reporter's reluctance to tell the real story may be related to Kaplan's ownership of Washington  Post.  You don't want to trash the boss' business.  I expected a story at least as fair as Washington Post's story on Kaplan opening a law school in D.C.
Washington Post, try publishing a real story next time. Also, don't bother calling me unless you're going to quote me or one of my contemporaries.

Kaplan: LSAT Prep is Not Enough...

Kaplan School of Law?  Really?  Kaplan is shopping for space in Southeast D.C. ... for a law school because Catholic, American, Georgetown, GW, GMU.... UDC... Howard are not equipped to pump more grads into the already saturated Nation's Capital.
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.

Big City Living Is Expensive

Over the weekend I left Podunk for the first time in nearly a year to visit a friend, a PhD student, in the big city. I've lived in big cities before, New York and DC to name a few, but it is always a shock to my wallet when I leave for a while and come back to discover that while prices in Podunk remain relatively cheap, prices in the big city continue to skyrocket. I did a double take when I walked by a gas station and saw that regular gas was $3.29. Want a nice dinner that isn't fast food? It'll cost you as much as I spend per week on groceries in Podunk. Organic over processed and canned food? Don't even think about it. And who has money to afford gym membership in the city when you can't even afford a place that isn't infested with cockroaches or pay for books and school supplies?

At the end of two days, I had spent over $50 in the blink of an eye just to have lunch and dinner with friends. And this was me penny pinching, choosing not to have any alcohol and once having to eat in the park rather than have a sit down meal in the restaurant where I'd be obliged to give the waiter a tip. I chose to spend around $15 for the entire weekend taking the bus and subway rather than spending $15 on one cab ride. Angel has already written about her experience taking the bus and riding her bicycle as her way of commuting into Manhattan.

I was looking through Angel's posts from last year since I did not have a chance to read every single one. I came across this post about Angel's friend who lived off of PB&J sandwiches for years while making $100k/year in order to pay off his student loans:

I have a good friend that buckled down from the time he graduated (2004) until last year, and paid off his private loans. He's not done yet, of course. But he is close to it. In order for him to do this, he was frugal. He rarely/if ever went out to eat. He brought a PB&J sandwich to work daily. He did not engage in frivolous spending. I think his social life was somewhat limited by how much he was willing to spend, which was nothing. He didn't have a girlfriend during this stressful time. I know he went on dates, but I'm sure he was somewhat constrained on what he could do with any girl. Having fun costs money, right? He lived in a studio apartment with hand-me-down furniture. Ran instead of joining a gym. He collected cans from co-workers to recycle for cash. Wait... the kicker. This was all while he was earning $100K. That's how you pay back your student loans, folks. I'm very proud of him. I'm not sure that many people could make the same sacrifices. Afterall, he basically handed one biweekly paycheck a month over to the Lender.

I had the chance to meet up with another friend during my visit who was smart enough to only attend college. Nonetheless, she still lives at home with her parents while she pays off her student loans and works as someone's assistant for a little more than minimum wage. And these are considered the lucky people in this recession who have a job. These stories should be a warning to all the law school lemmings and high school or college students (and their parents) who believe everyone with an elite degree or graduate school education lives in Soho and shops at Whole Foods. I went to top schools only with the belief that it was my ticket out of Podunk and now I'm back to where I started and have turned into the Coupon Queen to save money on groceries. I still feel fortunate that I still have a place in Podunk to return where the cost of living is cheap enough that I can still eat healthy and nutritious foods without breaking the bank.

When I see the constant criticism of the poor and obese in our society on television, it really makes me wonder whether any of these critics have experienced anything close to poverty or being an indentured student with six figure debt. I highly doubt it. I've never been obese but I have put on weight since being unemployed. I've forced myself to go jogging at least several times each week to maintain my weight and I receive enough financial support from my family that I can afford to buy fruits and vegetables or the occasional salmon or tuna. But I also find myself eating more microwave dinners and fast food while I'm out to avoid spending too much at a sit down restaurant.

Going back to the big city and not being a full-time student or having a job really made me think about these issues on my way back to Podunk. What it is like to be poor in the city for the unemployed graduate, or someone like Angel's friend making a good salary but trying to pay off his law school debt, or the single parent making minimum wage. How is it possible to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle let alone think about superficial things like their physical attractiveness when they have bills to pay, kids to feed, or are dealing with depression and unemployment. Instead of criticism and finger pointing, maybe the people in power should try to help these people find good paying jobs to buy healthy food and give them affordable education and health care that would allow them to live happy, active lives.

"Extraordinary Opportunity" for Paralegal/JD in Northern Virginia

For $11-13 an hour you can work from dawn until dusk with a 30 minute lunch break at a law office located in Falls Church, VA, one of the richest cities in the country. Notice how the ad makes no difference between a paralegal right out of college and a law graduate. Either way you're just a low wage administrative assistant who must also juggle being a lawyer and interacting with clients.


I live in Podunk where the cost of living is significantly less than in NOVA/DC and the housekeepers here get paid more than what a lot of the firms in major cities are offering these days. Also be sure to check out toiletlaw's latest post for another extraordinary opportunity to work for $12 an hour in New Jersey.

---

Very skilled experienced Paralegal or JD needed for very busy criminal and civil practice.
Extraordinary opportunity with opportunity for growth.

Must have experience having worked in other law firms.
Be professional and articulate as this position involves client interaction.
Must be ON TIME, organized and able to multi-task.
Hours are from 8AM to 6:00PM daily with a 30 minute lunch break.

Involves:
client intakes
scheduling apts.
creating files
filing away files
organizing office
maintaining calenders
calling clients
typing letters, pleadings and correspondence daily. Must be a fast typist.
Answering phones/taking messages
interacting with the Court
periodic filings with the court

Requirements:
Fast Paced environment - must be able to juggle many different tasks.
MUST NOT HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD OF ANY KIND - a complete background check will take place
ONLY APPLICANTS THAT PROVIDE their resumes will get a response.
This position is for immediate placement, please be ready to start promptly.
Only applicants with salary expectations will receive interview opportunity.


Thank you.

• Location: Falls Church
• Compensation: $11 to $13/hour or based on experience

Job Announcement! Washington D.C. Lawyers, come one, come all!

Especially those who went to law school for free and live with a rich spouse and/or parents!

Entry-level attorney (Washington DC)

---

Date: 2010-03-13, 9:06PM EST
Reply to: job-dumpp-1643110562@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

---

Small civil litigation firm in Washington D.C. is seeking a young, intelligent, newly-admitted attorney to join and learn from the experienced attorneys at our firm. We will provide training and the opportunity to grow with our firm. Requirements include excellent academic credentials from a top law school, with law journal and/or clinical experience preferred. Please forward your resume, cover letter, and writing sample. This is an excellent opportunity to break into the Washington D.C. legal world and our attorneys are eager to share their knowledge with a new member of the firm so contact us today!

• Location: Washington DC
• Compensation: $30k
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Thanks for the tip, Esq. Never!