19 replies to this topic

[vllina]

Soo, I recieved early acceptance to both but only Western offered me an early acceptance scholarship (5000$). Originally, I was planning to go to Western because I wasn't sure if I would get into Osgoode. Now when I tell people that I'm planning to accept Western and decline Osgoode everyone looks at me like I'm crazy. I like that Western tuition is cheaper and I'm not too fond of York because that's where I'm doing my undergrad and although I had a great experience there I feel like I'm ready to move on. Looking into the future, realistically, would I have some sort of an edge if I graduated from Osgoode and not Western? Which one would make more sense?

[Canuck04]

What law do you plan on practicing?

Also, what are your stats?

[vllina]

Corporate and what do you mean stats?

[Canuck04]

GPA and LSAT.

And, from what I've heard, UWO is great for corporate.

Edited by Canuck04, 12 January 2012 - 09:14 PM.

[vllina]

^{GPA was an A and LSAT was 161, but I'm in already so I don't think it matter too much now.}

Edited by vllina, 12 January 2012 - 09:21 PM.

[theiva4]

I have a similar problem. But i think Oz is a safer bet because Western strongly focuses on corporate but if your interests change you may be stuck.

[whereverjustice]

I went to Osgoode. I think your decision is totally fine.

• There's something to be said for getting a more varied experience by attending different universities for undergrad and law school. I went to York for my first degree and don't regret choosing Osgoode, but there was definitely a temptation to go elsewhere just to see and do new things. Law school isn't just a career move - it's three years of your life and you should enjoy it.
  
• It's okay to consider tuition costs when choosing a law school. I'm not in the camp that says, "$5000 isn't a lot of money over the course of your legal career". It takes a certain level of privilege to be able to say that. You're the best judge of what's worth your money - don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
  
• Western's a great law school. Osgoode is too. You won't be damaging your career by going to one over the other. If you feel Western is the best fit for your tastes and preferences, then that's where you should go.

[This_is_Sparta]

theiva4, on 12 January 2012 - 11:28 PM, said:

I have a similar problem. But i think Oz is a safer bet because Western strongly focuses on corporate but if your interests change you may be stuck.

Exactly. Look at the upper year courses offered at each respective school. You'll definitely see that Western is strongly corporate oriented... It all depends on what your goals are, OP.

[davedavedave]

whereverjustice, on 13 January 2012 - 07:03 AM, said:

I went to Osgoode. I think your decision is totally fine.

• There's something to be said for getting a more varied experience by attending different universities for undergrad and law school. I went to York for my first degree and don't regret choosing Osgoode, but there was definitely a temptation to go elsewhere just to see and do new things. Law school isn't just a career move - it's three years of your life and you should enjoy it.
  
• It's okay to consider tuition costs when choosing a law school. I'm not in the camp that says, "$5000 isn't a lot of money over the course of your legal career". It takes a certain level of privilege to be able to say that. You're the best judge of what's worth your money - don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
  
• Western's a great law school. Osgoode is too. You won't be damaging your career by going to one over the other. If you feel Western is the best fit for your tastes and preferences, then that's where you should go.

The best response you'll get.

[moridach]

It really depends on how much fun you want in your life.

I was at Western for undergrad and then am now at Osgoode. No matter what anyone says, there is no way that Osgoode/York can be more "fun" than Western. At Osgoode, people come in for class, attend class, and then go home or go study in the library. There are few opportunities for "fun" things to do with other people at law school. On the other hand, you probably would have a lot more "fun" and "community" at Western. You really should consider what factors are most important to you. If "fun" is important to you, considering going to Western.

[Maven]

moridach, on 13 January 2012 - 07:20 PM, said:

It really depends on how much fun you want in your life.

I was at Western for undergrad and then am now at Osgoode. No matter what anyone says, there is no way that Osgoode/York can be more "fun" than Western. At Osgoode, people come in for class, attend class, and then go home or go study in the library. There are few opportunities for "fun" things to do with other people at law school. On the other hand, you probably would have a lot more "fun" and "community" at Western. You really should consider what factors are most important to you. If "fun" is important to you, considering going to Western.

truth

[vllina]

I would agree that you definately have to work harder to find fun things to do at York. After reading through the comments I'm almost certain I'm going to Western. I was mainly worried about how people see Western vs Osgoode if you're trying to find a job. Do people actually that much about where you graduate from?

[visualpurple]

vllina, on 16 January 2012 - 09:56 AM, said:

I would agree that you definately have to work harder to find fun things to do at York. After reading through the comments I'm almost certain I'm going to Western. I was mainly worried about how people see Western vs Osgoode if you're trying to find a job. Do people actually that much about where you graduate from?

Not if you do well. If you ride the curve or do poorly, you will have a tougher time, but there will still be options available to you.

[BrianGriffintheDog]

Western is Great for corporate but I hear Osgoode is better.

[whereverjustice]

BrianGriffintheDog, on 16 January 2012 - 02:43 PM, said:

Western is Great for corporate but I hear Osgoode is better.

From whom do you hear this? How are they measuring it? Are they in a position to make an informed assessment?

[vllina]

whereverjustice, on 16 January 2012 - 02:55 PM, said:

From whom do you hear this? How are they measuring it? Are they in a position to make an informed assessment?

Lol. Yea I've been hearing some rumblings of Osgoode > Western for a while now, but no one can actually tell me why or how Osgoode is better. I guess it's because I go to York so there's some bias there about all things being better at York cause it's York.

Edited by vllina, 16 January 2012 - 04:16 PM.

[osgoode_student]

moridach, on 13 January 2012 - 07:20 PM, said:

It really depends on how much fun you want in your life.

I was at Western for undergrad and then am now at Osgoode. No matter what anyone says, there is no way that Osgoode/York can be more "fun" than Western. At Osgoode, people come in for class, attend class, and then go home or go study in the library. There are few opportunities for "fun" things to do with other people at law school. On the other hand, you probably would have a lot more "fun" and "community" at Western. You really should consider what factors are most important to you. If "fun" is important to you, considering going to Western.

Of course it's possible for one's three years at Osgoode to be better than one's three years at Western. Unless you're the type who is only social while on campus during school hours and doesn't go out at night with friends from law school, living in Toronto (even up in North York) can easily be a lot more fun than living in London. And unless things have drastically changed in the last year, Osgoode students do go out and party and make use of the various things (usually bars) to try in the city, but obviously the majority of this doesn't fall under the official school-endorsed events list. Your social life at any law school is dependent on what you yourself make it, and if you want to have fun you can. Yes, York is not the greatest place to hang out at, but it's not like Western law students (or students from any other law school) primarily hang out on their campus to have fun, as that would be lame as hell.

[BrianGriffintheDog]

Just about all the lawyers and articling students seem to point to U of T/McGill and then Osgoode when it comes to corporate law. Since great majority of the ones I spoken to weren't from Osgoode or Western, I would assume their words are worth something at least?

Edited by BrianGriffintheDog, 19 January 2012 - 01:07 PM.

[Lord Denning]

I'm a 2L at Oz.

I don't think going to Western would hurt your job prospects at all. Western is a great school, with a nice, small-town vibe. All the parks and trees are awesome. Both are very strong schools for corporate law.

If you think you may be interested in any other area of law Oz may be slightly ahead due to clinical opportunities. It has many more criminal offerings, for example, including 3 intensive programs.

Even in corporate law, there are 3 intensives at Oz- Stikeman's Business Workshop, and 2 intensives run by Davies. Other than that, the only other real advantage to Oz is being able to attend firm tours on a regular basis. I toured many (6 or 7) firms during first year, and it really gave me a feel for which firm may be the best fit for me. It also gave me something to talk about in cover letters besides, "I read your website..."

Also, keep in mind that Oz has a pretty good bursary program. After bursaries, there may not be much cost difference (if any). The neediest students get up to 10k in bursaries per year.

If you know you want to go corporate, either school will give you opportunities if you're in the top 1/3 of the class.

[This_is_Sparta]

And if you are not in the top 1/3rd, then what are your job prospects like? I am not talking about corporate specifically.