14 replies to this topic

[saylovewithlanguage]

Hi, I know the topic of US schools vs Canadian schools has been discussed pretty thoroughly, but I'd still like to get the forum's opinion on this particular case.

With the scholarship offer I received from university of minnesota, I won't be spending that much more to go to Minnesota, so money is not a big issue.
I am also a Canadian-American dual citizen, so I would not be an international student either.

I realize many of the Minnesota grads stay in Minnesota afterwards, but that is something I do not mind, I could be perfectly happy living in Minneapolis.

I can't say the same thing about staying in Manitoba after graduation. I've heard it said that the school you graduate from is not critical to where you'll be able to practice later on in Canada, but ideally I would like to try and make it to Toronto afterwards. I realize this would take some extra legwork on my part, but that is something I am more than willing to do. What worries me is that most University of manitoba grads stay in winnipeg, I'm not sure if I would be very happy with that. I can't tell if that's just because most of the students want to stay in winnipeg or it's just difficult to go elsewhere.

All these things considered, where would my best bet be to secure a well paying job after graduation?

Thanks for any comments and suggestions!

[sonandera]

If you want to get out of Winnipeg, you certainly can. There is a fairly large contingent of U of M grads in Calgary, and a few in Toronto too. If you work hard and send a lot of applications, you can definitely get where you want to go. I think that going to Minnesota might be a bit tougher, just because you'd have to do your NCAs upon your return.

[staffer]

If you want to practice in Toronto (or anywhere in Canada) go to Manitoba. While not a complete career-killer, NCA is lengthy, complicated, and could make it difficult for you to get your foot in the door.

Re money: I don't know the numbers, but take a look at your Minnesota scholarship and figure out if it's as great as it seems. Many American schools (even reputable ones) give big entrance scholarships but require an A average to keep them and grade on really difficult curves. So that scholarship could vanish after a year and you'd be stuck with a hefty bill.

Also, if you're not thrilled with either of these options you can seek a 2L transfer to Ontario and this will be MUCH easier from Manitoba than practically any US school.

[Malicious Prosecutor]

Go to school where you want to practice.

If you're comfortable practicing in the Twin Cities, go to Minnesota. It's actually a very nice school and a very nice town (or, two towns I guess).

If you want to go to Toronto... well you really should try to get accepted into an Ontario law school. That being said, your chances are better coming from Manitoba than from Minesota. NCA is a pain, and I've never heard of a Minnesota grad working in a Canadian biglaw firm. I do however know of a handful of Manitoba grads working in those kinds of firms.

[saylovewithlanguage]

Thanks for the replies!
I probably should have been a little clearer, if I go to Minnesota I do not plan to come back to Canada and fully expect to stay in Minnesota.

I think I'm leaning more towards staying in Manitoba. If I go to Minnesota, my options are pretty limited to Minnesota, but if I go to Manitoba, I'll have a few more options as to where to go in the future.

[echo]

I'm facing a similar decision. I'm a pretty crazy splitter, so my options this year are going to Manitoba (where I have family and would be comfortable) or taking a big scholarship in the US where they value the LSAT more highly than many Canadian schools. I think I am leaning towards Manitoba. The market for legal grads seems much stronger in Canada regardless of what school you come from. While there is the potential to make more money in the States, I also gather that there is a big lifestyle difference in terms of hours and I'm not sure that it would be worth it for me.

Maybe I will see you in the fall, feel free to PM me if you have any questions on other things that factored into my decision.

[davedavedave]

 saylovewithlanguage, on 16 February 2012 - 12:37 PM, said:

Thanks for the replies!
I probably should have been a little clearer, if I go to Minnesota I do not plan to come back to Canada and fully expect to stay in Minnesota.

I think I'm leaning more towards staying in Manitoba. If I go to Minnesota, my options are pretty limited to Minnesota, but if I go to Manitoba, I'll have a few more options as to where to go in the future.

Decide whether or not you want to live in Canada or the United States before even attempting to compare schools.

[QuincyWagstaff]

You have a big scholly at UMInn, but can't get in anywhere in Canada better than Manitoba?Extreme splitter?If you want TO, got to an Ontario LS.

[Bonin18]

I wouldnt worry too much about the stats. Sure most Robson Hall grads stay in Manitoba, but that is largely due to the fact that out of a class of 100, 50% are from Manitoba. In fact, from what I gathered from welcome day it is a pretty recent phenomenon for Robson Hall to have a large portion of students from Ontario. Let's face it, OLSAS kills our GPA's, and the u of m is one of the few schools that a) drops grades and b) calculates graduate and second degree credits into their index formula. I'm not from Toronto, but after speaking to a few lawyers in my area, go where you want to go. In the end, the Canadian JD is what matters most.

[Pyke]

Minneapolis is a great city to raise a family in, from what I recall. I mean, it really comes down to whether you want to be an American or a Canadian, I guess.

[Jawbreaker]

As a 3rd year at University of Manitoba, It seems to me that only about 1/2 of our students stay in Manitoba anymore. Plenty are going to Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver as well as a few SCC clerkships. A Canadian common-law JD/LLB is all that really matters to practice in any non-Quebec jurisdiction in Canada. The only holdback is the social-networking opportunities in any school are focused on the home market. Still, if you are willing to travel for interviews & skip OCIs, Bay street is certainly attainable from Manitoba. Your school does not matter as much as your relative ranking within your school.

[QuincyWagstaff]

Jawbreaker, on 27 March 2012 - 11:53 AM, said:

As a 3rd year at University of Manitoba, It seems to me that only about 1/2 of our students stay in Manitoba anymore. Plenty are going to Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver as well as a few SCC clerkships. A Canadian common-law JD/LLB is all that really matters to practice in any non-Quebec jurisdiction in Canada. The only holdback is the social-networking opportunities in any school are focused on the home market. Still, if you are willing to travel for interviews & skip OCIs, Bay street is certainly attainable from Manitoba. Your school does not matter as much as your relative ranking within your school.

What percentile range at UM would have a fighting chance for these markets, would you estimate? Top 25%? Top 10%? Fewer?

[Jawbreaker]

Generally Dean's list (top 10%) will get you interviews anywhere - after that it is all up to you. However, plenty of people in the to 25% still get big law jobs. The better your resume & EC's, the less you need Grades (but grades always matter).

[QuincyWagstaff]

 Jawbreaker, on 30 March 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

Generally Dean's list (top 10%) will get you interviews anywhere - after that it is all up to you. However, plenty of people in the to 25% still get big law jobs. The better your resume & EC's, the less you need Grades (but grades always matter).

I think it goes without saying that the top 10% at most law schools in Canada will get a lot of looks. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s likely to be a tough slog in other markets for UofM students in the bottom ⅔ without ties to Winnipeg. While some top UofM students will place in Vancouver, there is a significant bias towards (some) prairie law schools among some members of the legal community in the lower mainland, from what I’ve heard. To that degree, your law school does influence opportunities in Vancouver.

[pk_00]

saylovewithlanguage, on 16 February 2012 - 12:37 PM, said:

Thanks for the replies!
I probably should have been a little clearer, if I go to Minnesota I do not plan to come back to Canada and fully expect to stay in Minnesota.

I think I'm leaning more towards staying in Manitoba. If I go to Minnesota, my options are pretty limited to Minnesota, but if I go to Manitoba, I'll have a few more options as to where to go in the future.

Minnesota is a top 20 law school. I don't think your options are necessarily that limited.