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[bingo]

Which option is better in this economy: full ride at a part-time T3 vs. pay fully at a "name" part-time (one of the "G"s)?  Let's say personal situation permits either option and I've been practicing as an agent long enough to know it's what I plan to do for the long haul.  I know similar questions have been asked ad nauseam but maybe this question distinguishes: given the crappy and uncertain economy for patent lawyers in at least the next couple of years, would you be better off a) taking the $$ now and going to the T3, since cash flow is at a premium in this economy; or b) going to the "name" school since that will be all the more important going forwards due to a tough market for IP lawyers.

[Lxw]

And you have no other choices?  I'm not sure I would want to take either choice.

[bingo]

Please explain why would you not want either choice lxw (and what type of choice would you prefer)?  I do have the choice of attending said G full time (but then no certainty of a job anytime soon, in this climate).  I was looking at the part-time route while continuing to work as an agent at a firm as the fiscally prudent / safe route.  However, the reason I posted is to get more opinions, so I welcome your perspectives.  thanks.

[Lxw]

I wouldn't go to either because I don't think getting paid to go to a T3 is worth it, nor do I think paying sticker to attend a G is worth doing, either.  The first choice isn't professionally sound, and the second choice isn't financially sound.  You should have the ability to command a sizable scholarship from a school somewhere in between --> this choice would make better sense.  If you're working full time as an agent and going to school part time, there's always the chance of getting laid off in this economy, and then you'll wish you were in a full time program instead.

Personally, I wouldn't even attend a T2 with a full scholarship, even if they paid me a stipend for living costs, but everyone has their own differing opinion towards this.

[stuffball]

"there's always the chance of getting laid off in this economy, and then you'll wish you were in a full time program instead."

I'm not so sure about that.  The first point I'd make is that, if you get laid off, you can always transfer to the full time program.  I don't know about the other two Georges, but the George I went to will let you do this.  The second point is that, if you are working as a student associate at a firm during school, even if you get laid off you'll have more expereience than someone who just came out of a full-time JD program.  That experience could really help you get a job... especially if it's more than 1 or 2 years worth of experience.  In this economy, the experience is probably more valuable than law school prestige or anything else I can think of having had only one cup of coffee this morning.

I would go to the George part-time because... well... that's what I did.  I realize that the economic climate is changing, but when I graduated someone like me... someone from a name-brand school with a lot of experience... was at a premium.  That was nice.

[freepatentbar]

part-time T3 is my suggestion.  You're already an agent with experience.  Just get the piece of paper and improve your marketability. 

[rg.iplaw]

WHEREVER YOU CAN GET THE BEST GRADES.  It is better to be top 10% at a T3 than top 50% at a top 25, at least in my point of view.

[newguy789]

WHEREVER YOU CAN GET THE BEST GRADES.  It is better to be top 10% at a T3 than top 50% at a top 25, at least in my point of view.

That's interesting and not what I hear from everbody.  In fact, some of the people I know who are currently attorneys have said to me that your grades don't matter if you already have a job as an agent.  Any truth to that?

[bald & chained]

you simply don't know where you can get the best grades. As others have said before, top 10% is not guaranteed in anywhere. That is why it is generally safer to go to a better school, financial costs aside.  A top 10% from T3 may be better off than a top 1/2 from T25, but a top 1/2 at T25 is WAY better than a top 1/2 in T3....