Jeffrey Scott, 2L

Contributor

As the recession wave crashes over the expectations of hopeful college graduates, high school seniors who think the recession has no direct impact on their college admissions decisions are certainly mistaken. This particular decision is a difficult one in the face of both soaring private college tuitions and the debt that will have to be paid off from low-paying or non-existent job salaries. Then there is the dreaded “denied” stamp that is used on financial aid requests more than steroids are used in baseball.

How about a public university? Besides the fact that there are many public universities in the U.S. that offer a superb education, it can often be earned at a fourth of the price of a private university. The prospect of minimal debt at the end of the four years is an extremely enticing option in today’s uncertain economic climate.

Some of my high school friends told me that if I attended SUNY Binghamton or any public university, I would be severely disadvantaged when it came time for graduate school. Some gave me a grimace when “SUNY” and “I will attend” appeared in the same sentence. Were these private school-bound friends of mine really off base? Is there a public school disadvantage in the admissions process for graduate schools in general and law schools in particular?

The answer is “absolutely not” according to David Martinidez, Dean of Admissions at Cardozo. Moreover, Martinidez states, “public institutions, in particular the state schools in New York, California, and New Jersey have been among Cardozo’s feeder schools for many years.” Likewise, Binghamton’s pre-law advisor, Mary Daly, and Geneseo’s pre-law advisor, Dr. Graham Drake, dismiss the existence of a public school disadvantage. Daly confirmed that Binghamton students do very well in applying to law schools, including Cardozo. The number of students admitted from Binghamton to Cardozo has gradually increased over the past five years.

Binghamton was always my first choice. I was attracted to its reputation, the enthusiasm of its student body and faculty, and the connection I felt as soon as I stepped onto its campus. The reasonable tuition was a bonus, and an additional factor in my decision to go there. The education I received at Binghamton was impeccable, and the opportunities that were given to me were plentiful. I am proud of my SUNY roots, and grateful to be at Cardozo.

I suppose a public school education is like a membership to a gym: either pay $80 a month at New York Sports Club or pay a lower rate of $10 a month at Planet Fitness; in the end, if you put in an equal amount of work and dedication, you will see the same results (even if New York Sports Club has the superior reputation).

On March 1, 2009, The New York Times published an article entitled, “Well-Regarded Public Colleges get a Surge of Bargain Hunters.” It reports that SUNY universities are seeing an increase in applications and an increase in enrollments of top high school seniors.

So as the public university’s reputation grows, and its tuition remains very affordable, does a private university flex more muscle in the end? I think not.