Does anyone have any insight on Western State College of Law at Argosy, formerly Does anyone have any insight on Western State University College of Law, in Fullerton, California? This is an EDMC owned property. I have not heard good things.
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The only way to properly attend this law school is to already be a homeowner from your other job, simply write a check for the tuition gradually as you go, then revert back to your old job . ..
As a former student who made the huge mistake of attending Western, I absolutely agree with all the above. This "school" was dishonest about the cost of attendance, how much financial aid it would award as a refund, and misrepresents Bar passage rates.
First, the "school's" Financial Aid Office informed me of the cost of attendance when I was researching law schools. Western did not provide the cost of attendance on its website at the time. But when I became a student, the cost increased "because there were unanticipated fees that were previously excluded from the initial cost" - according to the Financial Aid Office at the time. Other students experienced this as well. Sounds pretty fishy, doesn't it?
Second, when the time arrived to receive my financial aid refund (which I relied on to cover rent, utilities, books, and other living expenses), I received $15,000 less than what the school had promised. When asked about the substantially reduced refund, the same Financial Aid Officer repeated what she said earlier about the cost of attendance "...unanticipated fees". Other students were told the same - sounds fishy again...
Third, Western admits a large number of students to fill its 1L class, then fails most of them before the second year. By the time the third year arrives, only 1/3 of the entering class remains. And during 3L, the school finds ways to prevent students from taking the Bar in the same year they graduate by failing them. Thus, when the time comes to take the bar, less than 1/3 of the entering class actually take it. This works in the "school's" favor; the lower the number of the students taking the Bar, the easier it is to get a higher Bar passage rate.
For example, if 40 Western students from the entering class (of 200) take the Bar and most pass, that will lead to a high Bar passage rate. But take a school like Pepperdine Law, which has a very low attrition rate, where at least 80% of its entering class (200) take the Bar, and most pass. Pepperdine's Bar passage rate may be slightly lower than Western's, but more people from the entering class graduate, and pass the Bar from Pepperdine than do Western. This is actually a classic LSAT scenario - and with good reason! Percentages are taken advantage of by "schools" like Western, which is why knowing the overall number(s) and their corresponding percentages is very important.
In closing, I highly recommend students stay as far away from this "school" as possible. It is extremely dishonest, is money hungry (after all, it's a for - profit institution), and does not care about its students. I could share more about my experience at that place, but this message is long enough lol.
Try getting a transcript from a school in receivership. They don't even answer the f—ing phone.
STAY FAR FAR AWAY! I went there and they let more students than they can handle for second year so they fail many people out. In addition, it's a very poor school and the bar passage rate is one of the lowest. I know many people that have spent thousands to go for a year and get flunked out only to go on and graduate from another graduate or law school and do very well. I think it is a money making scam. Let a bunch of 1 Ls in, take their money, kick them out after first year.
Wacre.com - For Law Students By Law Students
https://www.wacre.com/
A website focused on Western State College of law student discussions such as the Argosy Receivership, Western State Students, and topics that are discussed ...
I am a former faculty member who was privileged to accept a position at another institution several years ago. Like many of my colleagues, I saw the writing on the wall and got out when I could. EDMC owns this law school and it will likely go bankrupt, be sold, or close. It is a shame, because it used to be a solid school in the area, but has now transitioned to an institution of greed with a significant lack of integrity. Transfer if you are a student and avoid this law school at all costs.
I am a former faculty member who was privileged to accept a position at another institution several years ago. Like many of my colleagues, I saw the writing on the wall and got out when I could. EDMC owns this law school and it will likely go bankrupt, be sold, or close. It is a shame, because it used to be a solid school in the area, but has now transitioned to an institution of greed with a significant lack of integrity. Transfer if you are a student and avoid this law school at all costs.
Where can yo transfer from here?
I heard from two employees of the school (1 of whom is a faculty member) to put in transfer applications as soon as possible. Things are not looking good.
They will probably go out of business eventually once EDMC starts closing down more school. Do you really want to even risk having a degree on your resume that was debunked and out of business only a few years after you graduate?
Yep, dont go there its a bad way to start out a career, especially one where it matters where you went to school. Reputation matters as does connections which are both poor at that school.
California is one of the few states that has law schools where you can graduate with a degree that, if you pass the BAR, will allow you to practice in California only.
This is probably the most expensive school in the state--it is more than Pepperdine (keep in mind that Pepperdine is home to at least one of about every top notch attorney in the country). Admission is a piece of cake. Finding placement afterwards is the typical EDMC deal--there is none. Without placement and everyday law experience passing the BAR is exceptionally hard. Worse yet, you will have no practical experience. The faculty is hard to call a faculty with a straight face. The student body is about the same. Most of what will make you a good lawyer and prepare you for the rather humbling experience of studying for the BAR is the competitive if not downright adversarial nature of other aspiring lawyers. The student body is comprised of desperate wannabes.
Pacific and similar schools are easy in, reasonable, and have all of the things you want to be a real attorney. I rest my case.
Get out when you can!