I'm in a totally different field, so I know nothing about the law
profession. But what the paper talked about is very true even for
the high tech field. I can only speak from my own profession:
computers and telecommunication. It's a different world compare
to just two years ago. Many of my co-workers and friends are out
of job now, of cause most of them are in the field of telecommunication,
the hardest hit profession in this recession. The problem is
nobody knows when the recession will end. Ten years ago,
there was a recession, and it took well beyond 5 years for
the economy to fully recover. But on the other hand, sooner or later
the recession will have to end and a new cycle will begin.
Time is bad right now.
Nobody can predict the future. If you decide not to come to US
to get your degree, you might regret later. But if you do, I really
don't know if it will worth it from money point of view, it'll depend
on the economy of the next few years and beyond. Sorry I cannot
be that helpful in this regard.
BiBi
Our income is high because we have over 12 years of experience
in the US, we started work in 1989 and 1990. Plus we are in the
high tech industry and is well paid. Our annual income is around
$80,000 for each of us, more or less.
Our tax rate for the federal is usually 36% or 39%, depending
on how much capital gains or losses we incur in the year. Of cause,
the federal tax rate for everyone starts at 15%, then goes to
28%, 31%, 36%, 39%, depend on the person(s) total income of the
year. Most people would fall into the 28% category.
The social security tax and Medicare tax together is around 10% (only
citizens and greencard holders need to pay).
The state tax for our state is 5% - 6% for regular income and 12%
for capital gains.
The real estate tax for our town is very very high because we have a
good school system, I don't know the rate. It depend on the value
of the property. Fortunately, we have a small house.
Then there is 10% of money goes to the retirement system, and some
percentage goes to our kids' collage savings account. We had to start
their collage savings as soon as they were born, otherwise we wouldn't
afford to send them to collage when they graduate from high school.
Of cause they'll have to borrow money (student loan) when they go to
collage because our savings are probably not enough for 4 years of
collage for both of them. Most US collage students have student loans.
It's very common. Then they'll pay off the loan when they graduate and
start to work. Most US students also have part jobs while in school,
including some high school students.
The rest of our money goes to our house (mortgage), our cars, insurance
for all of us, the house, and the cars. Then it's every day living expenses.
That's a glance into our financial situation. So as long as both of us can keep
our jobs we are OK.
第二等级：除了YHS的前TOP14（还有一说是TOP13）。这些学校就是美国律师眼里的所谓“牛校”。之所以卡到14（或13），是因为这些学校自USNEWS有排名来从来的都把着前十三，只有顺序更改，没谁出去过，别人也没进来过。这说明什么？说明这十三所学校基本上是一个档次的，在全国都有影响性，你说U of Chicago和U of Michigan到底哪个更牛？这跟本就没统一答案。
对于LLM来说：选学校应该注意排名和位置的综合考虑。YHS不用说了，每年美国这边不多的几个招中国LLM的机会首先肯定往那仍。第二等级的，已经很难讲了，如果你毕业就想回国，这些学校给你镀了一层名气上的金，你自己究竟学了多少要看个人。第三等级和所有以后的的，我建议更看重地理位置。当然无论你怎么看重，找到工作的可能也趋零。这个不是我打击你，是美国经济打击你。事实都摆在那里了，我隐瞒只能让你来了更受打击。这个咱们坛子上现在不也有很多正找工作的么，他们比我更清楚这其中的无奈。如果没有很意外的机会（比如XXX啊，XXX啊什么的），或你做了很多好事老天就是想回报你……forget it.
Vanity...definitely my favorite sin.
哎呀，你想那么多又有什么用呢，啊？
一定要以一种积极的心态来面对心痛时光。
To be a good man, responsible for all the people love me, and loved by me.作者: 冰火NaNa 时间: 2007-5-18 23:54:30