GW v U Illinois?

[enron123]

I previously estimated my scholarships here so I removed it and started a new poll too dumb to know how to delete.

[Grizz]

GW for your career goals I guess, but damn, that is not a lot of money. The debt will be bad.

[ndirish2010]

Any chance you could be happy in the midwest at all?

[enron123]

I'm not sure about the midwest. But generally yeah I could see myself staying in that market, just have EC bias/preference. Essentially I'm not sure what kind of law I want to practice so taking on extra debt is a bit scary.

[You Gotta Have Faith]

1. Ask GW for more moolah. They just might do it. You never know until you try. If they know you have a full-ride in hand from a strong Midwest school, but that you'd really prefer to go to GW (but just can't bring yourself to because of the cost difference), they might reason with you.

2. If you do decide to go to UIUC, having East Coast/Virginia connections really will help you if you do opt to seek employment that way later on. Also, consider asking UIUC for a list of alumni in the DC area (or whatever area it is). Most schools have that, and it will give you an idea of how many UIUC people end up in the general region you're wanting to practice in.

[ndirish2010]

FWIW, I had a similar scholarship to UIUC (along with a bunch of other T30s...W&M, W&L..etc..) and GW did not budge for me (they didn't give me anything).

[enron123]

Really like the scenario where GW gives me a bunch of money anyone else have any experiences with this that went more positively than ndirish's?

[ndirish2010]

I realized I never gave my opinion. If you can't get any money out of GW, I would go to Illinois. Only COL is pretty great for three years, and like another poster said you can possibly get back to the area by doing really well and mining alumni connections. If you don't do well, at least you won't have mountains of debt. OTOH, did you apply to any of the other regional T30s in the area, like W&M, that are a lot cheaper and have more alums in DC/NoVa?

[enron123]

Thanks for the replies,in response to ndirish, the only others in the area I applied to were GM and WL and was waitlisted at both (splitter so I'm not really surprised by anything).

Another thing that is really giving me trouble is what is the difference besides regional placement of UI and GW, being from the area I feel like GW has a much bigger reputation/ prospects is that just because I'm not from the midwest?

Anyone have experience here? Also if anyone has asked GW for additional funds would love to hear your experience and if it worked for you what you think you did right?

thanks!