The Gentleman's Decision - GULC or Penn Forum

[The Gentleman]

So my cycle is coming to a close and I've narrowed down my options to either Georgetown with full tuition (120k plus work study that I intend to use) or Penn with 70k. Up until two days ago, I was 99.999% set on going to Penn, but then GULC came out of the blue with a Godfather offer. Now that I've thought about it, GULC seems like the obvious choice, but I want to hear what TLS thinks. Here's the relevant information.

Career Goals - I have a strong interest in federal govt work. If I did private practice, then it would be at a small or mid-size firm. No interest in biglaw.

Location - Philly is a cool place, but I'd much rather be in DC during and after law school. Also, my significant other is a big factor here. She'll be getting a job in whichever city I pick, and she's understandably concerned about being uprooted three years from now if I have to move. So if I go to Penn, I'm more or less committed to staying in Philly, and if I go to GULC, I'm committed to DC.

Debt Aversion and Financial Considerations - I do recognize that debt is part of the reality of law school, but it still scares me nonetheless. My SO and I will probably get married once I graduate from law school, and we'd like to be able to buy a house at that point. I'd be worried that the 150k of debt from Penn would make this nearly impossible.

School Preference - I really liked both schools and would be fine with either one. Penn has nicer buildings/classrooms and their smaller section sizes really appeal to me. Georgetown has an awesome fitness center and their law library is nicer than Penn's IMHO. Also, I've lived in the midwest my whole life and I'm sick of the endless winters. DC weather >>>> Philly weather.

EDIT: Would those who vote for Penn mind sharing their reasoning?

[313D313]

You cannot go wrong with either one. Overral, I think should you pick GULC, especially if you plan on staying in DC. Then you factor in the fact that it is a full scholly and you do not want Biglaw, great choice. But, theres the "prestige" of Penn, which i agree is hard to pass up. GULC!

[jeremysen]

Everything is leaning towards GULC - perhaps you can throw that offer to Penn & see if they'll increase.

Otherwise, by attending GULC, you have the opportunity to network, get situated in your desired legal market, and of course, satisfy your SO!

[buckilaw]

For federal gov't work and no interest in biglaw GULC (for free) is the way to go.

[buckilaw]

EDIT: Would those who vote for Penn mind sharing their reasoning?

My guess: they didn't read the OP and voted Penn because Penn places better for biglaw.

[The Gentleman]

Thanks for the responses so far!

perhaps you can throw that offer to Penn & see if they'll increase.

Sorry, I should have said that I've already sent GULC's offer, and Penn upped their offer to 70k in response.

[DreamsInDigital]

For federal gov't work and no interest in biglaw GULC (for free) is the way to go.

+1

[tea_drinker]

For federal gov't work and no interest in biglaw GULC (for free) is the way to go.

+1

GULC FTW

[lisjjen]

When you say "Gentleman's Decision" it just sounds sexual. In that case, DC has far more options than Philly. Even if it didn't have to do with such a thing, I still think GULC is going to be the better option for you.

[Flips88]

For federal gov't work and no interest in biglaw GULC (for free) is the way to go.

[The Gentleman]

Well I'm glad to see that people agree with my thinking. Why are people voting Penn?

[AreJay711]

Free is usually better than not free unless we were talking HYS.

[lisjjen]

Well I'm glad to see that people agree with my thinking. Why are people voting Penn?

Doesn't matter. I put up a dozen UT v UMich poll where everyone voted UMich. Everyone voted UMich.

You need to come to a place where you are able to say f**k everyone on TLS, I now realize that I want to go to xyz. That's why I'm matriculating to UT/A.

[AreJay711]

Well I'm glad to see that people agree with my thinking. Why are people voting Penn?

Doesn't matter. I put up a dozen UT v UMich poll where everyone voted UMich. Everyone voted UMich.

You need to come to a place where you are able to say f**k everyone on TLS, I now realize that I want to go to xyz. That's why I'm matriculating to UT/A.

Why'd you ask then?

[dood]

EDIT: Would those who vote for Penn mind sharing their reasoning?

a true gentleman wouldnt even let his servant's kids attend a TTT such as georgeTTTown

[lisjjen]

Well I'm glad to see that people agree with my thinking. Why are people voting Penn?

Doesn't matter. I put up a dozen UT v UMich poll where everyone voted UMich. Everyone voted UMich.

You need to come to a place where you are able to say f**k everyone on TLS, I now realize that I want to go to xyz. That's why I'm matriculating to UT/A.

Why'd you ask then?

Because I wasn't ready to own my decision.

[Magnolia]

Every single factor you stated in the OP points to GULC. I couldn't come up with a reason for you to pick Penn if I tried. Enjoy DC.

[The Gentleman]

EDIT: Would those who vote for Penn mind sharing their reasoning?

a true gentleman wouldnt even let his servant's kids attend a TTT such as georgeTTTown

Clever.

[lisjjen]

EDIT: Would those who vote for Penn mind sharing their reasoning?

a true gentleman wouldnt even let his servant's kids attend a TTT such as georgeTTTown

But that's only if you're going off the douchey, original, British definition of a gentleman. The American definition of a gentleman would let his kid go to an actual TTT if the conditions were right.

[AreJay711]

EDIT: Would those who vote for Penn mind sharing their reasoning?

a true gentleman wouldnt even let his servant's kids attend a TTT such as georgeTTTown

But that's only if you're going off the douchey, original, British definition of a gentleman. The American definition of a gentleman would let his kid go to an actual TTT if the conditions were right.

A real gentleman wouldn't let his kid go to LS period.

[keg411]

Well I'm glad to see that people agree with my thinking. Why are people voting Penn?

People who didn't read the original post. If you said you wanted BigLaw, I would have voted Penn.

[lisjjen]

EDIT: Would those who vote for Penn mind sharing their reasoning?

a true gentleman wouldnt even let his servant's kids attend a TTT such as georgeTTTown

But that's only if you're going off the douchey, original, British definition of a gentleman. The American definition of a gentleman would let his kid go to an actual TTT if the conditions were right.

A real gentleman wouldn't let his kid go to LS period.

Don't ignore the qualifier of "if the conditions were right." If the right conditions mean having a rich dad in a law firm that's going to pay for your degree and then hire your right after you graduate...

St. Thomas here we come!!!

[justhoping]

Well I'm glad to see that people agree with my thinking. Why are people voting Penn?

well just looking at the poll, 70k @ Penn is not a bad deal compared even to fullride @ GULC, but after reading your original post, your points really all point to GULC, so I voted GULC.

[3ThrowAway99]

... But, theres the "prestige" of Penn, which i agree is hard to pass up (v. GULC)...

GULC.

I think PENN is def the stronger school all other things equal (job placement, ranked higher etc), but in some areas outside of the northeast GULC seems to have at least as much prestige as PENN- including among lawyers. At least where I am now (not a major market, but more than halfway across the country from the east), a practicing lawyer I talked with showed a much stronger name recognition bias for GULC than for PENN when I said I was interested in the possibility of transferring to either of these schools. But that is obviously just one anecdote.

[pasteurizedmilk]

EDIT: Would those who vote for Penn mind sharing their reasoning?

a true gentleman wouldnt even let his servant's kids attend a TTT such as georgeTTTown

Still mad about that rejection eh bro?