Top Law Schools

Posted a few of these vs. ?s before, and coming down to the final round-up.

BC ($20k/yr)
GW ($16k/yr)
At the end of the day I should owe $50-60k more leaving GW than I would at BC ($150k BC at start of 10-yr repayment plan vs $200k GW at start of 10-yr repayment plan.) Please no arguing these #s, I have not included every variable attached to choosing between these schools on purpose, really want to focus on cost vs. employment prospects.

NU -WL
Vandy- WL
UCLA - WL

I am interested in transactional work (with some interest in litigation from paralegal experience), preferably Biglaw.

Why DC: I live in DC currently and have a good relationship with hiring partners at a biglaw firm with offices in DC/NYC (so with top 20% at GW I would expect at least an interview). Also have experience at local start-up that with experience at a biglaw firm I could potentially return to. I live with my gf currently, and she works here in govt getting paid well (she is trying to get off the GW PT WL now) Safety net here is small given high COA though, calculated I would need to make at least $75k to support min 10 yr loan payments, and this is paying everything but absolute necessities to loans.

Why BC: I am from Boston area and will have greater parental support there since my parents own a business in Boston. Basically with family around and lower price my safety net is greater. (estimate I need to make at least $65k to support min 10 yr loan payments).

Given the limited advantage GW has at DC/NY biglaw, would you choose the least expensive option(BC)? or would you choose the high-risk potential high-reward option(GW)? I am a proponent of taking risks to gain success, but I have a lingering feeling that GW is not just a risk it is a poor business decision at my COA.

Thanks for the help from all the regular posters, sorry to pile on another comparison. If only NU could of said yes last week instead of dinging me to the WL.

Sounds like this is a personal decision. Since you have lived in both Boston and DC, which do you like more? If I were you I would pick what I consider is the lower-risk option and go BC.

The Rover wrote:Sounds like this is a personal decision. Since you have lived in both Boston and DC, which do you like more? If I were you I would pick what I consider is the lower-risk option and go BC.

Thanks for the response and the advice. I have motivations to go to both cities, that in all honesty cancel out.

I am hanging on the idea that a GW degree will take me back to Boston easier than a BC degree will take me out of Boston. Because of this, I see the GW degree providing more biglaw opportunity. I just need to decide whether this increased opportunity is worth $60k. Or whether reducing my opportunity at NYC/DC biglaw from GW is worth it for greater financial flexibility at BC (given I really have only a 1 in 5 chance for biglaw at either school).

Rex777 wrote:

The Rover wrote:Sounds like this is a personal decision. Since you have lived in both Boston and DC, which do you like more? If I were you I would pick what I consider is the lower-risk option and go BC.

Thanks for the response and the advice. I have motivations to go to both cities, that in all honesty cancel out.

I am hanging on the idea that a GW degree will take me back to Boston easier than a BC degree will take me out of Boston. Because of this, I see the GW degree providing more biglaw opportunity. I just need to decide whether this increased opportunity is worth $60k. Or whether reducing my opportunity at NYC/DC biglaw from GW is worth it for greater financial flexibility at BC (given I really have only a 1 in 5 chance for biglaw at either school).

What makes you so sure GW will provide a better Biglaw opportunity? http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNL ... slreturn=1

D.C. might be out of the question with BC, but is NY really more plausible from GW? From recent alumni I've talked to, people who want NY from BC still seem to be able to get it IF they have the grades.

Rex777 wrote:

The Rover wrote:Sounds like this is a personal decision. Since you have lived in both Boston and DC, which do you like more? If I were you I would pick what I consider is the lower-risk option and go BC.

Thanks for the response and the advice. I have motivations to go to both cities, that in all honesty cancel out.

I am hanging on the idea that a GW degree will take me back to Boston easier than a BC degree will take me out of Boston. Because of this, I see the GW degree providing more biglaw opportunity. I just need to decide whether this increased opportunity is worth $60k. Or whether reducing my opportunity at NYC/DC biglaw from GW is worth it for greater financial flexibility at BC (given I really have only a 1 in 5 chance for biglaw at either school).

I have never seen a GW grad in Boston. There are very, very few BC in DC (but they are there). BC provides more bigfirm opportunity overall, but it will most likely leave you in Boston or NY unless you kill it. GW will stick you in DC or NY with a slightly less opportunity overall for bigfirm work.

TL;DR: GW for DC; BC for Boston or NY.