WUSTL(105K + 1L housing) vs IUB (ft) vs ND (half) Forum

[red8aron]

Additional Info:
1) I am from Indiana and happy to work in Indy, but also happy to work anywhere in the Midwest
2) I have connections with firms in KC and Indy (Both Partners at NLJ250 firms, and both preferred WUSTL)
3) I would like an A3 clerkship, and have an Indy judge who will be a reference for clerk-ships when when I graduate from law school (he advised IUB, but thought WUSTL is a good option)
a)one potential A3 judge (Hamilton) is on IUB's Campus
Feelings: I preferred WUSTL's atmosphere.

[goldeneye]

wustl gives out first year housing stipends for scholarship now? damn i shouldn't have gone when i did.

[wannabelawstudent]

wustl gives out first year housing stipends for scholarship now? damn i shouldn't have gone when i did.

I haven't heard of anyone getting one. OP may just have it paid for some way.

With that being said OP go to IUB.

[TheThriller]

wustl gives out first year housing stipends for scholarship now? damn i shouldn't have gone when i did.

I haven't heard of anyone getting one. OP may just have it paid for some way.

With that being said OP go to IUB.

Whats your rationale?

[JamMasterJ]

Fed clerkships are unlikely at either school, but if you want to maintain a serious connection to the 7th, IUB is probably the better call.

[red8aron]

On the housing discussion, it is part of my financial aid package. WUSTL just renovated a building and designated the units as financial aid for law students (I was offered the award through a negotiating email and Dean Clifford said that I was the first to be offered it).

As for the clerkship possibilities, that is why I posted the question. I don't know how significantly I should weigh the possibility of a clerkship.

I'm guessing I would have a shot at 7th district clerkship with top ~10% grades from IUB because of the judge I know (he has offered to call the district 7 judges he knows, if I apply to clerk for them).

I'm guessing I would have a good shot at the KC firm job with top ~50% grades from WUSTL because I'm on pretty great terms with one of the partners (I interned for a summer and stayed in contact since, he even helped me to file a patent that I wrote). But, he doesn't even see IU as in the same league as WUSTL. In his mind WUSTL is just below Harvard while IU isn't any better than KansasU.
(The above are just my 0L estimates and thus could be grossly optimistic.)

How much harder would it be to get a clerkship from WUSTL, given the continued support of the judge I know?
How important is having contact with A3 judges before you apply to clerk for them?

[wannabelawstudent]

I want this 1L housing.

[hoos89]

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[red8aron]

These can't be the only two options. If you're getting that level offer from WUSTL you've got to have some T14 offers, no? If A3 clerkship is really that important to you, you might want to consider those because I don't think either school puts more than 5% in them (although it sounds like your connections will get you a bit of a bump there).

That said, full ride + 1L housing to WUSTL is not a bad option by any means.

Well, I only have a 3.7/166, plus 135k is closer to ft at WUSTL. As for the T14, I didn't apply to many. I decided against paying 100$ to apply to schools that I probably wouldn't get into and I would probably need to pay 200k to attend. Perhaps it was a bad choice considering this cycle, but I can't see myself taking Cornell, Georgetown or even Northwestern at sticker over the options I have.

[wannabelawstudent]

These can't be the only two options. If you're getting that level offer from WUSTL you've got to have some T14 offers, no? If A3 clerkship is really that important to you, you might want to consider those because I don't think either school puts more than 5% in them (although it sounds like your connections will get you a bit of a bump there).

That said, full ride + 1L housing to WUSTL is not a bad option by any means.

Well, I only have a 3.7/166, plus 135k is closer to ft at WUSTL. As for the T14, I didn't apply to many. I decided against paying 100$ to apply to schools that I probably wouldn't get into and I would probably need to pay 200k to attend. Perhaps it was a bad choice considering this cycle, but I can't see myself taking Cornell, Georgetown or even Northwestern at sticker over the options I have.

Pm'd

[Elston Gunn]

What would be COA at WUSTL? ~100K debt + midwesterner + connections is a great place to be at WUSTL, and I'd definitely say you should go there.

[red8aron]

What would be COA at WUSTL? ~100K debt + midwesterner + connections is a great place to be at WUSTL, and I'd definitely say you should go there.

If I live frugally and get a roommate my 2L and 3L years, then I think I can go for 61,500$ (three years of Unsubsidized Staffords). Though I may have to tap into my couple thousand in savings to make that work. But even living well I don't think I would break 80k.

But perhaps I'm wrong?

[hoos89]

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[red8aron]

You'll probably still need to take out about $75-90k unless you have support from somewhere else or a significant amount of savings (and depending on whether WUSTL ends up giving you 2L and 3L housing). St. Louis is cheap, but not THAT cheap.

You're right it's not a full ride (I apparently didn't get the edit in before you quoted me). You'll be looking at about 40k in tuition. 10k+ in rent (assuming 2L and 3L aren't covered). The rest will be food, utilities, gas, and personal expenses (read: booze). Getting all of that in for 3 years for 10k would be tough, I think.

You're probably right. Without rose colored glasses 80k for WUSTL and 45K for IUB.

[Elston Gunn]

Anyway, WUSTL is easily worth $40K more than IUB.

[romothesavior]

Anyway, WUSTL is easily worth $40K more than IUB.

I agree.

Also, make a poll.

[catlawl]

I think WUSTL is the best choice here. However, stop even trying to factor Article III clerkship placement rates into your decision. Cross that bridge if you finish your first three semesters of law school with a top 5% gpa and law review. Neither IU-B nor WUSTL provide decent clerkship opportunities. According to LST, I-UB places 1% into Article III clerkships. WUSTL is similarly pitiful with a 3.3% placement rate. Even if you have a good connection with a federal judge, you will need top 5% and law review.

An Article III clerkship from these schools, or almost any school, is not something one should plan on doing. It just happens.

[red8aron]

Also, make a poll.

I just added a poll, and I agree that clerkship are pie in the sky. But I figured I would ask since I hand't seen a post with significantly similar circumstances.

EDIT: though, I also have half tuition at Notre Dame if their higher clerkship placement is relevant. I didn't include it originally because of my debt aversion and didn't think it's higher clerkship placement justified the cost.

[romothesavior]

Also, make a poll.

I just added a poll, and I agree that clerkship are pie in the sky. But I figured I would ask since I hand't seen a post with significantly similar circumstances.

EDIT: though, I also have half tuition at Notre Dame if their higher clerkship placement is relevant. I didn't include it originally because of my debt aversion and didn't think it's higher clerkship placement justified the cost.

I PM'd you.

[hoos89]

/

[red8aron]

bump,

I had to reset the poll to add ND, and I'm hoping that I can get a more statistically significant sample size.