WUSTL v. IUB Forum

[DoveBodyWash]

Non-TLS friend is trying to make this decision and would appreciate some input.
(Not open to re-take)

2.6/167 from Big State UG, COA figures included and calculated using GULC's calculator

Has negotiated with both schools already and both have given him one bump. Planning on sending WUSTL the increased IUB offer, but not sure how likely an increase is given that he's already gotten one bump.

WUSTL with 84k scholly
Estimated COA: 135k
http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=washu

IUB with 114k scholly
Estimated COA: 95k
http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=indiana

-Ties to midwest, but not Missouri or Indiana
-Two years of non-legal work experience
-No market preference
-Not necessarily gunning for BigLaw but would appreciate the money/experience (obviously this will change if he needs BigLaw to pay off debt)
-Interested in becoming a university/law school administrator at some point
-Leaning towards WUSTL

[BigZuck]

If we say "Neither. Retake or don't go" is he going to yell at us or are you going to do that for him?

[DoveBodyWash]

If we say "Neither. Retake or don't go" is he going to yell at us or are you going to do that for him?

lol no that's fine, I think that's a valid response. But it would be appreciated if people included a "If-i-had-a-gun-to-my-head-then..." response as well

[rad lulz]

"Neither. Retake or don't go"

[sublime]

..

[WokeUpInACar]

I mean, WUSTL at that price isn't *that* bad, and I don't think a higher LSAT would really accomplish much except MAYBE grant him the privilege of paying sticker at Northwestern or something.

[romothesavior]

I think that WUSTL is worth 40k more than IUB as long as your friend is not particularly debt averse.

I think this as well, but that's a lot of debt from either school.

[DoveBodyWash]

I mean, WUSTL at that price isn't *that* bad, and I don't think a higher LSAT would really accomplish much except MAYBE grant him the privilege of paying sticker at Northwestern or something.

Yeah this is his primary concern with re-taking...it might open up some T14s, but they would almost certainly be at sticker.

I think that WUSTL is worth 40k more than IUB as long as your friend is not particularly debt averse.

I think this as well, but that's a lot of debt from either school.

Do you think the difference in placement justifies the higher price at WUSTL?

[sublime]

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[romothesavior]

Yes, but I don't think I'd recommend taking out 135k debt at WUSTL. And that's coming from someone who took out like 130k (kind of on accident) and thinks it was too much.

[sublime]

..

[Dr. Dre]

If I were your friend i'd retake and try to get more $ from WUSTL. I'd do that so I'd be able to kick it with romothesavior.

[jbagelboy]

if you want a "gun to my head" response, WUSTL

[RedGiant]

I agree that is a lot of debt, but...if this kid is smart enough to get a 167, he or she can get a "regular" non-law job if law doesn't work out. Plenty of b-schoolers take on 120K all the time. I would pick WUSTL over IUB, but that's only bc general reputation is better, degree is more portable. Getting a higher LSAT is not going to change prospects significantly unless he or she finds a very splitter-friendly school, so if it's law school or bust, pick the better law school, IMHO.

[romothesavior]

Yes, but I don't think I'd recommend taking out 135k debt at WUSTL. And that's coming from someone who took out like 130k (kind of on accident) and thinks it was too much.

Is yours after or before interest.

I believe the figures in the OP are after interest, which would make it less bad.

And that GPA is going to kill him, as others have said, all he could likely do is retake to pay sticker, or close to it at a better school. Unfortunately, it seems like he may be just about at his ceiling.

After interest, I'm right around 130k in law school debt. Actually it might be closer to 140k, I haven't looked at it recently.

Three years ago, this big push to make people calculate their interest accumulation wasn't really a thing on TLS. I basically was like "Well, WUSTL costs about 60k per year, minus a 75k scholarship, and I'll live frugally and save my SA money... should be right around 100k and some change, maybe 110-120k." Nope. For one thing, I wasn't honest with myself about how I'd live after I got my SA. I've spent a lot more money this year and last year than I anticipated. And I didn't really take the time to break down the interest and how much that would add up.

[lukertin]

I'm not sure how a $85k scholly will incur him $135k worth of debt at wustl, even accounting for tuition increases.

I had a smaller scholarship there and came away with $50k.

[sublime]

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[sublime]

..

[lukertin]

I'm not sure how a $85k scholly will incur him $135k worth of debt at wustl, even accounting for tuition increases.

I had a smaller scholarship there and came away with $50k.

How? I was offered 120 and am planning for 75-100 after interest. I mean, even with a job... care to share any tips?

I had savings from pre-LS job...just like the guy in the OP should have. There's no reason to incur that much debt.

[sublime]

..

[RAWR]

There are obviously drawbacks to either, but that said, I think your friend is looking at bigger scholarships than he probably expected with that GPA. Also, something that he won't necessarily know is that there are MANY more active members of TLS that attend WUSTL than IUB.

That being said, I'm not attending either, and I vote WUSTL.

[rad lulz]

,

[abc987]

Has your friend tried negotiating?

I'm enrolling in IUB after turning down a scholarship from WUSTL that was similar to what your friend was offered. IUB's responsiveness to negotiation is a major reason for my decision. I'd recommend that your friend be upfront with both schools about his offers and decision-making process.

I don't know what the right decision is for your friend, but in addition to factoring in the money I'd make sure your friend has thought through other important factors. Is your friend excited about faculty members from either school? Is your friend eager to get to know and learn from peers at one school more than the other? I'd center the decision on underlying school preference unless the financial offers are really far apart in a way that will influence your friend's future choices or quality of life. And if there are differences in future choices or quality of life, I'd weigh aversion to those limitations against the advantages that cause any underlying preference.

[RAWR]

Has your friend tried negotiating?

I'm enrolling in UIB after turning down a scholarship from WUSTL that was similar to what your friend was offered. UIB's responsiveness to negotiation is a major reason for my decision. I'd recommend that your friend be upfront with both schools about his offers and decision-making process.

I don't know what the right decision is for your friend, but in addition to factoring in the money I'd make sure your friend has thought through other important factors. Is your friend excited about faculty members from either school? Is your friend eager to get to know and learn from peers at one school more than the other? I'd center the decision on underlying school preference unless the financial offers are really far apart in a way that will influence your friend's future choices or quality of life. And if there are differences in future choices or quality of life, I'd weigh aversion to those limitations against the advantages that cause any underlying preference.

Lololol it's IU. Not UI. Honeybunches getcho facts straight. You're GOING THERE!

[abc987]

Lololol it's IU. Not UI. Honeybunches getcho facts straight. You're GOING THERE!

Geez, this isn't even the first time I've made that mistake. I don't know what is wrong with me.