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GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:04 pm
by orab
As of yesterday, I was filling out applications for apartments in Austin. Then, I received this email from GULC last night that I was not expecting. They initially offered me $0 in merit scholarship and for me that was the end of it. I certainly was not expecting to hear back from them.

Now, I have this decision to make and I would like some advice.

I'm interested in Environmental Law and I know that Texas has one of the best programs in the nation but I also would be fine with any other public service opportunities and GULC is a good place for it.

The Scholarship that I've been offered are:

UT 41,500 a year No stipulation
GULG 42,500 a year 15,000 merit 28,500 need.

I've been told that only if there is a drastic change in my family finances, and I don't expect that something like this happens, I will be able to maintain the need scholarship at GULC.

I will say that GULC will end up costing me about 6,000 more than UT over the three years.

I visited Austin and I like it but Washington D.C is also I place that I think I would like.


Any Advice will be greatly appreciated.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:13 pm
by ILoveYou
Where do you want to work? What kind of environment do you want to work in (biglaw, small firm, gov't, what?) You say GULC will end up costing about $6k more--what are your total COA #s for each school?

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:15 pm
by unlicensedpotato
Ignore the environmental thing. Those rankings aren't relevant.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:20 pm
by TLSModBot
Current GULC Student here (disclaimer: I know nothing about UT aside from general rankings stuff):

More info is needed regarding where regionally you want to end up, but I'd say tentatively 'go with UT'

Reasons:

1. GULC does not have anything particularly fantastic regarding Environmental Law. GULC has good public service stuff with clinics and whatnot but I don't think it's a make-or-break advantage over UT.

2. That need-based scholarship might change or disappear. Ya never know.

3. The different in rankings between GULC and UT are negligible. GULC may cling to the t14 rep but UT is a solid school. If you're looking at national portability for your degree, GULC has a slight edge both in hiring and in brand recognition, but I don't *think* UT is really far behind on either.

4. DC is considerably more expensive than Austin. Also, GULC's location in DC gives you little advantage in local hiring - I think UT would be much better at hiring in Texas than GULC in DC.

EDIT: Don't listen to me about UT portability. GULC has decent portability in major markets but not great in Texas.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:28 pm
by Ron Don Volante
ut student here. Not knowing anything else about your situation:

If you want to be in Texas long term (or a state bordering/in the general region (bless your heart, if so)), UT hands down.

If your long term goals do not involve Texas, GTown. Or retake.

Generally, don't go to UT unless you are seriously committed to being in Texas for at least several years following grad. Doesn't make sense to do it, otherwise.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 2:59 pm
by jbagelboy
I'm impressed by the financial aid Georgetown's been shoveling out this cycle.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 3:07 pm
by TheodoreKGB
.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 3:46 pm
by orab
TheodoreKGB wrote:Someone in the Georgetown c/o 2018 thread said that when offered need and merit aid you only receive the larger of the two. I would email the fin aid office to check that out.
Thanks, I checked with the Financial Office and the email actually said the total, which is the sum of merit and need.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 3:49 pm
by Dog
So the GULC student says UT, and the UT student says GULC unless you want to work in Texas.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 3:51 pm
by BigZuck
If I'm reading it right (and maybe I'm not), it sounds like the OP isn't from TX and might not even have ties to the state.

Georgetown seems like a no brainer here. The only way UT would make sense would be if you wanted PI in TX. But if you want PI anywhere else or big law anywhere (including in TX) then Georgetown is a better choice IMO.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 3:56 pm
by BigZuck
zacharus85 wrote:Current GULC Student here (disclaimer: I know nothing about UT aside from general rankings stuff):

More info is needed regarding where regionally you want to end up, but I'd say tentatively 'go with UT'

Reasons:

1. GULC does not have anything particularly fantastic regarding Environmental Law. GULC has good public service stuff with clinics and whatnot but I don't think it's a make-or-break advantage over UT.

2. That need-based scholarship might change or disappear. Ya never know.

3. The different in rankings between GULC and UT are negligible. GULC may cling to the t14 rep but UT is a solid school. If you're looking at national portability for your degree, GULC has a slight edge both in hiring and in brand recognition, but I don't *think* UT is really far behind on either.

4. DC is considerably more expensive than Austin. Also, GULC's location in DC gives you little advantage in local hiring - I think UT would be much better at hiring in Texas than GULC in DC.

EDIT: Don't listen to me about UT portability. GULC has decent portability in major markets but not great in Texas.
Why do you say GULC doesn't do well in TX? That's not the sense I've had from speaking to young GULC associates working in TX. Also, I know at least one of the major firms this year has just as many GULC as UT students in their SA class. I feel confident saying it was easier for the GULC kids to get that offer than it was for the UT kids.

I'm kind of doubting UT has near the portability of GULC. To get NYC big law, you need to be in the top 15ish% it seems. Wouldn't NYC firms dip to median at GULC?

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 3:59 pm
by orab
zacharus85 wrote:Current GULC Student here (disclaimer: I know nothing about UT aside from general rankings stuff):

More info is needed regarding where regionally you want to end up, but I'd say tentatively 'go with UT'

Reasons:

1. GULC does not have anything particularly fantastic regarding Environmental Law. GULC has good public service stuff with clinics and whatnot but I don't think it's a make-or-break advantage over UT.
Agreed

2. That need-based scholarship might change or disappear. Ya never know.
Spoke with the Financial Aid Office, they said is guaranteed , I will send and email to have this on writing. They said that this is the minimum I will get in the future.

3. The different in rankings between GULC and UT are negligible. GULC may cling to the t14 rep but UT is a solid school. If you're looking at national portability for your degree, GULC has a slight edge both in hiring and in brand recognition, but I don't *think* UT is really far behind on either.
This is why is so hard. They are very close to me
4. DC is considerably more expensive than Austin. Also, GULC's location in DC gives you little advantage in local hiring - I think UT would be much better at hiring in Texas than GULC in DC.
I'm planning to go visit next week. I will be checking on rent prices. Any suggestions?

EDIT: Don't listen to me about UT portability. GULC has decent portability in major markets but not great in Texas.
Thank you for your input

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 4:03 pm
by Johann
GULC. The weird jobs you are going to want are more prevalent in DC.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 4:20 pm
by AreJay711
JohannDeMann wrote:GULC. The weird jobs you are going to want are more prevalent in DC.
Yep. If you do want to work in Texas, the ties can be manufactured through summer work.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 4:26 pm
by ScottPilgrimv.TheLaw
orab wrote:As of yesterday, I was filling out applications for apartments in Austin. Then, I received this email from GULC last night that I was not expecting. They initially offered me $0 in merit scholarship and for me that was the end of it. I certainly was not expecting to hear back from them.

Now, I have this decision to make and I would like some advice.

I'm interested in Environmental Law and I know that Texas has one of the best programs in the nation but I also would be fine with any other public service opportunities and GULC is a good place for it.

The Scholarship that I've been offered are:

UT 41,500 a year No stipulation
GULG 42,500 a year 15,000 merit 28,500 need.

I've been told that only if there is a drastic change in my family finances, and I don't expect that something like this happens, I will be able to maintain the need scholarship at GULC.

I will say that GULC will end up costing me about 6,000 more than UT over the three years.

I visited Austin and I like it but Washington D.C is also I place that I think I would like.


Any Advice will be greatly appreciated.
Sat in on the Environmental & Energy Law info session at ASD. It's a really good program with good ties back to DC, and all of the people interested in Environment Law were really impressed with it. The clinics for it are top notch as far as client experience and placement at agencies in TX.

I spoke with a GULC older alum that day. They said that UT was definitely a happier place to spend the four years (I'm not sure if you've lived on the east coast or DC in particular before, but its no one's idea of warm or non-competitive), but the portability of the GTown degree had worked out for them in moving to back to Austin with strong existing ties.

I like DC. I like Austin. As stated above, choose based on home region; both are somewhat portable and yet trumped by schools higher in the T14. Just don't forget Cost of Living and y'know where you actually want to BE LIVING.

ETA: Also consider if you want to forever focus on saving trees or if a law school switch to oil & gas regulation could be in your future.

Re: GULC OR UT

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 4:33 pm
by ScottPilgrimv.TheLaw
Oh, and it's not too late to see about UT matching aid unless you've already mailed that request.