Update/SOS WUSTL (full ride) vs. Michigan ($$) vs Penn (WL)

[mightaswell]

Thanks everyone!

[SmokeytheBear]

Hi everyone!

I need help deciding.

Here are my choices:
WUSTL - (currently in negotiations) - 80K COA
Mich (wont play ball) - 140k COA
Penn (I'm hanging out on their waitlist and assuming if I get off I wont get a scholarship) - ~280K COA

About me: I'm originally from STL, but have been living in NY so i'm not married to any geographic location when it comes to where I want to practice and know that I need to be geographically flexible for my career. My goals are unique in that I want to practice as Bioethics Consultant (niche that falls under IP + Health Law). Ultimately I want to be in-house counsel at a government agency (NIH, FDA, etc) or a biotech company. I believe I can achieve this by starting off in Big Law Health Law first to repay my debt or a fellowship/clerkship to give me more expertise if I don't have immense debt.

Anything that isn't covered by the school is coming straight out of student loans.

With those goals, Michigan will give you a better shot at biglaw. You'll take on some debt, but $140k is manageable with two-three years in biglaw.

[guynourmin]

Ultimately I want to be in-house counsel at a government agency (NIH, FDA, etc) or a biotech company. I believe I can achieve this by starting off in Big Law Health Law first to repay my debt

It sounds like you are saying you could do biglaw if you need the money, but you don't have to do biglaw. Are there well-traveled paths to in-house counsel at a government agency (NIH, FDA, etc) or a biotech company that don't involve biglaw?

[nyu2019maybeplease]

Sounds like Michigan would be a great fit. PM me if you have more specific questions.

[existentialcrisis]

Michigan.

[dietcoke1]

Mich

[poptart123]

Michigan

[mightaswell]

Ultimately I want to be in-house counsel at a government agency (NIH, FDA, etc) or a biotech company. I believe I can achieve this by starting off in Big Law Health Law first to repay my debt

It sounds like you are saying you could do biglaw if you need the money, but you don't have to do biglaw. Are there well-traveled paths to in-house counsel at a government agency (NIH, FDA, etc) or a biotech company that don't involve biglaw?

Bioethics Consultant is a really young profession so there really aren't any well-traveled paths. That being said, it seems that various fellowships (ie, the bioethics fellowship at the NIH) are good avenues to getting those kinds of positions.