WUSTL c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013) Forum

[JCougar]

Has anybody bought anything fun or unusual since getting the full ride?

I bought a 21 year old bottle of Glenlivet for $135. I was going to go with Balvenie, but I couldn't stomach the $209 price tag. The Glenlivet is still pretty fucking good though.

You should have gone with Laphroaig 15. Half the price, twice the flavor. Of course, you have to like the taste of campfire in your mouth.

[MKC]

Has anybody bought anything fun or unusual since getting the full ride?

I bought a 21 year old bottle of Glenlivet for $135. I was going to go with Balvenie, but I couldn't stomach the $209 price tag. The Glenlivet is still pretty fucking good though.

You should have gone with Laphroaig 15. Half the price, twice the flavor. Of course, you have to like the taste of campfire in your mouth.

My uncle described it as "like drinking a cigar"

[WokeUpInACar]

Had to turn down the full ride, so sad Grateful for such unbelievably awesome options though. I love you guys!

[Presidentjlh]

Had to turn down the full ride, so sad Grateful for such unbelievably awesome options though. I love you guys!

Best wishes to you in your endeavors and what not.

[ccb13]

Had to turn down the full ride, so sad Grateful for such unbelievably awesome options though. I love you guys!

If you want to pass that full ride over here I won't complain. I think that's how it works, right? Best of luck.

[Fiona91216]

Anyone gonna be in STL this weekend? Finally apartment hunting!

PS- WUSTL full ride trumps Cornell at sticker... right? RIGHT?!

[DoveBodyWash]

Anyone gonna be in STL this weekend? Finally apartment hunting!

PS- WUSTL full ride trumps Cornell at sticker... right? RIGHT?!

LOL yes

[Presidentjlh]

Anyone gonna be in STL this weekend? Finally apartment hunting!

PS- WUSTL full ride trumps Cornell at sticker... right? RIGHT?!

But, of course.

[Dolphine]

Anyone gonna be in STL this weekend? Finally apartment hunting!

PS- WUSTL full ride trumps Cornell at sticker... right? RIGHT?!

I mean, I'm not gonna lie, cornell has some pretty impressive employment numbers. (http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=cornell). But, then you realize the best outcome is 160k salary in NYC and 270k in debt and it quickly changes things.

[Green317]

Wow, another person who needs reassurance that a full ride at WUSTL is a better option than Cornell at sticker? I thought I was the only one, haha.

[DoveBodyWash]

But, then you realize the best outcome is 160k salary in NYC and 270k in debt and it quickly changes things.

[Homelandsagreatshow]

BEST outcome MIGHT be better than that in a few years....but doubtful.

[jdb2013]

Is wustl full ride still better if big law in NYC is your end goal?

[Green317]

I know, I can't even being to wrap my mind around having that much debt! I have looked into the LRAP option, but that just gives me a headache, and it's hardly a cure for debt woes -- it just seems to drag the debt out longer, and ensure that you will be struggling to make ends meet for the next 25 years.

[Dolphine]

Is wustl full ride still better if big law in NYC is your end goal?

Depends on how much you want that. If you're NYC big law or bust/anything besides NYC big law and I'm a failure, then go to Cornell.

I know, I can't even being to wrap my mind around having that much debt! I have looked into the LRAP option, but that just gives me a headache, and it's hardly a cure for debt woes -- it just seems to drag the debt out longer, and ensure that you will be struggling to make ends meet for the next 25 years.

Honestly, If you want a job that would even qualify for LRAP (unless I'm misunderstanding the LRAP), you're better off going to WUSTL and enjoying the no debt. With LRAP you still have to make some pretty big monthly payments (relative to your lower income) rather than just pocketing that.

[DoveBodyWash]

For the people who think that the story ends after you get a BigLaw offer at a T14 while paying sticker..

Excerpt from:
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0#p6849827

As it is, if I get no-offered or laid off early on in my career, I'm in deep financial trouble. The vast majority of people who enter biglaw leave within a few years. I don't care if your school has 100% employment rate; statistically, you're gone in a few years. Don't assume you're special.

Is wustl full ride still better if big law in NYC is your end goal?

I mean..i honestly can't imagine myself ever wanting/needing NYC BigLaw so badly that I'd be willing to incur sticker debt to have it.

[Presidentjlh]

Also know that big law involves backbreaking hours to stay in it when you start. Lot of people flame out early on.

[dougfunny]

Is wustl full ride still better if big law in NYC is your end goal?

It is definitely possible to get there from WUSTL, but it is by no means a guarantee. Do you have any connections in NYC? What is your LSAT score and how many times have you taken it? If you are NYC or bust, it might be worth it to take a year off and retake the LSAT and try to get into a T14 with some $$.

[jdb2013]

Is wustl full ride still better if big law in NYC is your end goal?

It is definitely possible to get there from WUSTL, but it is by no means a guarantee. Do you have any connections in NYC? What is your LSAT score and how many times have you taken it? If you are NYC or bust, it might be worth it to take a year off and retake the LSAT and try to get into a T14 with some $$.

Yes I have NYC connections, scored 175 first time, 2.x GPa at time of application, 3.x now.

[Green317]

I wonder what the law school admissions experience would be like if the USNWR rankings didn't exist....the influence they have over every aspect of the process is ridiculous. They negatively influence the decisions made by students, luring them into huge debt to attend a school of marginally higher ranking, and lead law schools to engage in all kinds of shady behavior to maintain or improve their rankings. Now USNWR is even ranking high schools.....this fixation with ranking in education is completely out of control!

[Presidentjlh]

I wonder what the law school admissions experience would be like if the USNWR rankings didn't exist....the influence they have over every aspect of the process is ridiculous. They negatively influence the decisions made by students, luring them into huge debt to attend a school of marginally higher ranking, and lead law schools to engage in all kinds of shady behavior to maintain or improve their rankings. Now USNWR is even ranking high schools.....this fixation with ranking in education is completely out of control!

Meh, it was all bound to happen anyways. It's not just the rankings that they're focused on. It's squeezing money out of students.

[jdmonkey]

Anyone gonna be in STL this weekend? Finally apartment hunting!

PS- WUSTL full ride trumps Cornell at sticker... right? RIGHT?!

I mean, I'm not gonna lie, cornell has some pretty impressive employment numbers. (http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=cornell). But, then you realize the best outcome is 160k salary in NYC and 270k in debt and it quickly changes things.

Don't forget about NYC and NY State taxes in addition to the ones we all have to pay federal, payroll, social security, etc. 160k becomes around 80 to 85 after taxes in NYC. Assuming you wanted to live like a complete hobo and spend half your salary to pay off loans you would have to work in big law for 6 to 7 years to break even. Don't forget that with the 80-100 hours a week your (pay/hours worked) will be less than a unionized NYC Sanitation employee. You cannot deduct student loan payments from your salary for tax purposes.

[RedGiant]

Anyone gonna be in STL this weekend? Finally apartment hunting!

PS- WUSTL full ride trumps Cornell at sticker... right? RIGHT?!

I mean, I'm not gonna lie, cornell has some pretty impressive employment numbers. (http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=cornell). But, then you realize the best outcome is 160k salary in NYC and 270k in debt and it quickly changes things.

Don't forget about NYC and NY State taxes in addition to the ones we all have to pay federal, payroll, social security, etc. 160k becomes around 80 to 85 after taxes in NYC. Assuming you wanted to live like a complete hobo and spend half your salary to pay off loans you would have to work in big law for 6 to 7 years to break even. Don't forget that with the 80-100 hours a week your (pay/hours worked) will be less than a unionized NYC Sanitation employee. You cannot deduct student loan payments from your salary for tax purposes.

Posting this calculator/chart re Biglaw COLA. It's eye-opening.

Also would like to add that I am an old. I lived through the downturn of 2009 in biglaw. I knew a lot of laid-off first years. It was terrifying. Some of them bounced back, and some of them were doc review monkeys until they took no-JD-required jobs. Absolutely horrifying. I personally am choosing a T30 with $$ over some higher ranked schools at sticker because I knew I'd sleep better at night. Your risk tolerance is up to you.

http://www.nalp.org/buying_power_index_class_of_2010

[sublime]

..

[Unoriginalist]

Got a cheap apartment right across from the Basilica. Really looking forward to attending Mass there, it looks gorgeous.

Went last time I was in town to sign for an apartment - not only gorgeous building, but the Mass was phenomenal too (perhaps I was just lucky with a visiting priest, though)

Moving down August 9 or 10. Working full time until then.

I'm a bit worried about moving and settling in all the week before orientation. Oh well. Dm;fr.