WUSTL with 120k (no strings) vs Michigan with 45k Forum

[goodolgil]

I was all but committed to Michigan until I got the email an hour ago from WashU. Now, things are complicated.

Not 100% sure yet what I want my career to be after law school.

[Bronte]

I got a similar scholarship from WUSTL. I'm planning to take Michigan sticker, FWIW.

[gmichaelbluth]

Same WashU offer, looking at Michigan sticker. Can't do law school for sticker. I'm planning to visit and see what I think.

[waitingforanswers]

I had the same decision to make last year (I actually created an identical thread about it) and chose Michigan.

[Helmholtz]

IMO Michigan is definitely the best option here, no question. FWIW, I've spoken with recent WUSTL grads. Definitely scared me away.

[Sauer Grapes]

....

[Helmholtz]

I think it depends on your situation. If you want biglaw, go with UMich. If you don't want biglaw, or you want to be in MO, go WashU.

Ehhhh, even if you want to do something like public interest or government, Michigan would be the better option IMO. Academia would be a no-brainer as well. And it's not like you're stuck in biglaw the rest of your life. Go to the better school, work biglaw for a few years, pay off your debt, and enjoy many more open doors down the road with the much more prestigious degree.

[scribelaw]

Michigan all day long.

[goodolgil]

Yeah, I'm leaning with you guys on this one. Also, even though I'm a New Yorker and St. Louis is more of a "major
city, Ann Arbor seems more appealing to me.

[Helmholtz]

Yeah, I'm leaning with you guys on this one. Also, even though I'm a New Yorker and St. Louis is more of a "major
city, Ann Arbor seems more appealing to me.

Yeah, and the change of pace might be nice. AA is a great place. Mich puts more grads in NYC than the entire Midwest combined (certainly can't say that about WUSTL). IMO, the flexibility of a Mich degree is pretty invaluable thing to have.

[jawsthegreat]

I know a WUSTL 3L that graduated from my college and is in the top 10%.

He has no job.

[dakatz]

If it was WUSTL with 120K vs. Michigan at sticker, I'd say WUSTL. But I think the 45K at Michigan makes it a good choice, and the one I'd go with.

[scribelaw]

If it was WUSTL with 120K vs. Michigan at sticker, I'd say WUSTL. But I think the 45K at Michigan makes it a good choice, and the one I'd go with.

Even at sticker, I'd say Michigan, absent special circumstances (family connections, reason to live in St. Louis). There's no comparing the two schools and I'd be worried about WUSTL and trying to compete for scraps from the Chicago market with about six other good law schools ITE.

[ppa840]

similar scholarship from WUSTl, but I am tentatively taking Boalt at sticker

[Helmholtz]

I know a WUSTL 3L that graduated from my college and is in the top 10%.

He has no job.

I've had pretty much the same experiences talking with other WUSTL grads. I think people tend to overestimate the school because of its USNWR spot and possibly its UG + medical school. It's not really significantly different than ND, UIUC, or GWU.

Also +1 to the dude who said that Mich at full price > WUSTL with free tuition.

[Bronte]

I know a WUSTL 3L that graduated from my college and is in the top 10%.

He has no job.

I've had pretty much the same experiences talking with other WUSTL grads. I think people tend to overestimate the school because of its USNWR spot and possibly its UG + medical school. It's not really significantly different than ND, UIUC, or GWU.

Also +1 to the dude who said that Mich at full price > WUSTL with free tuition.

Hey, I said it first, and I'm putting my money where my mouth is! But seriously, I'll see you all at Michigan.

[bignoseknowsnoes]

Michigan would be clear winner even at 2x full tuition vs Woostle free w/a complementary GF (level 9) experience for three years each night after class. Michigan. Choose Michigan.

[roxj]

Keep in mind that COL in the lawyers club is under 11k/yr, so the 45k is your cost of living covered.

[Lieut Kaffee]

Same WashU offer, looking at Michigan sticker. Can't do law school for sticker. I'm planning to visit and see what I think.

I am always intrigued by this comment. I don't feel this way, and it's not like I have any money saved up or any secret way of paying for law school.

[Tangerine Gleam]

Keep in mind that COL in the lawyers club is under 11k/yr, so the 45k is your cost of living covered.

But that's just room and board, right? Usually when schools quote COL (i.e. Michigan quotes 17.5k), it also includes books, transportation, health insurance, etc.

But either way, yes...Michigan is the choice!

[starstruck393]

$45k, while it doesn't seem like much compared to $120k, it still a 1/3 tuition scholarship. Unless you absolutely knew you wanted to work in Missouri for the next 5-10 years, turning down Michigan for $75k really doesn't make sense. That $75k could easily be made up in 1-2 year after graduation given the prospects coming out of both schools, and after that Michigan's edge would be pure profit...