GW vs. UIUC vs. WUSTL Forum

[llfurby]

Just curious what the opinions are about GW, UIUC, and WUSTL.
Which one would you pick and most importantly why?
Fairly equivalent $$$ at each.

[Sauer Grapes]

...

[stratocophic]

Just curious what the opinions are about GW, UIUC, and WUSTL.
Which one would you pick and most importantly why?
Fairly equivalent $$$ at each.

Depends on where you want to practice. For Chicago, go with UIUC or WUSTL (whichever gives you the most $). DC, GW. I'd take WUSTL for New York, but that's part personal preference, part kool-aid, and partially the fact that it has a built-in backup market (DC's hurting, so GW's safety net's not as large as it used to be). For the west coast, WUSTL's closer to "national" than the other two but you'd be much better served with USC or UCLA.

[llfurby]

I am an engineering major at SIUC currently.
Looking for something different than Carbondale,which btw is 2 hours from STL and 3 from Champaign.
I am looking to move either east coast or stay in Chicago but fine with either.
Still contemplating IP or Health Law.

[stratocophic]

I am an engineering major at SIUC currently.
Looking for something different than Carbondale,which btw is 2 hours from STL and 3 from Champaign.
I am looking to move either east coast or stay in Chicago but fine with either.
Still contemplating IP or Health Law.

You'll probably want GW or WUSTL for IP. WUSTL will probably give you the most diverse regional options, but not to the extent that you should choose it over GW if they give you less money or you like it less.

[llfurby]

Seems like the voting is going towards WUSTL.
Just because of the ranking or...?

[stratocophic]

Seems like the voting is going towards WUSTL.
Just because of the ranking or...?

WUSTL has been on the rise for the past few years. DC took a big hit because of the economy, and GW may not be the safest bet as a result, but that really holds true for any non-T14 (if you're not interested in PI, that is). Illinois doesn't have a fallback market like WUSTL, but is certainly worth considering if you like Chicago or they give you more money. There just isn't a great deal of separation between the three. GW did better than the other two for last year's class, but that may no longer be true given reports of struggles from Georgetown students (this is indicative of DC law's hiring trouble).

http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNL ... 2443758843

[somewherewarm]

One of the problems with GW is that if you don't get hired at a NY firm then your fall back is DC which GW plays second fiddle to Georgetown in. That is a big "IF" and it is worth noting that GW's IP and patent law programs are well respected. WUSTL would give you the St. Louis market as your backup and its nearest competition (aside from T-14 and a couple regional midwestern powerhouses) would be the U of St. Louis... a school which is NOT on par with WUSTL.

[llfurby]

Visited all three schools...
Love things about each but still no clue.
Any opinions?
Extra Info:
I would like a possibility of a clerkship
I am from southern Illinois and have not lived any where else Kindergarten-College, so I am very nervous about moving to DC

[Emboss]

If you're from the midwest and intend to stay there, definitely Wash U.

As the above poster said, Wash U has been on the rise in terms of US News point values for the past 14 or so years at which point it was ranked about 35. The new dean, Kent Syverud, and the new dean of career services, Mike Spivey, are determined to move the school up in the rankings, and they're both fantastic at their jobs. The institution has an enormous endowment at its disposal, and if one looks at the top law schools, the ones that go up and stay up over time are all part of institutions with very large endowments. The increase in rank/reputation will have all the usual benefits of extra job opportunities, more prestigious job opportunities, etc. In sum, the degree will appreciate in value.

[Puffy]

I wish I had an engineering degree so I can get a well-paying job without the many drawbacks of a lawyer job/ JD.