American (sticker) vs. Catholic ($$) Forum

[Scarletlady]

I was accepted into the PT program at both schools. I am 99% sure I will get no merit aid from American and have received a really good package from Catholic. Is the ranking difference enough reason to pay substantially more? Are the job prospects coming out of American that much better than Catholic?

I will be visiting admitted students days at both and hopefully sitting in on an evening class before seat deposits are due.

[ZXCVBNM]

depends on what you want to do but probably better to pay less in this economy

[thepcv]

There are definitely some missing variables here. What sort of law do you think you're interested in? Gov't? PI? Int'l? etc...

[Scarletlady]

There are definitely some missing variables here. What sort of law do you think you're interested in? Gov't? PI? Int'l? etc...

Political and Campaign Finance Law, so I could swing either way on Gov’t work versus BigLaw. My interest is in a very small portion of law, which is why I’m going PT so I can continue working in the field and maintaining professional contact with key people. To the best of my knowledge, CUA doesn’t even offer a class in the field and American only has one class.

I also think to some extent I can’t get over the Tier 1/Tier 2 distinctions between the schools.

[mmiracle]

I am in the same situation as you-- WL at GMU, so AU & CUA are my top two choices, with almost a full ride at CUA. Can't justify paying sticker at AU, so leaning toward CUA. Planning on going to visit both this weekend as well! Good luck with your decision!

[Richie Tenenbaum]

Go with limiting debt, the difference between the two does not warrant the huge cost differential.

[Scarletlady]

Thanks for everyone's input. You are all echoing what I was feeling overall. CUA just upped my scholly too. I haven't seen my financial aid from AU yet, but I imagine it won't be enough to change my mind.