WUSTL ($$$) v. W&M ($) v. UVA (sticker)?
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:13 pm
Washington U in St. Louis gave me about 85% tuition in merit scholarship, while W&M gave me about $12K. Neither have gpa requirements or any other strings attached. After factoring in the scholarships and my Virginia residency, WM would leave me at least $70K in debt while WUSTL is about $30K or less. As for UVA, I'm currently WL but I wanted to throw it in here anyway. Assuming that WL = no scholarship, is the UVA at sticker is over 50K/yr.
My interests are in commercial real estate and urban economic development. Obviously want a great paying job when I graduate but I'm not a biglaw or my world is over type.
I'm drawn to WUSTL because the clinical programs and upper level curriculum are more reflective of my interests and the school gives off a more liberal, academically adventurous vibe. WM seems very conservative and I'm not thrilled about the idea of spending my early twenties next to colonial Williamsburg. I also like that WUSTL potentially leaves me more open to other markets, as I think a lot of WM grads are competing for the same mid & south-atlantic jobs.
On the other hand, I am most interested in working in DC and wonder if I'm passing up networking opportunities in the area by going to WUSTL instead of WM. I'm a DC Metro area native so I do have a few connects myself, but nothing is as good as proximity- right?
Do the DC networking opportunities of WM outweigh the scholarship money, t-20 rep and my perceived greater happiness at WUSTL? If I get off the WL at UVA, is it worth paying full price?
Other things about me:
ivy undergrad if that makes any difference, latina
My interests are in commercial real estate and urban economic development. Obviously want a great paying job when I graduate but I'm not a biglaw or my world is over type.
I'm drawn to WUSTL because the clinical programs and upper level curriculum are more reflective of my interests and the school gives off a more liberal, academically adventurous vibe. WM seems very conservative and I'm not thrilled about the idea of spending my early twenties next to colonial Williamsburg. I also like that WUSTL potentially leaves me more open to other markets, as I think a lot of WM grads are competing for the same mid & south-atlantic jobs.
On the other hand, I am most interested in working in DC and wonder if I'm passing up networking opportunities in the area by going to WUSTL instead of WM. I'm a DC Metro area native so I do have a few connects myself, but nothing is as good as proximity- right?
Do the DC networking opportunities of WM outweigh the scholarship money, t-20 rep and my perceived greater happiness at WUSTL? If I get off the WL at UVA, is it worth paying full price?
Other things about me:
ivy undergrad if that makes any difference, latina