Notre Dame w/ 50% Scholarship vs. GWU at Sticker Price Forum

[DustyfootPhilospher]

So I was admited into Notre Dame law school with a 50% scholarship. I was also recently granted admission for George Wash. Law. Both schools are ranked side by side, but I feel tha GWU seems to be more prestigious. This is just my perspective, but please give me your input if you have a different point of view. I would much prefer the location of GW over ND, because its in a big city (DC) as opposed to a small college town. If I went to ND I would most likely end up working in Chicago, and with GW I would probably go to DC or maybe NYC. I wouldn't mind working in Chicago, but I probably prefer DC or NY slightly more. Also I would like to move back home to Miami eventually so I am looking for the school with the most national reach. Financially it seems to make more sense to go to ND, but I can't shake the feeling that GW would give me significantly better job prospects. I think that recruiters from large corporate firms scout out GW much more than ND. In order to offset the cost of going to GW I was thinking about enrolling in their part-time program and working. I work in consulting right now, so I am pretty sure I could get a job paying at least 50K while in law school, I just don't know if that will allow me to pay off anywhere near the amount that the 50% ND scholarship would provide. Any insight on the general perception of the 2 law schools, the financial benefit of doing a pt GW program vs. 50% fulltime at ND, or job prospects from either school in corporate law would be great. Thanks.

Dustyfootphilosopher

[imbored25]

imo nd has a bigger national rep than gw ,their grads seem to be spread out across the nation, and they have a very strong alumni network

[keg411]

Don't pay sticker. Go to ND because of the $$$.

However, based on your post it sounds like you want people to tell you to go to GW.

[DustyfootPhilospher]

Yeah, I know its really superficial, but I have to admit that the prestige factor does play a role, even though I'm trying not let it be a deciding factor. But yes, I do think it sounds better to say I went to GWU instead of ND.

[vanwinkle]

Notre Dame has far better lay prestige than GWU.

[keg411]

Notre Dame has far better lay prestige than GWU.

I was going to say... GW doesn't have lay prestige. Also, OP, lay prestige is an AWFUL reason to choose a law school and would be a $100k error in your case..

[PlugInBaby]

Simple question: Are all the things you like about GW worth paying the extra money you would be saving by going to ND?

Btw love your SN, K'Naan is my favorite rapper.

[miamiman]

I don't have to read the body of your msg. Go to ND

[clintonius]

I agree with everybody else here. Notre Dame is the way to go. GWU has little lay prestige and you're getting more money elsewhere.

[Barolo]

They're all right -- ND has more lay prestige (a dumb reason to pick a school) and ND gave you serious money (a great reason to pick a school).

[ArtVandelay]

So I was admited into Notre Dame law school with a 50% scholarship. I was also recently granted admission for George Wash. Law. Both schools are ranked side by side, but I feel tha GWU seems to be more prestigious. This is just my perspective, but please give me your input if you have a different point of view. I would much prefer the location of GW over ND, because its in a big city (DC) as opposed to a small college town. If I went to ND I would most likely end up working in Chicago, and with GW I would probably go to DC or maybe NYC. I wouldn't mind working in Chicago, but I probably prefer DC or NY slightly more. Also I would like to move back home to Miami eventually so I am looking for the school with the most national reach. Financially it seems to make more sense to go to ND, but I can't shake the feeling that GW would give me significantly better job prospects. I think that recruiters from large corporate firms scout out GW much more than ND. In order to offset the cost of going to GW I was thinking about enrolling in their part-time program and working. I work in consulting right now, so I am pretty sure I could get a job paying at least 50K while in law school, I just don't know if that will allow me to pay off anywhere near the amount that the 50% ND scholarship would provide. Any insight on the general perception of the 2 law schools, the financial benefit of doing a pt GW program vs. 50% fulltime at ND, or job prospects from either school in corporate law would be great. Thanks.

Dustyfootphilosopher

Prestige:
ND>>>>>>>>GW

Location:
GW>>>>>>>>>>>>ND

National Reach:
ND>>>>>GW

Cost:
ND>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>GW

[Azmatt]

Play like a champion already...

[KMaine]

Nobody is impressed by GW.

[miamiman]

Nobody is impressed by GW.

Kids at Catholic surely are

[romothesavior]

Notre Dame because of the money and the portability, hands down. Not only do you have the scholarship, but the COL will be far lower. They also have decent portability.

(ZOMG ROMO IS SUCH AN ANTI-ND TROLL WAAAAAAAH!!!!)

[stratocophic]

Notre Dame because of the money and the portability, hands down. Not only do you have the scholarship, but the COL will be far lower. They also have decent portability.

(ZOMG ROMO IS SUCH AN ANTI-ND TROLL WAAAAAAAH!!!!)

Seriously, OP. Each keystroke in romo's post probably felt like a pulled tooth. Take this one seriously.

[miamiman]

Notre Dame because of the money and the portability, hands down. Not only do you have the scholarship, but the COL will be far lower. They also have decent portability.

(ZOMG ROMO IS SUCH AN ANTI-ND TROLL WAAAAAAAH!!!!)

u mad?

[TheBigMediocre]

Plus, I think the acquisition of Brian Kelly is really going to help ND skyrocket in the ranks in the coming years.

[Geist13]

ND COA: $57,505 - 20k(half tuition)= $37,505 x 3 years = $112,515

GW COA: $70,449 x 3 years = $211,347

GW PT COA: $57,140 x 4 years = $228,560*

ND NLJ250 placement: 28.8% of class

GW NLJ250 placement: 31.6% of class

ND monthly loan payment: $1,340.25

GW monthly loan payment: $2,565.63

GW monthly loan payment: $2,779.04

I think those numbers scream for themselves. I think it's a hard decision between the two at sticker (since ND is still 40K cheaper). With half tuition it's a no brainer.

edited to include PT numbers

[rayiner]

Go to ND for the prestige.

[ze2151]

Romo isn't the only anti ND troll who's going to give you this opinion. My entire family (except for me) consists of Penn State grads. Make no mistake. We hate ND. It's a smug factory in the middle of nowhere that's so far up it's own rear it can't figure out the entire country is mocking it.

But EVERYONE knows what Notre Dame is, what it's all about, and that it's a terrific school. Part of the reason ND takes flak is because it is self-righteous, but in a way it has a right to be. Demanding, uncompromising academics (outside the Lou Holtz era) and a great place to go to school. Alums love their own, too.

I had never heard of GWU before I started investigating law schools. You must be from the DC area to think it is more prestigious than ND.

Also factor in COA in South Bend, IN, where a room will go for probably 500/month as opposed to Beltway prices.

It's official. You're a golden domer. And I hate you. (just kidding. Congratulations on the great 'ship!)

[van]

Notre Dame is the obvious choice. You can intern in summers in the DC area. Their alumni network is amazing. I don't follow your statement regarding prestige since ND wins on that factor. At the end of 3 years when you start making those monthly loan payments you'll thank us later.

[Rand M.]

I don't have to read the body of your msg. Go to ND

[Cupidity]

Are you sure you could make 50k per year with the 20 hour cap? And if you can make 50k with a 20 hour work week.....wtf bro? forget LS.

[darkknight2000]

Given how badly the economy has affected job prospects at both schools, I'd go with the place that gives you money. Notre Dame hands down, especially when you incorporate the lower cost of living.