Top Law Schools

I think Ill probably end up deciding between these two, is it worth paying sticker at GULC for the rankings boost?

I'm interested in public service and so gtowns LRAP program is also very appealing, but the thought of going about 200K in debt is reallllly daunting.

almostfamous wrote:I think Ill probably end up deciding between these two, is it worth paying sticker at GULC for the rankings boost?

I'm interested in public service and so gtowns LRAP program is also very appealing, but the thought of going about 200K in debt is reallllly daunting.

Hey, I'm a 3L at Georgetown, so I'm clearly biased. I think it depends on where you want to practice. Also, we place far more people into Gov't and Public interest, and the LRAP is a fairly safe bet as long as you land Gov't or public interest. Let me know if you have any questions.

Edit: also ask Georgetown for money.

depends what $$ means, 60 or less = GULC, 105 or more = WUSTL, 90 = hard choice I'd probably go WUSTL, depending on regional preference of course

Yeah I got 84k from wustl which is making my decision really hard. I LOVE dc and the east coast but the money definitely was enough to turn my head.

almostfamous wrote:I'm interested in public service and so gtowns LRAP program is also very appealing

almostfamous wrote:I LOVE dc and the east coast

Nogameisfair wrote:ask Georgetown for money.

Haha thanks! Ill probably ask but my numbers aren't that great. Would gtown care about money from wustl?

almostfamous wrote:Haha thanks! Ill probably ask but my numbers aren't that great. Would gtown care about money from wustl?

worth a shot? i don't think gulc has sent out scholarship info btw, so you may yet have a chance

id take georgetown. You aalready siad that you were doing public interest. According to the IBR, if you do 10 years of work at a non profit your loans will be forgiven.
WUSTL's 84k is not nearly enough. you will still likely have 70-100k in loans. It will likely take you 10+ years to pay it off. Furthermore, being in DC will help you greatly in searching for a PI job.

Also, if you change your mind and want to do biglaw/midlaw/biggov georgetown will give you a much better shot. 20% more chance.

Your downside is the same at both schools. Your upside is a lot more with georgetown.

Going $100K into debt for WUSTL or $200K for GULC? GULC no question.

$200,000 worth of debt can be overwhelming although I prefer GULC. Their LRAP program as described by TLS is a little worrisome IF you don't spend 10 years in public interest law.

GULC hands down. A full ride from WUSTL could change things.

I went to GULC if you have any questions about the school.

thanks a lot everybody! i wasn't expecting the responses to be so overwhelmingly GULC but i've been leaning in that direction anyways so this definitely helps!

I think it's a true toss-up, personally

If it were MVP at sticker, I might tell you to do that, but it's not. This is G'Town. And G'Town, while a good school, has been clinging on for dear life to that glorious "T14 spot" for more than a decade now with little chance of going up. (As a disclaimer, I should mention that I don't subscribe as heavily to the view of T14 or bust like some around here and, furthermore, I don't think merely going to a T14 school means that you have it made, per se.)

But all that said, if after weighing the factors you still find you prefer the East Coast & DC area, like G'Town that much more, then by all means go. But if you feel iffy about it, prefer the Midwest and would like to minimize your debt, go to WUSTL. Also, you can work in the Midwest from G'Town, just like you can work in the DC area from WUSTL, each school is obviously more prominent in their home markets.

Perhaps a more important question might be this: Have you visited both schools? If you can afford to do so, that might answer the question for you. I think you'll just get a hunch and feel better about it.

I am interested in hearing what people have to say. Taggin this post

OP, since you love DC and want to do Public Interest law, the LRAP at GULC makes much more sense for you.

DC is the least insular market, so students can get there from many schools. WUSTL does have a decent # of alumni there; however, given your practice area and regional preference, GULC in this case.

If it were MVP at sticker, I might tell you to do that, but it's not. This is G'Town. And G'Town, while a good school, has been clinging on for dear life to that glorious "T14 spot" for more than a decade now with little chance of going up. (As a disclaimer, I should mention that I don't subscribe as heavily to the view of T14 or bust like some around here and, furthermore, I don't think merely going to a T14 school means that you have it made, per se.)

The T14 really isn't about US news. There happens to be 14 national law schools. If UCLA were ranked #14 one year, that wouldn't mean the G'Town isn't a T14 school, it would mean that US news was wrong that year.

Nobody said that going to the T14 means you made it, but there is a huge drop off in placement between G'Town and WUSTL.

nealric wrote:

If it were MVP at sticker, I might tell you to do that, but it's not. This is G'Town. And G'Town, while a good school, has been clinging on for dear life to that glorious "T14 spot" for more than a decade now with little chance of going up. (As a disclaimer, I should mention that I don't subscribe as heavily to the view of T14 or bust like some around here and, furthermore, I don't think merely going to a T14 school means that you have it made, per se.)

The T14 really isn't about US news. There happens to be 14 national law schools. If UCLA were ranked #14 one year, that wouldn't mean the G'Town isn't a T14 school, it would mean that US news was wrong that year.

Nobody said that going to the T14 means you made it, but there is a huge drop off in placement between G'Town and WUSTL.

I respectfully disagree. In my mind, there are only about 3 to 6 completely national law schools. Obviously, the degree is more mobile the more you move upwards, but there are still bubbles around all of those schools.

With ease, could one not also argue that there is a huge drop off in placement between G'Town and, say, Chicago? I view it as more of a continuum. But however you look at it, it's definitely not a "T-14, and then the rest" sort of deal.

Perhaps partially I feel this way because I know G'Town kids who are struggling ITE just like a lot of the people in the T-25 range. Whereas, I don't think the same can be said of Harvard kids or Stanford kids (schools I categorize as being highly national law schools).

With all due respect, I also don't think you're the most unbiased person to ask about this either, Mr. GULC Grad

I voted GULC, but hope Michigan comes knocking for you (and me).

nealric wrote:

If it were MVP at sticker, I might tell you to do that, but it's not. This is G'Town. And G'Town, while a good school, has been clinging on for dear life to that glorious "T14 spot" for more than a decade now with little chance of going up. (As a disclaimer, I should mention that I don't subscribe as heavily to the view of T14 or bust like some around here and, furthermore, I don't think merely going to a T14 school means that you have it made, per se.)

The T14 really isn't about US news. There happens to be 14 national law schools. If UCLA were ranked #14 one year, that wouldn't mean the G'Town isn't a T14 school, it would mean that US news was wrong that year.

Nobody said that going to the T14 means you made it, but there is a huge drop off in placement between G'Town and WUSTL.

You're a good poaster, Nealric, but you know as well as I do that that portability of your degree depends on 1) brand name recognition of your school in a specific region, 2) ties to that specific region, and 3) grades. T14 schools happen to be high on 1, to varying degrees. That's about it. There's so much more to it.

in the same boat but have 114k from wustl?

deff take wustl?

damage-inc wrote:in the same boat but have 114k from wustl?

deff take wustl?

If G'Town is sticker in your situation, I would handily take WUSTL's $114K. But that's just me. The difference between the schools isn't worth paying an extra $125K to me (or some figure close to that, maybe more with COL), though I'm sure someone on here would make an argument for G'Town.

damage-inc wrote:in the same boat but have 114k from wustl?

deff take wustl?

It depends.

If you are absolutely DC or bust and biglaw or bust, then it's a tough choice.

If you are ok with any legal work in Chicago/Milwaukee/Louisville/other midwestern city, then deff WUSTL.

If you are ok with any legal work in St. Louis or KC, then withdraw from everywhere and put down your deposit at WUSTL yesterday.

You're a good poaster, Nealric, but you know as well as I do that that portability of your degree depends on 1) brand name recognition of your school in a specific region, 2) ties to that specific region, and 3) grades. T14 schools happen to be high on 1, to varying degrees. That's about it. There's so much more to it.

Sure. But my point is that a UCLA grad interviewing in NYC will usually have a harder time than a GULC grad in LA will, assuming both have ties.

I respectfully disagree. In my mind, there are only about 3 to 6 completely national law schools. Obviously, the degree is more mobile the more you move upwards, but there are still bubbles around all of those schools.

With ease, could one not also argue that there is a huge drop off in placement between G'Town and, say, Chicago? I view it as more of a continuum. But however you look at it, it's definitely not a "T-14, and then the rest" sort of deal.

Perhaps partially I feel this way because I know G'Town kids who are struggling ITE just like a lot of the people in the T-25 range. Whereas, I don't think the same can be said of Harvard kids or Stanford kids (schools I categorize as being highly national law schools).

With all due respect, I also don't think you're the most unbiased person to ask about this either, Mr. GULC Grad

Of course it's a line drawing issue. And it's true that HYS are the most national. But you can even make an argument that S isn't as national as H if you are really going to split hairs. Sure, there are some GULC people struggling, but there are people struggling at every school outside of HYS. But that in an of itself doesn't take away from an argument about national portability.

And of course I'm going to troll a bit for my school. What do you expect?

almostfamous wrote:I LOVE dc and the east coast

GULC no question.

nealric wrote: And of course I'm going to troll a bit for my school. What do you expect?

Someone has to troll for Georgetown on this site...