BU vs. WUSTL for Telecommunications Law Forum

[MillerTime]

I'm hoping to pursue telecommunications law. I'd like to work both in the FCC and a firm during my career (this field is predominantly based in DC, so that's where I'd like to end up after graduation). It seems like my choices will come down to BU and WUSTL. WUSTL offered my $25k/year. I sent this offer to BU, hoping that they'll match it, but I haven't heard back yet.

Here's what has been rattling around in my head:

WUSTL - Pros & Cons:

Pros: Scholarship, low COL, beautiful campus, top-twenty ranking, offers a concentration in Intellectual Property, Cyberlaw and Technology and Arts and Entertainment, and has a clinical program to work for an administrative agency in DC.

Cons: It's St. Louis, distance from the East Coast, and lacking national name recognition (from what I've heard).

BU - Pros & Cons:

Pros: It's Boston, proximity to DC, name recognition out East, and better rankings from NLJ.

Cons: No scholarship offer as of yet and high COL.

I'd love to hear what people think. I was waitlisted at Georgetown and Michigan, deferred from EA at Cornell, and held at Northwestern, but I'm not confident that I'll get in to any of those schools at the end of the day.

[FuManChusco]

no GW?

[MillerTime]

no GW?

Unfortunately, I was rejected by GW.. I've learned that they don't like their own undergrads haha (I'm still super bitter...).

[FuManChusco]

damn, crazy. I'd probably take BU since it's on the EC, but that $$ from WUSTL is tempting. hold out for the T14.

edit: I just realized how unhelpful this post was.

[Law Sauce]

Its may be a long shot, but I think that Wustl gives you good connections and clinics that may be of great value. Plus you get a school that is really backing its students and actively looking to expand its reach into areas such as this. The DC program seems to have been expanded every year for the last few and these types of programs seem to be a real strength of wustl. I would go wustl personally

[hokie]

I would say follow the money. However, if BU throws a little bit of money at you (i.e. making tuition cost <30K vs WUSTL) then I say BU (for DC). And you should take my advice to heart--I am a 0L that knows absolutely no people in telecommunications law

[D-ROCCA]

Neither for DC.

[MillerTime]

damn, crazy. I'd probably take BU since it's on the EC, but that $$ from WUSTL is tempting. hold out for the T14.

edit: I just realized how unhelpful this post was.

Haha, well thanks anyway. This is basically describing the situation I'm in. I would like to go to BU, but the money from WUSTL is tempting, and I want to wait it out for a T14. You nailed it

[MillerTime]

Its may be a long shot, but I think that Wustl gives you good connections and clinics that may be of great value. Plus you get a school that is really backing its students and actively looking to expand its reach into areas such as this. The DC program seems to have been expanded every year for the last few and these types of programs seem to be a real strength of wustl. I would go wustl personally

I've known people who have made it back to DC from WUSTL, just takes hard work. All the things you said are really pushing WUSTL to the top of my list. Their ASD was pretty impressive, and sold me on a lot of what they have to offer.

[MillerTime]

Thanks GTL. That was all very helpful. I do realize I'd have to do very well at either school and I'm definitely aware of how competitive the DC market is. I was pretty discourage by my WLs at a few T14s, but there's not much I can do about that I suppose. Hoping a few DC connections and a good resume from my time here will help me out as well.

[Cupidity]

BU should match or offer at least 10k per year

when they do, join us.

[fatduck]

Hoping a few DC connections and a good resume from my time here will help me out as well.

This is absurd, but true. A good way to snag a local area code while keeping your existing number is to sign up for a Google Voice account. You can pick a number and forward all the calls to your phone.

[MillerTime]

Hoping a few DC connections and a good resume from my time here will help me out as well.

This is absurd, but true. A good way to snag a local area code while keeping your existing number is to sign up for a Google Voice account. You can pick a number and forward all the calls to your phone.

This is great advice. Thanks!

[Cupidity]

I use my parents address for job apps in their state :p