Vandy, Wisconsin or Northwestern? Forum

[Flips88]

About Me
So it’s time for me to make a decision (kinda). First, a bit about me: I am from the South/Midwest. I have big issues with the south and southern culture and would like to go to law school somewhere that is a large urban city that is diverse. I have ZERO debt from UG due to a very generous national merit scholarship. I intend on going into PI law, working for the government, a non-profit, etc. I am highly interested in human rights law, social justice, and public policy. That being said, I fully intend to take advantage of my school’s LRAP, but my main focus is entering the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that wipes your debt after 10 years working in a qualifying PI job. I am not terribly interested in Big Law, but if my grades give me the opportunity, then I may do it for 2 years or so and aggressively pay down debt and then enter PI and manage the rest via LRAP or PSLF. My dream markets are DC and Chicago. I spent a summer in DC interning on the hill and absolutely loved the city and could see myself living/working there.

Also before anyone says, retake and reapply, I really don’t want to take another year off. I know it’s sacrificing opportunities, but I don’t think I could stand another year in limbo.

My Options
Vanderbilt
Scholarship: $45,000
Estimated COA: $160,992
Pros: I have yet to visit, but I’ve heard nothing but great things about Nashville and Vanderbilt. The school has a pretty great reputation and from the tons of viewbooks they sent, their facilities and faculty look top notch.
Cons: It’s in Tennessee, which no offense to anyone, I consider a lateral movement from Oklahoma, not an improvement. Their LRAP is abysmal: if you make over $50,000 they only pay 20%. If you make under $34,000 they only pay 50%.


Wisconsin
Scholarship: $~59,000
Estimated COA: $107,000
Pros: Visited Madison and I really like it. I have good friends in Madison and the general region. I really enjoyed the school and the opportunities available (i.e. interning with the state supreme court that’s within walking distance of school). The so-called “Wisconsin Idea” really resonates with me.
Cons: Now are the levels of opportunities worth sacrificing the prestige/opportunities of Vandy?


WAITLISTS
So those are my current acceptances. However, I am on 8 wait lists and waiting for 3 more decisions (expecting three WLs, though I think I should be in at WUSTL)
Currently wait listed at:
Penn (sent LOCI)
Berkeley (will find out on May 1st what quartile I’m in)
Michigan
UVA
Duke
GULC (Special group on preferred wait list. Have sent an LOCI)
Texas
Illinois (sent LOCI)WUSTL




Of these schools I’m most interested in pursuing GULC, Penn, NYU, Northwestern, and Michigan. I have little to no interest in Duke or UVA.

I’m already pretty dead set on taking GULC, presumably at sticker, if I get off the WL.


TL;DR: Options are Vandy with $45k, Wisconsin with $59k, GW at sticker or riding out a bunch of T-14 wait lists. Goal markets are DC or Chicago for PI work. Will take GULC if I get in of SPWL.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the novella, btw.

ETA: I was accepted at Northwestern and dinged at NYU, bringing my initial cycle to a close.
Northwestern
Pros
In one of my preferred markets already
Great LRAP
Great clinics
I love Chicago
Cons
Cost would be $220,000 or so at sticker price

[BeachandRun23]

Vandy with money is a really solid choice. Theres no shame in that. Attend there but hold out for the waitlists. If you dont get in anywhere else, go to vandy. If you do, make another thread then lol.

[gov]

Based on your preferences I would say W&M and Wisconsin should not even be considered. GW seems like WAY too much debt when you compare it to Vandy...However, the LRAP at Vandy doesn't seem very good either.

I think if you are SET on this year, Vandy may be the best option considering the debt at GW...and I think you would dig Nashville.


ETA: that being said, I vote Vandy unless u get in off a waitlist.

[BeachandRun23]

Also I just read you are on special preferred at gulc. Not sure gulc is worth it over vandy with $ as the cost of living in DC is also much higher. But you need to be happy. I'd say theres a strong chance you get in at GULC, so dont sweat it.

[Flips88]

I added an option of deposit at Vandy on May 2nd, but ride out the WLs. This is my current plan, I think, barring me hating Nashville.

[gov]

I added an option of deposit at Vandy on May 2nd, but ride out the WLs. This is my current plan, I think, barring me hating Nashville.

Sounds good. I would make a list of preference...so once you're accepted of a WL you know what you want (since you gen. have to make a deposit pretty quickly)

[kapachino]

Defer at Vandy, do some political work, or work/volunteer abroad, and reapply. How was your LSAT? If you're set on going this year, then go where you have money (Vandy and American). I think your goal is to work PI in DC, yes? That's why I suggest taking a year off. You can learn from what you didn't do right this time, and hopefully increase your chances in the next cycle.

[Thirteen]

I added an option of deposit at Vandy on May 2nd, but ride out the WLs. This is my current plan, I think, barring me hating Nashville.

This sounds like a great plan.

[Gemini]

Oh hai. Vandy.

The End.

[akili]

I voted for Vandy because it's awesome.

[Flips88]

Defer at Vandy, do some political work, or work/volunteer abroad, and reapply. How was your LSAT? If you're set on going this year, then go where you have money (Vandy and American). I think your goal is to work PI in DC, yes? That's why I suggest taking a year off. You can learn from what you didn't do right this time, and hopefully increase your chances in the next cycle.

I have a 164 (Oct.) and 165 (Dec.) I took it while working full-time so it was pretty stressful and tiring. I can for sure not take the June LSAT as I'll be on a plane back from Macchu Pichu. Besides my LSAT, my app is solid: perfect GPA, good extracurriculars, scholarships/fellowships, solid LoRs. I know the LSAT is what is dragging me down. It's frustrating and I know raising 3 or 4 points would change things a lot, but I don't have anything to occupy my year and I really just want to get back into school already. Maybe I'll change my mind in June, but right now I want to start this year.

[jpSartre]

Youre a good dood so dont take this the wrong way but PI stands for personal injury brother my brother, not public interest.

[Flips88]

Youre a good dood so dont take this the wrong way but PI stands for personal injury brother my brother, not public interest.

Thanks for your constructive input, jackass.

[Thirteen]

Youre a good dood so dont take this the wrong way but PI stands for personal injury brother my brother, not public interest.

I'm a 1L, and I always think "public interest" when I hear PI.

[gov]

Youre a good dood so dont take this the wrong way but PI stands for personal injury brother my brother, not public interest.

I'm a 1L, and I always think "public interest" when I hear PI.

Being Thirteen is all the credibility you need.

[Attorney]

I can for sure not take the June LSAT as I'll be on a plane back from Macchu Pichu.

Even though you weren't actually whining about it at all, and this wasn't a Facebook status update... I'm still taking this quote out of context and putting it on White Whine.

PS - "Go to Vandy" and "Go to Vandy but keep an eye on waitlists" are winning with 88% of the vote. Go to Vandy.

[Flips88]

I can for sure not take the June LSAT as I'll be on a plane back from Macchu Pichu.

Even though you weren't actually whining about it at all, and this wasn't a Facebook status update... I'm still taking this quote out of context and putting it on White Whine.

PS - "Go to Vandy" and "Go to Vandy but keep an eye on waitlists" are winning with 88% of the vote. Go to Vandy.

May all the internet glory be yours!

[DeeCee]

Also I just read you are on special preferred at gulc. Not sure gulc is worth it over vandy with $ as the cost of living in DC is also much higher. But you need to be happy. I'd say theres a strong chance you get in at GULC, so dont sweat it.

I agree with beachandrun here.

Law school applicants try to obtain these three things:
-good location
-cheap cost
-good reputation

But often you only get two.

[jpSartre]

Youre a good dood so dont take this the wrong way but PI stands for personal injury brother my brother, not public interest.

Thanks for your constructive input, jackass.

yw, now you'll actually know how to talk about the things you want to do. I just saved you the embarrassment of talking to a PI attorney who thinks you aspire to join the ranks of tv mesothelioma-claim personalities.

[TheFactor]

I voted for Vandy because it's awesome.

[krad]

Vandy FTW! And then ride the WL's, of course, but I don't think you will lose out by choosing Vandy!
(I am biased, it was my dream school)

[Law Sauce]

sorry to say this but.... retake, seriously. if you think that you could do better. you could go anywhere with a little better lsat and talking the lsat while being stressed out and stuff is much more difficult. Take a year, relax and have fun, get off tls, study hard for months, get a 169. go to mvp or ccn. use their sweeter lraps.

(i wouldnt say this to most applicants but you 1. have a incredible gpa 2. admittedly took it during a stressful time and 3. dont care to stay in the south where most of your current mid-top options are and would like to go to an urban area where most of the top-top options are and if, 4. you think you may be able to do better on the lsat, is true than I think my advice is solid barring absolutely loving vandy. If 4 is false, or if you just can't wait then yea, of course go. vandy is also a superb option, for sure.

maybe, having nothing to do for that year is the perfect thing that you need to bump up that score and go to NYU...

but yea, vandy = win as well

[patrickd139]

Thoughts (in no particular order):

I don't think you'll be disappointed with Vandy, but you should defer a year if you (realistically) can. That said, where you're at right now sucks, so I understand your dilemma.

Deposit at Vandy. Nashville is awesome and gives you options from Dallas all the way to Chicago.

I'd ride out the WLs, but realistically, only consider GULC or t13, as I don't think Texas or UIUC (especially at sticker) would markedly increase your options, considering your career interests.

Cross GW, Wisco, W&M, and American off your list. None of them are worth their risk at those prices.

Doing well at Vandy can get you into DC, if not immediately. It will be a harder path than those at GULC or t13, but a helluva lot better position than American or GW.

As time passes, send more LOCIs to GULC. I'm firmly convinced that's what got me off the WL for transfer admissions last summer.

[rebexness]

[Flips88]

If you hate the south so much, why consider Vandy?

I've heard nothing but great things about Nashville. I'm a big concert goer and Nashville's prestige as Music City is a big draw for me. That's why I need to visit to see if it feels different enough that I could be happy. However, it's also right by Murfreesburo where a bunch of hicks tried to sabotage the construction of a mosque. So I'm waiting to visit next weekend.