Minnesota ($$) vs. WUSTL ($) Forum

[scity]

Deposits are due today and I have to make a decision. I would rather go to WashU, but its hard to turn down the money from Minn. I'm not sure where I want to work yet after graduation, so I want to keep my options open by going to the school that will give me the most opportunity. I'm still riding out the UVA and Northwestern waitlists, but for now these are my viable options. Help! I'm at a complete loss and don't want to throw away deposit money!

[niederbomb]

Minnesota

Much more pleasant surroundings, roughly equal job prospects, and much less competition in primary market. Besides, in your case, it means less debt.

St. Louis sucks balls. Ever been there?

[thexfactor]

get into your wls. re apply next year.

[scity]

I don't feel like reapplying next year will change anything, I got into two top-20 schools and waitlisted at 2 top-14. Nothing will change about my apps between now and then. I just need advice on what to do now. And no, my work schedule has prohibited me from visiting yet.

[Slevin Kelevra 2011]

http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNL ... 2483173162

Minnesota does not perform well at biglaw placememt, but neither does WUSTL. As long as you are comfortable with a midsized firm in the midwest, go to the cheapest option, as your salaries will be at the same level as the east coast firms, even though your tuition and debt will.

[WhirledWorld]

.

[Attorney]

It's hard to say without knowing the actual figures, but WUSTL > Minn for job placement.
What's the difference between "$" and "$$"?

[scity]

$20,000 vs. $5,000

[Attorney]

If those are per year, Minnesota looks less risky. It's a pretty good offer, take it and ride out the waitlists.

[rlt2107]

What if it is even money at each? Same situation, but with similar debt leaving.

[Attorney]

What if it is even money at each?

Even money would have to favor WUSTL, all else (your geographic preferences for instance) being equal.

[Sandro]

I would say WUSTL is not only stronger throughout the midwest but has more (limited) mobility. Unless WUSTL is a lot more expensive its not hard, WUSTL.

[MyManKanye]

I have a similar situation except throw in UIUC as well. WUSTL and UMN are about equal cost and UIUC about 10k less per year than either. I had intially eliminated UMN due to the bad things I heard about UMN grads being heavily locked in the twin cities area. This thread has kinf of piqued my interest in it though. Not to derail the original post, but how does UMN compare to biglaw (or any law) placements with WUSTL outside their home markets?

[Attorney]

how does UMN compare to biglaw (or any law) placements with WUSTL outside their home markets?

The Big Law numbers are usually 1.5x to 2x better at WUSTL compared to Minnesota. Take away their home markets of St. Louis and Twin Cities and the difference is even larger. Minnesota places a far larger proportion of its class in the Twin Cities than does WUSTL in St. Louis.

[Sandro]

I'd say UMN places what you would expect into their home market from a strong regional school. If theres any evidence of big law placement outside of that its super limited otherwise they would show up in their NLJ250 placement #s, which are usually on par with strong regional schools like UGA/Wake etc.

[deadpoetnsp]

I had a similar decision to make, with WUSTL and UMN both offering $$$$. I chose UMN, since I liked the school and the Twin Cities more. UMN also has historically (since the 90s) been a top-20 school, unlike WUSTL.

[Sandro]

UMN also has historically (since the 90s) been a top-20 school, unlike WUSTL.

And how does this effect anything ? WUSTL has been ranked higher than UMN recently, and rankings dont mean shit really if your placement #s are on par with T30s/40s.... I guess it might make you feel all gooey inside.

[Attorney]

I had a similar decision to make, with WUSTL and UMN both offering $$$$. I chose UMN, since I liked the school and the Twin Cities more. UMN also has historically (since the 90s) been a top-20 school, unlike WUSTL.

If you liked the area a lot better then you made the right choice. But WUSTL places better, year in and year out. US News rankings don't mean anything at all, take them right out of your mind.

[deadpoetnsp]

UMN also has historically (since the 90s) been a top-20 school, unlike WUSTL.

And how does this effect anything ? WUSTL has been ranked higher than UMN recently, and rankings dont mean shit really if your placement #s are on par with T30s/40s.... I guess it might make you feel all gooey inside.

The only way it affects anything is by making people like me who chose UMN feel good

[Blindmelon]

Does that mean WUSTL is 45k more? I'd take Minn then. WUSTL/Minn are pretty much peers, although personally I would take WUSTL if the cost difference was less than it is, because if somehow you hit the lottery and ended up at the top of the class at WUSTL you could get yourself into some bitchin' firms.