Top Law Schools

I know on occassion experienced TLSers help out non-posting lurkers like me so here's hoping.

When all the numbers are crunched I'm looking at $70K in total debt to go to GW and $0 for Illinois. I could see myself ultimately working in Chicago, but I really liked DC when I went to visit so geography in the purest sense isn't a big issue.

I'd like to go into soft IP like copyright or maybe broadcasting/communication regulation. GW has a great course list for this and the faculty is impressive. I think being in reach of government agencies could help me with this goal too. Plus I felt more at ease with the GW students, I LOVE the campus and am attracted to the "big-city" background.

On the other hand Illinois is a top 25 school and I wouldn't have to worry about paying back loans when I'm done. Help...?

in my humble opinion, TLS places too much value on the economic aspects of law school and law degree. while definitely a consideration - i think quality of life is equally important. for me at least, 3 years of the best years of your life (assuming u r 20-something) is a heavy consideration. job prospects more or less same between GW and IL, but u sound like u really enjoy DC and GWU - and i think that is worth a measly $70K (since having an awesome life = priceless; awesome 3 years of life > $70K). get me?

good luck!

dood wrote:in my humble opinion, TLS places too much value on the economic aspects of law school and law degree. while definitely a consideration - i think quality of life is equally important. for me at least, 3 years of the best years of your life (assuming u r 20-something) is a heavy consideration. job prospects more or less same between GW and IL, but u sound like u really enjoy DC and GWU - and i think that is worth a measly $70K (since having an awesome life = priceless; awesome 3 years of life > $70K). get me?

good luck!

+1

If you are willing to throw away $70,000 for quality of life, then go live in Prague or Berlin for $10,000 three years, then go to Illinois for free. My advice just saved you $40,000. My fee is 2.5%, so send $1000.

luckdragon wrote:If you are willing to throw away $70,000 for quality of life

I lol'd at this. Are you treating salary numbers like a high score?

PS, voted GW because its employment is better than Illinois by a bit and the fact you loved DC, but do what feels right IMO.

If you prefer DC to the midwest/Chicago then go to GW.

Is it the financially rational choice to make? No, of course it isn't, but preferring where you want to live is inherently irrational. GW at 70k debt is very manageable so it's not like you're committing financial/career suicide for your geographic preference.

luckdragon wrote:If you are willing to throw away $70,000 for quality of life, then go live in Prague or Berlin for $10,000 three years, then go to Illinois for free. My advice just saved you $40,000. My fee is 2.5%, so send $1000.

LOLOLOLOL $10,000 in Berlin?

baboon309 wrote:

luckdragon wrote:If you are willing to throw away $70,000 for quality of life, then go live in Prague or Berlin for $10,000 three years, then go to Illinois for free. My advice just saved you $40,000. My fee is 2.5%, so send $1000.

LOLOLOLOL $10,000 in Berlin?

$10,000 per 9 months in Berlin will probably go farther than $20,000 per 9 months in DC. Or so I gathered from having lived there for two years. But I guess you know better since you wrote not one but four Lol's.

How are you covering books/rent/food/transportation/etc? You'll be in debt either way unless you have savings built up.

Bildungsroman wrote:How are you covering books/rent/food/transportation/etc? You'll be in debt either way unless you have savings built up.

My family has money set aside for me and I worked for five years after ug (with no ug debt) so I have some savings built up as well.

I guess a more accurate term would be "covered" vs "free."

70K total for a top 20 school is a good decision no matter what. Yes, from a strict cost-benefit analysis perspective, Illinois is probably TCR, but you have such a clear preference for GW and a 70K loan isn't a big enough reason to say no when most people on full rides will still end up paying 50K+ in Cost of Living

JamMasterJ wrote:70K total for a top 20 school is a good decision no matter what. Yes, from a strict cost-benefit analysis perspective, Illinois is probably TCR, but you have such a clear preference for GW and a 70K loan isn't a big enough reason to say no when most people on full rides will still end up paying 50K+ in Cost of Living

...learn to RC.

Thanks for the thoughts and votes everyone!

luckdragon wrote:If you are willing to throw away $70,000 for quality of life, then go live in Prague or Berlin for $10,000 three years, then go to Illinois for free. My advice just saved you $40,000. My fee is 2.5%, so send $1000.

Whew, I almost thought I was going to get out of this without a snarky reply. This is the TLS I know and love (like a clever but verbally abusive ex-bf).

If you love DC that much, go to GW.

GW might also have some decent NY placement, so that should be considered