WUSTL (84K award) or GWU PT (Sticker) Forum

[jlb2178]

I love DC and would like to practice and live there, but I don't have tons of cash. I also have loans from master's degree. Would go to GW PT and work PT or maybe closer to full. Not totally opposed to living in Midwest, but always dreamed of DC. Advice?

[sambeber]

What are your longterm career goals? Have you visited either school?

[ndirish2010]

Put aside your dreams and make the rational decision by going to WUSTL.

[sambeber]

Also -- how much debt do you have from your master's? Have you figured out how much you would be in debt if you went to GWU while also working? ie: how much of it could you cash flow, and then what would your total educational debt be at the end?

[jlb2178]

I have visited both schools, but WUSTL more in depth during an Admitted Students Day. GW was a waitlist in, so I've only just found out and have 20 days to decide about deposit. I visited GW briefly in December, but it was unguided and informal. I was impressed by both. Ideally, I'd like to work for the gov., but I know those jobs are hard to come by. Also, worried about competing with GULC. Also interested in public interest. Thanks.

[HyeMart]

if you were neutral, go with wustl. but wanting to work in dc complicates things...
i think wustl could get your dc if you work hard and use legwork, but i think gw would allow you to have more dc job options.

take into account
-the school programs
-where you want to work
- how much do you value dc? family here? You might like St. louis/chicago/midwest as well.
-and the time the degree will take
- you lose a year finishing in 4 vs 3 years, and getting a job that isnt minimum wage isn't exactly easy right now. perhaps put your deposits down and see if you can get a pt job.

[flexityflex86]

No question it's WUSTL. It's just as good, and you'll save 100k + have much less competition for a job.

[jlb2178]

I have about 60K debt from Columbia masters. Maybe the most I could make a year working PT in DC would be 20K with about 15K (??) going towards tuition. So, tuition would be about 23K/year, not including insurance, books, etc.

[jlb2178]

What if I decide I DO NOT want to practice in St. Louis? I've been reading tons of posts about Wash U seriously limiting career opportunities outside Midwest. This scares me.

[flexityflex86]

What if I decide I DO NOT want to practice in St. Louis? I've been reading tons of posts about Wash U seriously limiting career opportunities outside Midwest. This scares me.

if you don't go to wash u, you are really dumb.

[jlb2178]

oh, ok. thanks.

[dissonance1848]

If you don't want WashU, retake, get a 172 or higher, and shoot ED for georgetown. What can be said?

[flexityflex86]

If you don't want WashU, retake, get a 172 or higher, and shoot ED for georgetown. What can be said?

Wash U with 84k > Better than GT