Top Law Schools

I can't decide. I wanted to go to the best school that I could get into but even though Emory slipped in the rankings, I really feel as though they are of equal caliber. I eventually want to come back to DC but if I got stuck, I think I would rather be in Atlanta than St. Louis. I am getting half tuition in scholarship from Emory and 15k a year from WashU. I like the WashU campus more, but I think I think I would like Atlanta more than St. Louis. What should I do?

gotta love emory! Go for it. Atlantas great. The school culture is also great. Lots of great students and faculty members. Had a very positive experience at ASD the ranking issue was addressed and I believe, from what we were told, that it will be dealt with swiftly and successfully. Good luck whereever you go.

meepmeep123 wrote:I can't decide. I wanted to go to the best school that I could get into but even though Emory slipped in the rankings, I really feel as though they are of equal caliber. I eventually want to come back to DC but if I got stuck, I think I would rather be in Atlanta than St. Louis. I am getting half tuition in scholarship from Emory and 15k a year from WashU. I like the WashU campus more, but I think I think I would like Atlanta more than St. Louis. What should I do?

Emory. It's cheaper, you like ATL better, it gives you as good a shot at ATL as WUSTL gives you at Chicago (St. Louis is essentially out if you aren't from the city), probably about the same for NY/DC. Cheaper = better at this level.

+1

Emory since you prefer Atlanta.

Do we really think WashU is a better school though/ more reputable?

meepmeep123 wrote:Do we really think WashU is a better school though/ more reputable?

Only slightly if at all. Depends on who/how old the person is that you are talking to.

They're equivalent for your purposes, OP. Might be different in 10-20 years, but you aren't missing out on anything.

bump.

meepmeep123 wrote:I can't decide. I wanted to go to the best school that I could get into but even though Emory slipped in the rankings, I really feel as though they are of equal caliber. I eventually want to come back to DC but if I got stuck, I think I would rather be in Atlanta than St. Louis. I am getting half tuition in scholarship from Emory and 15k a year from WashU. I like the WashU campus more, but I think I think I would like Atlanta more than St. Louis. What should I do?

Emory.

eta: Have you visited either?

I visited Emory for ASD but had seen Atlanta previously when I was in HS with my mother. St. Louis I've only driven through but my friend and I walked through the WashU campus/ went inside the law school building and I loved it (it looks like where I went to undergrad). I met current students at Emory/ prospective students of my class, but as I just got into WashU, I have yet to "seriously" visit.

meepmeep123 wrote:Do we really think WashU is a better school though/ more reputable?

LOLOLnope

meepmeep123 wrote:I visited Emory for ASD but had seen Atlanta previously when I was in HS with my mother. St. Louis I've only driven through but my friend and I walked through the WashU campus/ went inside the law school building and I loved it (it looks like where I went to undergrad). I met current students at Emory/ prospective students of my class, but as I just got into WashU, I have yet to "seriously" visit.

Oh that's good! So you've gotten a feel for each, at least. Do you plan to seriously visit WashU?

Honestly, I think Emory sounds like the right call here, at least based on your preferences.

with similar aspirations and the same choices, i chose emory.

meepmeep123 wrote:I can't decide. I wanted to go to the best school that I could get into but even though Emory slipped in the rankings, I really feel as though they are of equal caliber. I eventually want to come back to DC but if I got stuck, I think I would rather be in Atlanta than St. Louis. I am getting half tuition in scholarship from Emory and 15k a year from WashU. I like the WashU campus more, but I think I think I would like Atlanta more than St. Louis. What should I do?

I would be cautious about Emory. I have spoken to 2Ls there that are top half to top third in their class. They are VERY pissed about their current situation. One guy in the top third told me that attending Emory Law was the worst decision he ever made. I also have several friends who attended Emory for undergrad and hated the school and its "culture". They regret not going to UGA or GT instead. Atlanta is a great city, though, so if you do manage to pull out a decent job, you will enjoy living and working there.

Pricer wrote:

meepmeep123 wrote:I can't decide. I wanted to go to the best school that I could get into but even though Emory slipped in the rankings, I really feel as though they are of equal caliber. I eventually want to come back to DC but if I got stuck, I think I would rather be in Atlanta than St. Louis. I am getting half tuition in scholarship from Emory and 15k a year from WashU. I like the WashU campus more, but I think I think I would like Atlanta more than St. Louis. What should I do?

I would be cautious about Emory. I have spoken to 2Ls there that are top half to top third in their class. They are VERY pissed about their current situation. One guy in the top third told me that attending Emory Law was the worst decision he ever made. I also have several friends who attended Emory for undergrad and hated the school and its "culture". They regret not going to UGA or GT instead. Atlanta is a great city, though, so if you do manage to pull out a decent job, you will enjoy living and working there.

And I know 2Ls who are happy with the school and their employment prospects. I'm not saying that everything is great and that everyone is getting a biglaw job, I'm just saying that it seems like you're kind of overstating things here. Also, the law school and undergrad aren't really connected, so I can't really comment on the undergrad culture. But as far as the law school culture goes, everyone works hard, but the school is filled with nice, genuine people who always want to do what they can to help.

Anyway, I honestly think the biggest difference between these two schools is the markets they place in. Since you prefer Atlanta and your scholarship is bigger here, I think Emory is the way to go. However, if you really think you prefer WUSTL as a school, I'd visit again and think seriously about whether you'd be happy in the midwest.

OP, feel free to PM me if you have any questions about Emory.

Yeah the class of 2011 is screwed across the board.

I'd say Emory, especially considering that you're getting a good deal (I'm assuming you're a reverse splitter based on these offers). WUSTL is normally much nicer with $ than Emory.

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dpu wrote:I registered to join this discussion as I am also choosing between these two schools. very similar situation as OP - want to end up in DC; Atl and St Louis are both relatively random to me (I've been living in DC for awhile and am from the West Coast).

However, WUSTL gave me double the merit aid that Emory did (and both amounts are decent). Like OP, despite the rankings I think name-wise Emory and Wash U are very comparable and I slightly prefer Atl as a city. Does the money push me over the edge to WUSTL though?

Thanks

How much merit aid did each school give you? If the difference is something along the lines of 45k and 90k, I'd probably go to WUSTL. Of course, this is assuming that you'd also be fine living in the midwest (I kind of assumed this because you said you only slightly preferred Atlanta). I don't know which school would be better for DC though. My inclination is to say that DC would be difficult from both, but I haven't really looked at the numbers so I can't say for sure.

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Somewhat similiar schools in different locations. Do you prefer Atlanta or St. Louis ? Visit both, then decide.

bumb. what is in st. louis???

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