Top Law Schools

There are lots considering this. Lets bring the discussion here to discuss pros and cons, etc.

I'm currently leaning toward WUSTL with 129k over Columbia (and a few others, but those are the top two contenders). I was born in St. Louis and wouldn't at all mind spending my career there, plus I'm pretty scared of taking out ~200k in debt. At the same time, though, if my career goals change in the future, it'd probably be much better to have a T14 JD. So I'm having a lot of trouble with this.

This topic is too broad to provide helpful advice. There are distinct tiers within the T14, and the decision is going to depend on whether we're looking at YHS, CCN, MVPB, or DNCG. Also, the differential between schollys were awarded at these schools and WUSTL scholly.

acadec wrote:I'm currently leaning toward WUSTL with 129k over Columbia (and a few others, but those are the top two contenders). I was born in St. Louis and wouldn't at all mind spending my career there, plus I'm pretty scared of taking out ~200k in debt. At the same time, though, if my career goals change in the future, it'd probably be much better to have a T14 JD. So I'm having a lot of trouble with this.

Do you have a middle of the road option, like MVPB with some $$? Because, if you're debt averse, I'd go with that.

moneybagsphd wrote:This topic is too broad to provide helpful advice. There are distinct tiers within the T14, and the decision is going to depend on whether we're looking at YHS, CCN, MVPB, or DNCG. Also, the differential between schollys were awarded at these schools and WUSTL scholly.

Every one has their own situation and they can talk about it here. Thats what this thread is for. I'm personally looking at WUSTL over sticker at Georgetown and UT. I have 114k at WUSTL. I'm interested to hear about other situations and general opinions about WUSTL. Thats why I created this thread

moneybagsphd wrote:

acadec wrote:I'm currently leaning toward WUSTL with 129k over Columbia (and a few others, but those are the top two contenders). I was born in St. Louis and wouldn't at all mind spending my career there, plus I'm pretty scared of taking out ~200k in debt. At the same time, though, if my career goals change in the future, it'd probably be much better to have a T14 JD. So I'm having a lot of trouble with this.

Do you have a middle of the road option, like MVPB with some $$? Because, if you're debt averse, I'd go with that.

Agreed, you have ties so getting back to St Louis wouldn't be that difficult. The difference in placement power between CLS and WUSTL is ENORMOUS.

I'm almost positive I'm going to take 129,000@WUSTL over 45,000@Michigan. I don't want biglaw, and I have no real preference on location. Graduating with 0 debt would be amazing compared to over 100k at Michigan. For me, it doesn't seem worth it...

imadude wrote:

moneybagsphd wrote:This topic is too broad to provide helpful advice. There are distinct tiers within the T14, and the decision is going to depend on whether we're looking at YHS, CCN, MVPB, or DNCG. Also, the differential between schollys were awarded at these schools and WUSTL scholly.

Every one has their own situation and they can talk about it here. Thats what this thread is for. I'm personally looking at WUSTL over sticker at Georgetown and UT. I have 114k at WUSTL. I'm interested to hear about other situations and general opinions about WUSTL. Thats why I created this thread

In your situation, I'd definitely take that money, or leverage it against GULC and UT. If they won't negotiate with WUSTL's money, fuck them.

Reading the "T25 Midwest OCI" thread and viewing the bloody carnage contained within would be enough to terrify me about going to school at UIUC/ND/WUSTL. I'm all for keeping debt low, but honestly, when it comes to a law degree, $100k or so is a pretty minimal chunk of potential career earnings. If you're fine with doing midlaw / small law in the Midwest, then I guess a case could be made for WUSTL. I had money at WUSTL when I was applying and I didn't even give it a second thought after a T10 acceptance arrived.

Helmholtz wrote:Reading the "T25 Midwest OCI" thread and viewing the bloody carnage contained within would be enough to terrify me about going to school at UIUC/ND/WUSTL. I'm all for keeping debt low, but honestly, when it comes to a law degree, $100k or so is a pretty minimal chunk of potential career earnings. If you're fine with doing midlaw / small law in the Midwest, then I guess a case could be made for WUSTL. I had money at WUSTL when I was applying and I didn't even give it a second thought after a T10 acceptance arrived.

Link?

I have 120k at WUSTL and Michigan, GULG and NYU, all sticker.
Leaning towards WUSTL, especially after I visited.

imadude wrote:

Helmholtz wrote:Reading the "T25 Midwest OCI" thread and viewing the bloody carnage contained within would be enough to terrify me about going to school at UIUC/ND/WUSTL. I'm all for keeping debt low, but honestly, when it comes to a law degree, $100k or so is a pretty minimal chunk of potential career earnings. If you're fine with doing midlaw / small law in the Midwest, then I guess a case could be made for WUSTL. I had money at WUSTL when I was applying and I didn't even give it a second thought after a T10 acceptance arrived.

Link?

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 3&t=161839

imadude wrote:

Helmholtz wrote:Reading the "T25 Midwest OCI" thread and viewing the bloody carnage contained within would be enough to terrify me about going to school at UIUC/ND/WUSTL. I'm all for keeping debt low, but honestly, when it comes to a law degree, $100k or so is a pretty minimal chunk of potential career earnings. If you're fine with doing midlaw / small law in the Midwest, then I guess a case could be made for WUSTL. I had money at WUSTL when I was applying and I didn't even give it a second thought after a T10 acceptance arrived.

Link?

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=161839

Checking In. $$$ at WUSTL

$ @ UT
Held at Mich, Corn, Duke and TTTown

Realize that I'm not quite in the "Real T14" yet, but still

Unagi wrote:I have 120k at WUSTL and Michigan, GULG and NYU, all sticker.
Leaning towards WUSTL, especially after I visited.

I would easily rule out GULC... But have you visited Mich?... it really does go beyond expectations

T00L wrote:Checking In. $$$ at WUSTL

$ @ UT
Held at Mich, Corn, Duke and TTTown

Realize that I'm not quite in the "Real T14" yet, but still

In at Mich and GULC at sticker with 84k at WUSTL. 99% sure I'll end up at Mich.

What is the average starting salary for midlaw and is job security better than biglaw?

Obviously 160k>100/110 whatever the number is, but if the average midlaw associate has a X greater percent chance of making partner and makes it say 8-9 years instead of 5-6 if they don't make partner, then that wouldn't be awful. Especially with the lower COL that would almost undoubtedly come with a midlaw job.

T00L wrote:

Unagi wrote:I have 120k at WUSTL and Michigan, GULG and NYU, all sticker.
Leaning towards WUSTL, especially after I visited.

I would easily rule out GULC... But have you visited Mich?... it really does go beyond expectations

or NYU....

Seems like the career opportunities for the average NYU student and the average WUSTL student would be like night and day.

Checking in.

135k At WUSTL. In a Duke, GWU. Applied later in the cycle so I am expecting many decisions. Stats/dates in profile.

I imagine if Duke offers me virtually any amount of money, I should pass on WUSTL. Does the TLS hivemind concur?

6thbackstreetboy wrote:I'm almost positive I'm going to take 129,000@WUSTL over 45,000@Michigan. I don't want biglaw, and I have no real preference on location. Graduating with 0 debt would be amazing compared to over 100k at Michigan. For me, it doesn't seem worth it...

I'm in the exact same situation, and I think it's going to come down to these two options unless my negotiations with UIUC are successful. Obviously I have no idea about your financial situation but keep in mind that cost of living at WUSTL is a predicted $20,000 per year. So for me, debt is unavoidable. The question really is how much debt. Then again, you have to add on the $20,000 a year to Michigan too. It's really impossible to go to law school for free unless you get a stipend.

T00L wrote:

Unagi wrote:I have 120k at WUSTL and Michigan, GULG and NYU, all sticker.
Leaning towards WUSTL, especially after I visited.

I would easily rule out GULC... But have you visited Mich?... it really does go beyond expectations

Yes, I visited Michigan, but on a Saturday night (it was my only option). I liked it, but I felt better at WUSTL. Probably because I had the chance to talk to a lot of people, which I didn't at Michigan.
It is a bit scary to pass up a T14, but I guess for me it will be easier because if I have to pay sticker I'll pay much more than you guys. So the money difference is even bigger for me.

2014 wrote:What is the average starting salary for midlaw and is job security better than biglaw?

Obviously 160k>100/110 whatever the number is, but if the average midlaw associate has a X greater percent chance of making partner and makes it say 8-9 years instead of 5-6 if they don't make partner, then that wouldn't be awful. Especially with the lower COL that would almost undoubtedly come with a midlaw job.

Others will know more about this than me, but you probably have a better chance at biglaw from WUSTL than midlaw from WUSTL. The legal industry, for the most part, really is one in which you're making $30k-$60k or $160k. Not a whole lot of options in the middle.

punkyg0608 wrote:

6thbackstreetboy wrote:I'm almost positive I'm going to take 129,000@WUSTL over 45,000@Michigan. I don't want biglaw, and I have no real preference on location. Graduating with 0 debt would be amazing compared to over 100k at Michigan. For me, it doesn't seem worth it...

I'm in the exact same situation, and I think it's going to come down to these two options unless my negotiations with UIUC are successful. Obviously I have no idea about your financial situation but keep in mind that cost of living at WUSTL is a predicted $20,000 per year. So for me, debt is unavoidable. The question really is how much debt. Then again, you have to add on the $20,000 a year to Michigan too. It's really impossible to go to law school for free unless you get a stipend.

Who has predicted WUSTL COL at $20,000 a year? Have they ever been to St. Louis?

punkyg0608 wrote:

6thbackstreetboy wrote:I'm almost positive I'm going to take 129,000@WUSTL over 45,000@Michigan. I don't want biglaw, and I have no real preference on location. Graduating with 0 debt would be amazing compared to over 100k at Michigan. For me, it doesn't seem worth it...

I'm in the exact same situation, and I think it's going to come down to these two options unless my negotiations with UIUC are successful. Obviously I have no idea about your financial situation but keep in mind that cost of living at WUSTL is a predicted $20,000 per year. So for me, debt is unavoidable. The question really is how much debt. Then again, you have to add on the $20,000 a year to Michigan too. It's really impossible to go to law school for free unless you get a stipend.

Yea my wife will be working though, so living expenses will be covered. My wife can also transfer to St. Louis, but not to Ann Arbor, and I don't think she could find anything in Ann Arbor paying her what she makes now. If I had to pay for COL too, I think I would be leaning even more to WUSTL, as loans would be over 150k...

STLMizzou wrote:

punkyg0608 wrote:

6thbackstreetboy wrote:I'm almost positive I'm going to take 129,000@WUSTL over 45,000@Michigan. I don't want biglaw, and I have no real preference on location. Graduating with 0 debt would be amazing compared to over 100k at Michigan. For me, it doesn't seem worth it...

I'm in the exact same situation, and I think it's going to come down to these two options unless my negotiations with UIUC are successful. Obviously I have no idea about your financial situation but keep in mind that cost of living at WUSTL is a predicted $20,000 per year. So for me, debt is unavoidable. The question really is how much debt. Then again, you have to add on the $20,000 a year to Michigan too. It's really impossible to go to law school for free unless you get a stipend.

Who has predicted WUSTL COL at $20,000 a year? Have they ever been to St. Louis?

How much is the actual COL at WUSTL?