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Was completely set on attending Wake Forest a couple days ago for around $25,000 total COA. Yesterday, Notre Dame accepted me with scholarship, putting the total COA around $98,000. These numbers account for interest.

My goal is biglaw, though the odds are stacked against me. A clerkship would be sweet as well. So basically, the usual TLS goals. I'm from NC. I don't mind moving for a better probability for my dream outcome. Thoughts?

sdmelzer wrote:Was completely set on attending Wake Forest a couple days ago for around $25,000 total COA. Yesterday, Notre Dame accepted me with scholarship, putting the total COA around $98,000. These numbers account for interest.

My goal is biglaw, though the odds are stacked against me. A clerkship would be sweet as well. So basically, the usual TLS goals. I'm from NC. I don't mind moving for a better probability for my dream outcome. Thoughts?

ND

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Accept that the probability of BigLaw is miniscule. Otherwise, that's a good price for Wake.

sdmelzer wrote: My goal is biglaw, though the odds are stacked against me. A clerkship would be sweet as well. So basically, the usual TLS goals. I'm from NC. I don't mind moving for a better probability for my dream outcome. Thoughts?

retake

How can this be COA? The cost of food/rent/etc. is $20k a year, so I assume what you mean is $25k in tuition cost. For that, I think it's a very good price (~$85k in total attendance cost). The change of big law is not "minuscule" its 10-15%. So it's not the most likely result, but some people will get it. A lot more likely is a job paying $60k or so.

sdmelzer wrote:Was completely set on attending Wake Forest a couple days ago for around $25,000 total COA. Yesterday, Notre Dame accepted me with scholarship, putting the total COA around $98,000. These numbers account for interest.

My goal is biglaw, though the odds are stacked against me. A clerkship would be sweet as well. So basically, the usual TLS goals. I'm from NC. I don't mind moving for a better probability for my dream outcome. Thoughts?

Would you mind spending a few months studying and retaking the LSAT to DRASTICALLY improve your probability for a dream outcome?

framboozer wrote:Accept that the probability of BigLaw is miniscule. Otherwise, that's a good price for Wake.

This. Wake's 66.7% employment rate isn't horrible (although it's certainly not good).

But your best option is going to be RETAKE.

Retaking is not an option. I have already used my attempts. Standardized tests are not something I excel at.

In terms of COA, I have family assistance. So yes, the COA is in fact the actual total COA.

sdmelzer wrote:Retaking is not an option. I have already used my attempts. Standardized tests are not something I excel at.

In terms of COA, I have family assistance. So yes, the COA is in fact the actual total COA.

It's up to you. I'd say definitely wake if you are comfortable practicing in NC or nearby. The employment outcomes aren't really that different, and the cost difference is a downpayment on a $400,000 house (plus you will be paying interest on the debt).

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Wakelaw15 wrote:How can this be COA? The cost of food/rent/etc. is $20k a year, so I assume what you mean is $25k in tuition cost. For that, I think it's a very good price (~$85k in total attendance cost). The change of big law is not "minuscule" its 10-15%. So it's not the most likely result, but some people will get it. A lot more likely is a job paying $60k or so.

20k for a year of food and rent in Winston-Salem seems like your getting ripped off

rad lulz wrote:

sdmelzer wrote:Retaking is not an option. I have already used my attempts. Standardized tests are not something I excel at.

In terms of COA, I have family assistance. So yes, the COA is in fact the actual total COA.

Go to Wake and come up w some more achievable goals

I'm not biglaw or bust. If I cannot attain biglaw, so be it. But I would like to have at least a chance to crack it.

Notre Dame is absolutely not worth 75k more than Wake Forest when you have NC ties.

I'm impressed by your COA.
How much scholarship did ND give you?

sdmelzer wrote:

rad lulz wrote:

sdmelzer wrote:Retaking is not an option. I have already used my attempts. Standardized tests are not something I excel at.

In terms of COA, I have family assistance. So yes, the COA is in fact the actual total COA.

Go to Wake and come up w some more achievable goals

I'm not biglaw or bust. If I cannot attain biglaw, so be it. But I would like to have at least a chance to crack it.

Neither school gives a good chance. So go to Wake or don't go.

jad0re wrote:I'm impressed by your COA.
How much scholarship did ND give you?

More than they have given anyone else on lsn with my numbers, that's for sure. I like the Notre Dame name, I like the slightly better placement. I understand that 75k is a lot of money. It is just an opportunity I wasn't expecting to have. I feel like if Wake hadn't made such a great offer, it wouldn't even be close. But I guess I am fortunate enough to decide between two great offers.

Wake Forest for $25k with NC ties is a good set-up.

You need to accept that there is an 85% chance that you do not get biglaw and a 95% chance you will not get a clerkship. On to of that, remember that you are not a special snowflake.

Doorkeeper wrote:Wake Forest for $25k with NC ties is a good set-up.

You need to accept that there is an 85% chance that you do not get biglaw and a 95% chance you will not get a clerkship. On to of that, remember that you are not a special snowflake.

I agree with this. I think WF wins this easy, but understand your odds of biglaw aren't good at all. Whether you want to call them "miniscule" or not (we can quibble over phrasing) you're still not likely at all to get it. Even from ND, you've got a ~30%ish chance at a firm of 100+. Keep that in mind. I vote WF.

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ajax adonis wrote:I'd go WF if I had to choose one (not that I would choose one) because the chances of clerking or big law out of ND aren't big enough to make up the scholarship difference.

This is probably the answer you want to hear, OP. But the answer you need to hear is retake. You'd be surprised at how much 8-10 points can improve your admissions cycle and actually make law school worth the investment.

PRgradBYU wrote:

ajax adonis wrote:I'd go WF if I had to choose one (not that I would choose one) because the chances of clerking or big law out of ND aren't big enough to make up the scholarship difference.

This is probably the answer you want to hear, OP. But the answer you need to hear is retake. You'd be surprised at how much 8-10 points can improve your admissions cycle and actually make law school worth the investment.

I would retake if I could. That is the advice I got twice after my initial attempts, and I did indeed retake. But these are the cards I have been dealt.

sdmelzer wrote:

PRgradBYU wrote:

ajax adonis wrote:I'd go WF if I had to choose one (not that I would choose one) because the chances of clerking or big law out of ND aren't big enough to make up the scholarship difference.

This is probably the answer you want to hear, OP. But the answer you need to hear is retake. You'd be surprised at how much 8-10 points can improve your admissions cycle and actually make law school worth the investment.

I would retake if I could. That is the advice I got twice after my initial attempts, and I did indeed retake. But these are the cards I have been dealt.

If you insist on playing with the cards you've been dealt, I would go with WF; that being said, make sure you reassess your goals, as BigLaw from WF is a long shot.

PRgradBYU wrote:
If you insist on playing with the cards you've been dealt, I would go with WF; that being said, make sure you reassess your goals, as BigLaw from WF is a long shot.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I know that I have an overwhelming chance of not getting it. But you gotta have hope

sdmelzer wrote:

PRgradBYU wrote:
If you insist on playing with the cards you've been dealt, I would go with WF; that being said, make sure you reassess your goals, as BigLaw from WF is a long shot.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I know that I have an overwhelming chance of not getting it. But you gotta have hope

You've also gotta be realistic. Good luck!