WUSTL ($$$) vs. GW Forum

[oconnorrm]

Having to chose between Wash U (with a $30,000/year scholarship) and George Washington (sticker). I will be paying my tuition upfront, without accumulating loans. I want to be in DC long-term career wise, but am struggling to justify paying full price for GW over discounted WUSTL.

LSAT: 169 (taken only once)
GPA: 3.56

WUSTL COA: ~$55K
GW COA: ~$150K

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[beepboopbeep]

I hate to be that guy, but is retaking an option? My gpa isn't much better, but with a 173 I was deciding between $ at NYU and $$ at CLS (though to be fair, the latter was totally need-based). If your first was 169 it's hard to imagine a bit more studying couldn't get you into the 170s and then t14 opens up a bit more, even with your splitter gpa.

Gun to my head: deposit at WUSTL, retake in June and reapply if you can bump it up a few points. I don't really think WUSTL is good for your DC goals, but GW at sticker is unconscionable.

[DoveBodyWash]

Eh..this is harder because you're paying upfront. Are you incurring loans for housing and living expenses? Or are those taken care of too? I think WUSTL is the better financial choice but if you really want D.C. then i vote GW if debt isn't an issue for you.

But whichever one you choose, deposit at one and re-take in June just to see how you do. If you do much better, withdraw and re-apply.

[oconnorrm]

Retaking isn't an option.

Have tried to leverage scholarship at WUSTL into something at GW, but they haven't come back with any merit aid.

I wouldn't occur any living expenses. Regardless, still hard to justify the $100K more for GW, or really DC.

[DoveBodyWash]

Retaking isn't an option.

Have tried to leverage scholarship at WUSTL into something at GW, but they haven't come back with any merit aid.

I wouldn't occur any living expenses. Regardless, still hard to justify the $100K more for GW, or really DC.

well it comes down to how much you're willing to pay for D.C.

WashU places some ppl in D.C. every year but not enough to gamble on if you're D.C. or bust

[y2zipper]

What are you doing that let's you pay up front? If that's a job, you may wanna keep it.

WUSTL is worth the price here, but I'd urge you to retake and deposit.

[WokeUpInACar]

Your reason for not retaking isn't good enough, I promise you.

[dawyzest1]

well it comes down to how much you're willing to pay for D.C.

WashU places some ppl in D.C. every year but not enough to gamble on if you're D.C. or bust

This is the right answer if you don't do anything to expand your options.

[Doorkeeper]

Retake and reapply. Any other choice is a bad decision.

[TheNextAmendment]

OP...you're COA numbers are off..GW pre interest is over 200k.

[romothesavior]

Between these two options, WUSTL wins by a landslide.

But retaking is the best option of all.

[jbagelboy]

Between these two options, WUSTL wins by a landslide.

But retaking is the best option of all.

+1

[BigZuck]

Car and Romo hit both nails on the head.

Definitely retake

[NoodleyOne]

I had a 3.5 and my first take was a 169.

I retook and now have $$$ at UVA and NYU with multiple other T14 acceptances. Retaking is on the short list of best things I've ever done.

[jbagelboy]

I had a 3.5 and my first take was a 169.

I retook and now have $$$ at UVA and NYU with multiple other T14 acceptances. Retaking is on the short list of best things I've ever done.

and what a beautiful retake it was....

[Ti Malice]

Between these two options, WUSTL wins by a landslide.

But retaking is the best option of all.

Your reason for not retaking isn't good enough, I promise you.

[jbagelboy]

Retake is obvious

--

otherwise, so that you have at least a kernel of an answer between the choices, in theory: WUSTL

[Dr. Dre]

gun to my dome, WUSTL

[Micdiddy]

Noodleyone is a good one to reference with how much better you can do with the same gpa, but, I also have a similar gpa (slightly less actually) and only have 173 and got an 80% scholly from a t13.
The reason I am saying this is because I am sure with your 169 a 173 feels extraordinarily "within reach." Heck, look at the curve if the test you took, probably 4 more questions right and you got yourself a 173 and much, much better prospects.
Neither of these schools is worth that price. Retaking is the best choice. Good luck!

[North]

If you are DC or bust, the answer is retake.

[timbs4339]

GW is too much debt for the job prospects- from the look of it you're in a better spot now. WUSTL is not horrible at that cost, but not good for the majorly saturated DC market.

[boblawlob]

I'm surprised Cornell or GULC are not calling for you.