Vandy vs Emory vs UGA ... & maybe Duke Forum

[jbernest]

I am considering Vanderbilt, Emory, and Georgia. I have received a total of $54,000 from Vanderbilt and $45,000 from Emory, and none yet from UGA. With all things included, it would cost me an extra $46,000 to attend Vandy over UGA, and an extra $6,000 to attend Emory over Vandy. I would be financing almost all of my education with loans.

Obviously the ties to UGA are mainly cost-related, and I recently received my undergraduate degree from there. I most likely want to work in Atlanta upon graduation (but would possibly be open to other cities within the Southeast). I want to go into the private sector (either working at a law firm or in the finance or sports industry).

Is there any reason to choose Emory over Vandy, or UGA over either of those two? I am unsure of how class rank at each school affects employment opportunities, especially in this economy.

Lastly, I am on the waitlist at Duke. If I am accepted does that trump all of the others even without any financial aid? Thanks so much for any and all help!

[North]

You can scratch Emory off your list. There isn't a world where it's worth more than Vanderbilt.

Have you already negotiated for additional scholarship money?

What are the total costs of attendance at each school, including cost of living (rent, food, etc.)?

[hephaestus]

That's too much money for Vandy (and way too much for Emory). What is your Lsat/GPA?

[WokeUpInACar]

I think that is too much debt for Vandy, but it's probably worth the ~40k more than UGA. Emory shouldn't be an option.

[jbernest]

North - I have negotiated with UGA but have yet to negotiate with the other two. I am planning to visit their campuses in the near future and I will then.

Imnoscar - lsat is 161 (took twice), gpa is 3.84 in finance

thanks again for all of the help, i have no idea what to do as of right now and am getting all sorts of differing opinions

[WokeUpInACar]

You need to retake the LSAT sir. Unless you studied for hundreds of hours you haven't even come near your potential, and 5+ more points would massively improve your options.

[rad lulz]

Get a job in finance while you retake the LSAT

[MyNameIsFlynn!]

Are you URm?

If not, congrats on the schollies with your numbers. In any case, you should retake.

[North]

Imnoscar - lsat is 161 (took twice), gpa is 3.84

Oh man, you need to retake the LSAT. I'd kill for that GPA, please don't waste it.

[hephaestus]

North - I have negotiated with UGA but have yet to negotiate with the other two. I am planning to visit their campuses in the near future and I will then.

Imnoscar - lsat is 161 (took twice), gpa is 3.84 in finance

thanks again for all of the help, i have no idea what to do as of right now and am getting all sorts of differing opinions

Would you consider retaking? That's a trenendous GPA. With a few more points you could easily get into Duke or UVA. Either school is a much better fit for your goals.

[jbernest]

thanks for all of the input. is there a world where i should not retake? i am open to the idea, i have just never considered it until now

[WokeUpInACar]

thanks for all of the input. is there a world where i should not retake? i am open to the idea, i have just never considered it until now

You have such an amazing GPA, and a few months of intense study could mean you'd be paying less to attend Duke or UVA than you're paying at Vandy right now.

Edit: This is going to affect the rest of your life, and studying for the LSAT might be the best hourly rate you ever attain in your life. The long term difference could easily be hundreds of thousands.

[MyNameIsFlynn!]

thanks for all of the input. is there a world where i should not retake? i am open to the idea, i have just never considered it until now

If a 161 got you $ at Vandy and WL at duke, 165ish would probably get you in at T10-14 and 170 could get you $$$$ at Duke/UVA. Your gpa is great, the LSAT is the only thing holding you back and it's a learnable test

p.s. the Atl legal market is a shitshow. Search around on these forums for info on it, but tl;dr it's one of the hardest to get an offer in. Be prepared to end up elsewhere.

[BigZuck]

There is not a universe where you should not retake the LSAT.

You got WL at Duke with a 161 which must mean your application is pretty good otherwise. 168+ you're looking at money and 170+ probably serious money. 3.7/169 was getting 90K there this cycle. Definitely retake, I know at least one TLSer who made an 8 point jump, you can too.

[MKC]

There is not a universe where you should not retake the LSAT.

You got WL at Duke with a 161 which must mean your application is pretty good otherwise. 168+ you're looking at money and 170+ probably serious money. 3.7/169 was getting 90K there this cycle. Definitely retake, I know at least one TLSer who made an 8 point jump, you can too.

158 -> 166 checking in

I didn't have time to retake again, or I would have. Also, I too would kill for a 3.84.

[North]

There is not a universe where you should not retake the LSAT.

You got WL at Duke with a 161 which must mean your application is pretty good otherwise. 168+ you're looking at money and 170+ probably serious money. 3.7/169 was getting 90K there this cycle. Definitely retake, I know at least one TLSer who made an 8 point jump, you can too.

158 -> 166 checking in

I didn't have time to retake again, or I would have. Also, I too would kill for a 3.84.

152 post-study diagnostic ---> 168 ---> 173 here OP. Wish I had your 3.8.

Retake. Use TLS to study.

[TheThriller]

Retake and enjoy Vandy for near free and a UVA/DUKE (sky's the limit if you absolutely crank dat lsat honestly)

[Doorkeeper]

Get a job in finance while you retake the LSAT

This.

OP you need to retake that 161. Do not waste your 3.84 GPA. If you improve even 4-5 points then the T14 becomes a definite possibility.

[gregfootball2001]

I agree that Emory should be off the table regardless - not worth it.

I'd say Retake>Vandy>UGA.

[TheThriller]

OP, can you provide us with COA for each, not scholarships amounts please?

[PRgradBYU]

OP, can you provide us with COA for each, not scholarships amounts please?

[jayman12]

OP, can you provide us with COA for each, not scholarships amounts please?

[FlowBro]

158-171 here. You can do it.

[jbernest]

COA for each (housing is the only living expense included, since I would have these regardless): Vandy is 131,500, Emory is 136,100, UGA is 85,900

[BigZuck]

COA for each (housing is the only living expense included, since I would have these regardless): Vandy is 131,500, Emory is 136,100, UGA is 85,900

I have no idea what this means.

How much will you be in debt at graduation from each school? Include total cost of attendance minus scholarships, plus tuition increases, plus interest.