Debt hypo (WUSTL v ND) Forum

[h2oplyer7]

So my fiancé is very debt averse, as am I. What do you all think about paying a total of 46k for Notre Dame when I could go to WUSTL for free? COA does not matter in this particular situation.

My fiancé wants me to go WUSTL, but I am leaning toward Notre Dame. Am I just being an idiot thinking Notre Dame is worth the money? I know I'm thinking with my heart, but is it a bad decision?

[untar614]

1) don't forget to factor in CoL into COA

2) Where are you from/have lived before/have family?

3) Where do you wan to practice


At 46k it's not terrible, but only if there's a very good reason for picking ND over WUSTL

[ManoftheHour]

They are peer schools. Unless you have a compelling personal reason to attend ND would make quality of life greater (like say SO/family/friends), WUSTL is the clear choice. If QoL is much better in ND, then I wouldn't blame you for going to ND.

With that said, 46k for ND is a great deal.

[jbagelboy]

Both are good options at those prices, but WUSTL is better IMO. Also, how are you getting 0 CoA? Is SO paying for CoL?

[kyle010723]

So my fiancé is very debt averse, as am I. What do you all think about paying a total of 46k for Notre Dame when I could go to WUSTL for free? COA does not matter in this particular situation.

My fiancé wants me to go WUSTL, but I am leaning toward Notre Dame. Am I just being an idiot thinking Notre Dame is worth the money? I know I'm thinking with my heart, but is it a bad decision?

The boss has spoken. Listen to your fiancé is the first step to a happy family

[h2oplyer7]

Thanks all. I'm just a huge Notre Dame fan. Obviously, that's not a compelling reason, but its just hard to say no.

As for the COA, the government pays me a stipend for both locations, though a few hundred dollars more for St. Louis.

I have a few weeks before I make my decision.

[kyle010723]

I mean, most everyone on TLS is extremely debt adverse, but if you are a huge domer, 50k is really not bad at all. As far as academic prestige, they are about the same. Would you spend 50k so you can say you are a Domer for the rest of your life? It seems like the answer is yes.

Personally, I went to a B1G school for UG, I just cannot see myself going to a D3 school.

In the end of the day, debt is just a factor to consider, a major factor at that, but if ND is where you have your heart set on, 50k should not stop you.

Edit: You have till the 28th to place your deposit at ND if you want to participate in the first round of OCI.

[BigZuck]

I would choose based on whereever transfers are most successful. Assuming its the same at both places I would go to ND since you are a huge domer homer. YOLO.

[MKC]

To change the scenario somewhat, and put it in terms easier to understand, think of WUSTL and ND as both being free, except WUSTL comes with one of these upon graduation:



Because that's what 46k not spent on tuition looks like.

[Presidentjlh]

Honestly, it's a toss-up here. Go where your heart tells you.

46k in debt isn't terrible, and Notre Dame is a good school.

[dstars823]

WUSTL is probably your best bet

[DoveBodyWash]

i'm not sure how wise it is to pick a law school based on the strength of its undergraduate athletic program...But then again I'm from the east coast so I never really understood ND's popularity. If it helps, St. Louis has pro hockey/football/baseball. I don't think 46K for ND is bad at all, i just don't know if it's worth paying 46k with interest so you can squeeze in three more seasons of Notre Dame football. I apologize if there's some other reason why you prefer ND btw, but based on what i've read it seems like a school spirit issue.

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school= ... =employers
http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school= ... =employers

[BigZuck]

i'm not sure how wise it is to pick a law school based on the strength of its undergraduate athletic program...But then again I'm from the east coast so I never really understood ND's popularity. If it helps, St. Louis has pro hockey/football/baseball. I don't think 46K for ND is bad at all, i just don't know if it's worth paying 46k with interest so you can squeeze in three more seasons of Notre Dame football. I apologize if there's some other reason why you prefer ND btw, but based on what i've read it seems like a school spirit issue.

If you read his other posts you'll also see that he is Catholic.

There's also the fiancée issue. I would feel much better about a SO getting a job in a large-ish city than in South Bend.

But you only live once, not twice. Gotta do what makes you happy.

[timbs4339]

Go to WUSTL. Spend 50K on tickets and hotel for Notre Dame football games.

[andythefir]

Where I am from no one has heard of WUSTL and everyone (including some lawyers) thinks NDLS is a top 10 school. I agree that there's no difference between the schools in some places, but in flyover country NDLS will open up waaaay more doors.

[DoveBodyWash]

Where I am from no one has heard of WUSTL and everyone (including some lawyers) thinks NDLS is a top 10 school. I agree that there's no difference between the schools in some places, but in flyover country NDLS will open up waaaay more doors.

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school= ... =employers
http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school= ... =employers

Based on comparing their LST pages, it doesn't look like there are many doors in flyover country

[Ti Malice]

OP, just so you know, if you're marrying a woman, you are the fiancé. She's the fiancée.

[Eberry]

Go to WUSTL. Spend 50K on tickets and hotel for Notre Dame football games.

[andythefir]

i'm not sure how wise it is to pick a law school based on the strength of its undergraduate athletic program...But then again I'm from the east coast so I never really understood ND's popularity. If it helps, St. Louis has pro hockey/football/baseball. I don't think 46K for ND is bad at all, i just don't know if it's worth paying 46k with interest so you can squeeze in three more seasons of Notre Dame football. I apologize if there's some other reason why you prefer ND btw, but based on what i've read it seems like a school spirit issue.

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school= ... =employers
http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school= ... =employers

Neither state by state breakdown accounts for >1/2 the graduates. I can't speak to all states, only where I am from (New Mexico), where ND has opened lots of doors.

[kyle010723]

Simply from LST data, 25% of WUSTL grad stays in MO, granted it may be self selection at work, but the statistical odds is you will most likely end up in MO. Whereas 23% of ND grad landed in IL or CA. Although it is a concern that non-employed for ND is at 16% whereas its 8% for WUSTL. One can never take satisitic on its face without further information.

But the bottom line is where do you want to work?

As you know, I am also facing the same decsion between ND and WUSTL, but for me, I have no desire to work in MO, I would rather work in Indiana than St. Louis, so perhaps ND makes more sense for me. But for you, only you know the answer.

Yes money is a factor and its a big one, but ND at that rate is not a terrible choice. And this is your chance to become a domer you always dreamed about. Balance your dream and reason, and see where your heart tells you to go. You cannot go wrong with either school.

[PRgradBYU]

Go to WUSTL. Spend 50K on tickets and hotel for Notre Dame football games.

TITCR

[romothesavior]

Go to WUSTL. Spend 50K on tickets and hotel for Notre Dame football games.

TITCR

Yep.

50k for ND isnt bad but WUSTL and ND are very comparable schools. ND isnt worth anywhere near 50k more than WUSTL.

[h2oplyer7]

I didn't know the fiancée/fiancé difference. It's only been three weeks so I'm still getting used to it. Thanks for the heads up.

[Ti Malice]

No problem, and congratulations!

[ndirish2010]

Well I paid a similar amount more for ND than UIUC, which was personally worth it for me, but I wouldn't tell another person to do the same. Also, as someone else who recently got engaged, you should do what your fiancee says.