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I'm currently debating whether should attend WUSTL with a guaranteed $100,000 scholly. I don't want to practice in MO (I want DC or NY or possibly Chicago but seriously who doesn't?). My debt load would still be $150,000 after undergrad. But I still love the idea of law school since it's been a life-long dream and I feel like this is a tremendous offer for my numbers (I did have solid softs).

My other option is a little bit different. I've been accepted into an economic development program at a UK ivy because I'm interested in working in that field which I feel would suite my lifestyle more but doesn't have the same financial potential at least not initially. Also, I've already done substantial work preparing for leaving. From what I've done networking it seems that I have a decent shot at getting a position out of grad school. Also, I can try for the PMF, a Fulbright, Pathways, etc. which if I get, sets me up for a long time. Debt load is 90k and that includes living in the UK/travel. (As a side note, I didn't apply to US programs because most jobs in the field want international experience/education).

I'm honestly torn. Thoughts?

You sound uncertain about law school. That being the case, paired with having to still take out a decent amount of loans: Don't go to law school. If in a few years you decide you do want to go, then reapply (preferably with a better LSAT) and you could hopefully be a more attractive candidate. Don't spend 3 years and thousands of dollars on something that you might want to do.

You should decide whether you actually want to be a lawyer. If the answer is yes, then you should retake the LSAT so you're not blatantly wasting that GPA.

Id do the Oxbridge/LSE economic development masters/phd and then retake the LSAT and head to a T13 law school with lower debt in a few years if you're still interested in practicing law. If its not one of those 3, Id seriously consider the merits of the program and whether it will land you a job -- I say this because those are the three schools that could provide a legitimate boost to employment or LS app in the states. I wouldn't go to UCL or Edinburgh or something else with the same aspirations.

Don't go into $150,000 of debt and expect the WUStL degree to pull you out of it (great school, not that great IMO).

Let me get this straight: You don't want to practice in MO. You want to work in DC or NY or possibly Chicago. And yet you are considering a school that doesn't place well in biglaw generally, and when it does, it doesn't place well in any of the markets you are considering?

Very confused as to why you aren't looking at schools in the northeast or Chicago.

BC/BU/Fordham are your 15-25 schools that place well in NYC.
GW is your 15-25 school that places well in D.C.
ND is your 15-25 school that places well in Chicago.

The only market you are "possibly" considering that WUSTL places mediocre in is Chicago, and you are going to have to do extremely well to get Chicago biglaw from WUSTL. You should be considering the schools above based on your market preference.

It sounds like you want to go to the UK. WUSTL is a good school, but not for what you would want to use a law degree for since the odds at NY/DC/Chi Biglaw are fairly low.

Informative wrote:Let me get this straight: You don't want to practice in MO. You want to work in DC or NY or possibly Chicago. And yet you are considering a school that doesn't place well in biglaw generally, and when it does, it doesn't place well in any of the markets you are considering?

Very confused as to why you aren't looking at schools in the northeast or Chicago.

BC/BU/Fordham are your 15-25 schools that place well in NYC.
GW is your 15-25 school that places well in D.C.
ND is your 15-25 school that places well in Chicago.

The only market you are "possibly" considering that WUSTL places mediocre in is Chicago, and you are going to have to do extremely well to get Chicago biglaw from WUSTL. You should be considering the schools above based on your market preference.

I think it has a lot to do with the 100K scholly. I'm assuming if he had a 100K to go to BU or GW he'd be there.

Chicago biglaw is imploding right now. DC is one of the most competitive markets to get from any school. And WUSTL consistently sends a lot of people to the full range of vault NY firms.

/WUSTL pseudo defense.

rinkrat19 wrote:You should decide whether you actually want to be a lawyer. If the answer is yes, then you should retake the LSAT so you're not blatantly wasting that GPA.

This. If you want to go to law school, retake and go to a T14 that can get you to NY. But I'd take option 2.

Thanks for the feedback, I think I'm going to decline the offer then. I also under performed on the LSAT because I was Pting at 166 or so.

Thanks again

TatteredDignity wrote:WUSTL consistently sends a lot of people to the full range of vault NY firms.

wat

Also: *needs source*