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BS/MS in engineering plus 2 years experience. Currently working in consulting in DC and looking for Technical Specialist/Scientific Adviser positions at an IP firm that pays tuition for PT law students.

Cornell
-No scholarship - total COA: $250k
-T14, better employment prospects
-Better placement in NYC

GW (PT)
-If I don't get a firm job and continue my current job (~$80k/year) - total COA: $60-80k
-4 years patent experience at graduation
-Higher first-year salary (depending on firms)
-Better placement in DC


I am only interested in patent law (but not sure about prosecution or litigation). I am fairly certain I want to practice in DC, and I would prefer to work at a IP Boutique (Fish, Finnegan, Oblon, etc) but would like the option to work in general practice biglaw firm with IP Lit departments (Kirkland, etc).

Also, I'm PWL at GULC PT - or else that would be my top choice.

Better choice?

GWU by a mile.

Need to know your stats. You should probably stay another year at your job and retake.

3.2/166

I was actually quite surprised by the Cornell acceptance given my stats (but softs are very unique).

Nelson, I would agree with you but I am a reapplicant and I've taken the LSAT three times within 2 years already (Oct 2012, Dec 2012, Oct 2013) so I can't take retake until Dec 2014. Plus, I reused my LORs from last cycle so I think they would become dated for another application round. Last cycle, my highest LSAT was 161 and I was dinged by both schools.

Even if I retook at hypothetically scored a 170, I would still have a tough time receiving a high enough scholarship from a lower T14 to make it comparable to going to GW PT given my GPA.

GW and its not close.

If it was me, I'd take GW and not look back. I don't think, given your particular stats, that there will be a significant difference in employment outcomes between GW and GTown for you. And there is absolutely no reason to spend an extra $150k+ to go to Cornell.

That said, if you're really set on GTown, TCR is to just wait and retake. Since you're working, you won't really lose anything by taking the time, and it could open up a lot of other options for you.

If you want to stay in DC that COA for GW is really reasonable and probably won't get lower with a retake. GW in your situation sounds like a great option.

Original redacted

if you can land that patent agent/technical specialist position in DC and go to GW, firms will be begging you to work for them. It's like the best deal ever. Obviously, if you don't have the patent bar yet, get it before you start law school. There are lots of people at GW who are doing what you are planning on and all of them are really successful.