GW vs. Emory (both $$) Forum

[mxy_1216]

First post here... I applied very late this cycle and only applied to 5 schools (too bad), but here's my situation.

GW - $30,000 per year ($90,000 three years), COA is around $120 k for three years
Emory - $37,000 per year ($111,000 three years), COA is around $95k-10k for three years
Also have W &M but I don't like the school after the ASW so no...
Gtown - wait list but even though admitted I won't be able to afford it.

My background - Feb. 2014 LSAT 166 (first try 162 in Oct. 2013), GPA 3.76 with Political Science and Economics double major. International student on student visa, so not eligible for loans or grants in the U.S.

My concerns - debating between GW and Emory. I am very into biglaw and plan to work in gov't affairs/int'l trade+governance practice area, very D.C. focus. I need both good law school performance and connections to get into the field so definitely GW is my top choice but Emory's offer is very tempting (considering the COL and scholarship.)
I want to stay in D.C. but I am not sure if I am able to negotiate more scholarship from GW.
Emory is far from D.C., and honestly I do not want to leave D.C. unless for a better school.

I would feel very appreciated if you could give me some suggestions. If someone can give me some hints about negotiation strategy with GW that would be great - I would buy you lunch or brunch when you are in town! Also to people who are thinking of moving to D.C. and wondering about COL here, PM me - it's a very expensive city (especially rent), but there are definitely ways to substantially lower your COL. Don't be scared from the number on GW Law's website, you won't spend that much.

P.S. - I did not try T14s besides Gtown because I know I won't be able to afford it. Only tried Gtown coz I know it's a great weight when negotiating with GW (obviously I don't have it now sigh.) As I said I am not eligible for loans and grants so it's totally depends on my scholarship and family support (....adult baby here... plz slightly judge... thanks!) I am thinking of retaking and asking GW for more scholly, but I cannot guarantee a substantially higher number aka 170+. My score range from last practice period was 168-172 and I generally do worse during real tests.

Let me know if you want more info - thank you all!

[The Dark Shepard]

Retake in June. It's playing with house money, as someone here once put it. If you've already put a deposit in somewhere, they can't take it from you or lessen scholarship. If you do well, you can negotiate, saying that you will wait a cycle and theoretically get into better schools(also, if you get 170+, with your GPA I think you'd get $ from lower-T14 schools). It could also get you off the G'Town waitlist with money

[Eaturgreenz]

Also, your GW COA is off. With your scholarship, you're paying 22k in tuition plus 30k in living expenses (assuming you want to stay over the summer and intern). The issue with most people budgeting for law school is that they use the COL that the law schools provide which doesn't account for the summer.

[mxy_1216]

Thanks - I've been thinking about retaking too but as I said, wasn't sure if I can get any higher but honestly I'm just lazy and tired of school so my bad.

Regarding COL - I live in D.C. and am a undergrad at GW now so I think that COL is pretty fair to me. That's about how much I spend through the year including summer w/o part-time job earning. PM me if you want details.

Thank you both!

[treeey86]

Even though Emory can place you into DC, it's hard. GW if you are set on DC.

[mxy_1216]

Thanks!