Super Splitter Seeking Support (Emory vs. WUSTL vs. Wait) Forum

[njdevils2626]

Hey everyone, I'm just going to be very straight-forward in saying that I'm looking for your advice and help in making this decision. I understand it's a huge financial commitment and don't want to come to a decision like this that could significantly impact my future without considering all available options. Thank you in advance for your time and help. Anyways, here we go:

Schools Considering
I have applied to the following schools, with the following results:

Boston College: Awaiting Reply
Boston University: Awaiting Reply
Columbia University: Awaiting Reply
Duke University: Awaiting Reply
Emory University:Accepted with 25K/yr - Total COA per their estimates = $190
George Mason University: Accepted with 12K/yr - Withdrawn
George Washington: Awaiting Reply
Northwestern University: Awaiting Reply
New York University: Rejected (unsurprisingly)
Vanderbilt University: Awaiting Reply
University of Alabama: Awaiting Reply
University of British Columbia (Canada): Waitlisted (Awaiting reply on discretionary category)
University of Florida: Accepted, no clue on money - Will almost certainly be withdrawing soon
University of Minnesota: Waitlisted (Wasn't a huge draw to me anyways)
University of Texas: Awaiting Reply
University of Washington: Rejected (this one surprised me, actually)
UC - Berkeley: Rejected (unsurprisingly)
UC - Davis: Awaiting Reply
UCLA: Awaiting Reply
USC: Awaiting Reply
Wake Forest: Accepted with 25K/yr - Withdrawn
William & Mary: Waitlisted
Washington University in St. Louis: Accepted with 25K/yr- Total COA per their estimates = $176K

Now, I understand that as it stands right now my only real options are Emory or WUSTL and that they both incur significant costs. Please read the entire post before just jumping in and just telling me that fact. If, at the end of this post, that is the only comment and advice that you have, then please feel free to share it, I'm very open-minded in all of this, but make sure to consider everything please. I know I am waiting on a lot of responses still (as a super splitter I pretty much edcided my best bet was to apply everywhere possible), but I wanted to make everyone aware of the full context of the decision.

Financing

Clearly, these are exorbitant costs. While I will likely be able to save from these totals, it's always better to over-estimate so I will use these calculations. Luckily, I will not be taking out the cost of attendance in loans. My COL will almost assuredly be paid by my parents and I believe a decent portion of tuition will be as well. It is likely that my parents will cover the COL and all of tuition, but ask me to repay most of the tuition costs over time. The good news is that I will not have to repay interest on these loans and won't be forced to do so before it is possible, but I would still like to save myself and my parents as much money as possible.

Locations and Ties

Here's the kicker - I am a Canadian, having spent my entire life in Montreal, Quebec. I want to work and live in the US, though I'm obviously not against staying in Canada. Where in the US? That's a good question. I'm open to either coast and any climate. I wouldn't mind living in Central US either, so long as I am living in a major/large city with things to do and people to see. I need to be active and I like being out and walking the streets of a busy city with people all around. I would hate myself if I ended up living in the rural countryside someplace. Aside from that fairly non-restrictive qualifier, I'm open to living wherever I find a job.

Career

My head-in-the-clouds dream job has always been working as a sports agent, specifically working in baseball under Scott Boras. Yes, I know that these jobs go to almost nobody, that's why I said it was my dream. Will I work towards it? You bet your ass I will, but that doesn't mean I'm blind to reality and realize this may not be my ultimate outcome, and yes, I am okay with that.

That said, I will also push strongly for Biglaw. No specific market really, if I'm being honest, I just want to be proud of the firm I work for and in the work that I do. I want to work for a firm into which I can pour my life and soul. Think Louis Litt in Suits, he lives for that firm. That's what I want. I don't mind a 70-hour work week, I'm just coming off working my usual 11-hour workday so I'm used to putting in the hours and I love doing it.

Understanding that Biglaw is not the most likely option from any of these schools, I would be okay making a good salary and working in-house (don't know if that's even a viable option, I don't know much about these positions) or working Mid-law in a regionally reputable firm that I could hopefully be proud of.

Now for the good news: my backup option, should none of these work out. I have wanted to be a lawyer for a long time, but I understand that we can't always get what we want. I've spent the last three years working part-time for a top 4 Canadian Accounting Services firm, dealing mostly in bankruptcy and insolvency proposals, leading negotiations with major corporations and the government, and sitting in on arbitration and mediation processes. I love what I do and, as such, really want to study and practice ADR. My current firm loves me and wants me to stay in order to become a trustee but I want to follow my dreams first. Should law school not work out or should I find employment scarce, I know I will always have the opportunity to become a trustee and work for my current firm in Canada.

Stats

I have taken the LSAT twice now, scoring a 167 (which was my lowest ever score) and a 172 (around my average on PTs). I don't know how much another retake would help, really, as the problem with my application is not my LSAT, but my GPA which is a disappointing ~2.9. After this semester, that number will likely rise above 3.1 though. There are a couple of factors explaining the low GPA. Firstly, I studied at McGill University (notorious for grade deflation, but that's not the point) and, as a Quebec Student, entered university as a U1, giving me only three years to complete my degree. I spent the first year studying Neuroscience and hated it, resulting in a very poor GPA my second semester after I knew I would switch to Political Science. Most importantly, however, during my first semester in Political Science I suffered a heart attack right before finals. Not wanting to waste the entire semester of work, I completed my finals and the next semester with a full course load, but obviously didn't get the grades I could have gotten. This final year has really been the only true assessment of my abilities and I am doing fairly well.

Conclusion

Firstly, thank you to anyone still alive and reading this, I greatly appreciate it. I applied extremely late in the cycle after scoring a 172 on the February LSAT so I'm still waiting for many responses. What I'm really wondering, I guess, is whether I should even be considering going to law school at any of these options (or potential options) or if my best bet financially would be to sit out a year and apply early in the cycle next year with the 172 for the full cycle.

Thank you in advance and really, really sorry for writing so much.

[transferror]

1) Advice is pointless until you hear back from the big names

2) You should most likely sit out this year, keep working, and get that 172 out there as soon as apps open up to maximize the value of your LSAT.

3) On my list of "top reasons to excuse a low GPA," having a heart attack before finals is close to the top. You'll be fine.

Don't be depressed if this cycle doesn't pan out since you applied so late. See #2. WUSTL will throw way more cash at a 172 early in the cycle.

[Clearly]

Have you considered a career as a novelist?

[njdevils2626]

Have you considered a career as a novelist?

Haha, I apologize for the wall of text, I just wanted any people offering advice to have the full context of the decisions. Plus I felt I was a slightly unique applicant due to the heart attack.

That said, I like to believe that I am a talented writer but before considering a career as a novelist, I'd hope to see this talent translate to my hopeful career as a lawyer

[Clearly]

Northwestern is gonna be your best somewhat viable option, so much so that if you don't get in, I'd apply next cycle in Sept.

[Clearly]

Also Boras is a crook.

[njdevils2626]

Northwestern is gonna be your best somewhat viable option, so much so that if you don't get in, I'd apply next cycle in Sept.

Thanks for the advice, I'm hoping it works out this cycle but we shall see