Top Law Schools

Schools: GW and UPenn
Cost: 78k/yr Penn, 47k/yr GW (78k/yr - 31k/yr merit aid)
Financing: I can pay for 150k, loans pay the rest
Location: From outside Philly, living in DC for 3 years
Career Goals: As of now, biglaw patent litigation. Prefer to end up in DC, but I'd be fine with any major city on the east coast.

UPenn has an amazing program, is higher ranked, and has better biglaw numbers, but GW offers a great IP program and connections in the DC area. If money weren't a consideration, I would say Penn. I get the impression UPenn will keep the door open in Philly/NY moreso than GW. If I wanted to return to DC (which isn't a guarantee), would I likely end up at the same place regardless of GW/Penn (assuming good grades at both), or does Penn open up opportunities worth the extra 93k?

I'm also waitlisted at NYU and Columbia. Should I call them? UPenn wants an answer ASAP.

Thanks in advance.

31k at GW isn't enough to choose it over Penn but Penn isn't good enough to pay sticker (though it is close). I mean neither decision is terrible but I don't think most people on TLS would recommend either one. If you got into Penn and arn't a split take the 150k from NU or Cornell instead. If your a heavy splitter are Columbia or Chicago in the picture at all? Can we get more information?

170/3.23

Only GW, NYU, UPenn, and Columbia remain in consideration.

u ip?

Yea, 2+ years patent experience

I am confused. How are your CoAs the same?

Is that $100k debt if you go to Penn after your parents pay a bunch, or $100k at GW after the scholarship and your parents pay significantly less? Would you graduate GW for free (no loans) and Penn with $100k?

If the above serves as an accurate description, and you are patent bar eligible with WE, I would probably say GW. You'll be relatively ipsecure and with no debt it wouldn't be catastrophic if you still misses the boat.

If either school would land you in six figure debt, Penn.

jbagelboy wrote:I am confused. How are your CoAs the same?

Thanks, edited the phrasing to avoid confusion.

http://www.lstscorereports.com/compare/penn/gw/

I'd probably pick Penn in this situation.

It's still kind of confusing. The COAs are before your 150k in scholarships/family funding or whatever, right? And it includes cost of living?

If those assumptions are right, then 150k > 47k x 3. So GW would be totally free. I'd probably do that.

^if those assumptions are right, then i think that Penn at <90k is a steal

PENN no doubt.