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GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 8:43 am
by SowhatsNU
Hi All, thought I'd create this thread in the hopes that someone can offer me some insight into this decision.

I want to practice in Chicago, and I'd like to go into Biglaw (with loans these days who really has a choice?)

I got a total of 45k from Wash U, and 30k from GW, and was still debating as to which one to attend.

I'm aware that cost of living in STL in much cheaper, but because it's just three years, that's not my main concern-I just want to attend the place that will set me up the best for my career goals.

I'm on the waitlist at two top 10s and two more top 14s, so if I got into one of those I would probably go at sticker (thoughts?)

Any advice would be really appreciated!

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 9:14 am
by WheatThins
Obviously the correct choice it's to retake.

But since you probably won't, the correct choice is not to go.

But since you probably will, the correct choice us whichever is in the area you want to practice.

Both options are much too expensive for you.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 9:29 am
by SnakySalmon
I don't think WUSTL is a terrible option here, but you should absolutely retake instead. Your GPA can get you a ton of money at both of these schools with just a few more points.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 9:36 am
by TheSpanishMain
SowhatsNU wrote:
I'm on the waitlist at two top 10s and two more top 14s, so if I got into one of those I would probably go at sticker (thoughts?)
Thoughts are "that's dumb". You have an awesome GPA. Retake for Northwestern with money. Don't let impatience sabotage your life/career.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 9:39 am
by McAvoy
TheSpanishMain wrote:
SowhatsNU wrote:
I'm on the waitlist at two top 10s and two more top 14s, so if I got into one of those I would probably go at sticker (thoughts?)
Thoughts are "that's dumb". You have an awesome GPA. Retake for Northwestern with money. Don't let impatience sabotage your life/career.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 10:06 am
by Otunga
You must retake OP. I was offered a full scholarship at WUSTL and still would've been in 60k debt, at minimum, for living expense loans. With 15k per year, you're going to be constrained by a debt mountain, and only 1/4 grads, on average, have a good chance at getting out of the mountain (getting biglaw). If you must go, then WUSTL because of its geography. But really consider that.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 10:24 am
by LET'S GET IT
I'm hoping that one of the WL's you are riding is NU, and that you get in there. That would be easily the best bet for your career goals. Even NU at sticker is crazy to me, but I'm fairly debt adverse. WASHU and GW at those prices are to steep, unless you have rich parents paying for it or something. I would sit a year and retake, but good luck whatever you decide to do.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 5:25 pm
by Nammertat
1) Retake.

-but assuming you won't-

2) If IP, go GW. If not IP, go WU

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 5:33 pm
by d cooper
SowhatsNU wrote:I just want to attend the place that will set me up the best for my career goals.
Then you should retake the LSAT. You have a YSH tier GPA, and the best thing you can do for your career goals is the bring the LSAT up to match. Chicago biglaw is a very unlikely outcome from these schools.

Some work experience will give a small boost to your application, anyway.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:45 am
by androstan
Nammertat wrote:1) Retake.

-but assuming you won't-

2) If IP, go GW. If not IP, go WU

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:56 am
by FSK
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Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 12:08 pm
by Fiero85
WheatThins wrote:Obviously the correct choice it's to retake.

But since you probably won't, the correct choice is not to go.

But since you probably will, the correct choice us whichever is in the area you want to practice.

Both options are much too expensive for you.
This, plus the IP stuff above.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 1:04 pm
by The Dark Shepard
Otunga wrote:You must retake OP. I was offered a full scholarship at WUSTL and still would've been in 60k debt, at minimum, for living expense loans. With 15k per year, you're going to be constrained by a debt mountain, and only 1/4 grads, on average, have a good chance at getting out of the mountain (getting biglaw). If you must go, then WUSTL because of its geography. But really consider that.
I lived in St. Louis and I don't understand this "20k/year to live" nonsense.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 1:39 pm
by bugsy33
If you wanted to practice in Chicago then you should've done UIUC. It'd be cheaper and better than both of these schools for your situation.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:29 pm
by 03152016
Considering you'll still be over $200k in the hole if everything is debt-financed, I think both of these options are too risky. WUSTL is the better option of the two, but neither is advisable.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 10:16 pm
by Fiero85
More like 175k for WUSTL and right at 200k for GW, but yes the point remains: God awful prices and ~25% chance of not being financially crippled. Don't do it, OP.

Retake, try again with Illinois, Notre Dame, WUSTL, Northwestern, and so on to target Chicago.

Re: GWU at 10k/yr or Wash U at 15k/yr?

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 2:35 am
by DoveBodyWash
omggggggggggg dat GPA....please dont' waste it. Retake.