WUSTL v Vandy Forum

[rahulg91]

.

[ymmv]

STATS: 168, 3.4 (LSAT taken 3 times)

OPTIONS:
WUSTL (35k/year) - COA = 85k
Vanderbilt (20k/year) - COA = 130k

FUNDING:
Merit-Based Aid
Loans
Parental Assistance (~20k)

GOALS:
Big Law (no preference on location)

Is that COA your final cost or pre-parental assistance? Because I would be relatively comfortable taking WUSTL for $65k total COA, though I wouldn't pay $110k for Vandy.

[03152016]

these numbers don't look right

eta can you clarify if that is total cost or total debt

[rahulg91]

STATS: 168, 3.4 (LSAT taken 3 times)

OPTIONS:
WUSTL (35k/year) - COA = 85k
Vanderbilt (20k/year) - COA = 130k

FUNDING:
Merit-Based Aid
Loans
Parental Assistance (~20k)

GOALS:
Big Law (no preference on location)

Is that COA your final cost or pre-parental assistance? Because I would be relatively comfortable taking WUSTL for $65k total COA, though I wouldn't pay $110k for Vandy.

This is my final cost (post-parental assistance).

[rahulg91]

these numbers don't look right

eta can you clarify if that is total cost or total debt

Total cost of attendance not debt (haven't calculated interest on loans), but I'll be taking out 85k in loans for WUSTL and 130k in loans for Vanderbilt. I'm honestly torn, because Vanderbilt does place slightly better in terms of Big Law, but IDK if it's worth the 45k...

[03152016]

after loan fees and interest and deferment you're edging towards $150,000 with vandy
that's high man, if you strike out that's going to hurt

[ymmv]

these numbers don't look right

eta can you clarify if that is total cost or total debt

Total cost of attendance not debt (haven't calculated interest on loans), but I'll be taking out 85k in loans for WUSTL and 130k in loans for Vanderbilt. I'm honestly torn, because Vanderbilt does place slightly better in terms of Big Law, but IDK if it's worth the 45k...

I don't think either of those price tags are worth it. I would sit out this cycle and reapply.

Since you don't care about market and want biglaw, can I ask what other schools you got into? For instance, I would more easily be able to justify taking $150k debt for Cornell or NU than $130k for Vandy.

[rahulg91]

these numbers don't look right

eta can you clarify if that is total cost or total debt

Total cost of attendance not debt (haven't calculated interest on loans), but I'll be taking out 85k in loans for WUSTL and 130k in loans for Vanderbilt. I'm honestly torn, because Vanderbilt does place slightly better in terms of Big Law, but IDK if it's worth the 45k...

I don't think either of those price tags are worth it. I would sit out this cycle and reapply.

Since you don't care about market and want biglaw, can I ask what other schools you got into? For instance, I would more easily be able to justify taking $150k debt for Cornell or NU than $130k for Vandy.

Struck out at T14 (WL'd for Michigan, NU, Cornell, GULC). I'm considering sitting out and reapplying but tbh I don't see an advantage since I applied pretty early (mid November). I'm either going to be going to one of these schools or a T14 off WL at sticker (which may be worse than the options I have).

[John Everyman]

That WUSTL offer is on the low end for your numbers, how many times have you tried to negotiate?

[03152016]

idk they both seem risky
healthy chance at striking out at either
if i were in your shoes and had to pick between the two i'd do wustl bc i'd be terrified of 150k at a school where 55% of students don't get bl+fc
but honestly it'd prob be better to try again, these aren't great options

[03152016]

That WUSTL offer is on the low end for your numbers, how many times have you tried to negotiate?

yeah op keep pushing even after your 'final offer'
i had 0 initial offer, negotiated, 0 after appeal (final offer), then after multiple additional emails and in person visits got a half ride

[Fiero85]

I agree that these are both on the very high end of what I would be comfortable borrowing at these schools.

If you are set on this cycle:

Very similar relative offers this cycle here (Vandy ~45k more in total tuition over 3 years). Gotta go with "personal preference/priorities" as my 0L rec for you.

Biglaw (101+ attorneys) plus FedClerk hiring numbers:

Vanderbilt: 35.9 + 9.2 = 45.1%
WUSTL: 29 + 3.3 = 32.3%

WUSTL places about 1/3 of its class into your desired outcome, Vandy places about 45%.

With similar goals to you, my personal decision was that Vandy was wasn't worth ~60k* more in COA.

*BUT I'm a STL native targeting the STL area, so WUSTL will be cheaper for me than the 45k in scholarship difference would imply, and preferred for other professional and personal reasons.

Decide if the 10-15% placement difference is worth 45k to you, nobody can say definitively for you.

[Fiero85]

I would more easily be able to justify taking $150k debt for Cornell or NU than $130k for Vandy.

I agree with this...and "Big Law (no preference on location)" screams T14...

But the OP has already retaken twice and isn't looking at Cornell or NU for 150k in reality. Sticker is way more, and IMO, too much more to justify.

[rad lulz]

Unless you have extensive ties to some Midwestern town that had biglaw (in which case go to wustl) you should retake for t14 if you're srs ab your goal

[ymmv]

I would more easily be able to justify taking $150k debt for Cornell or NU than $130k for Vandy.

I agree with this...and "Big Law (no preference on location)" screams T14...

But the OP has already retaken twice and isn't looking at Cornell or NU for 150k in reality. Sticker is way more, and IMO, too much more to justify.

That's why I think s/he should either sit out and reapply next cycle or decide on a different career path.

[MistakenGenius]

Post removed.

[Fiero85]

I would more easily be able to justify taking $150k debt for Cornell or NU than $130k for Vandy.

I agree with this...and "Big Law (no preference on location)" screams T14...

But the OP has already retaken twice and isn't looking at Cornell or NU for 150k in reality. Sticker is way more, and IMO, too much more to justify.

That's why I think s/he should either sit out and reapply next cycle or decide on a different career path.

Fair enough

[WheatThins]

Is a 10-15% increase in landing biglaw worth $45k for you? I think so, but that's just me. Surprised there is no Cornell, GULC or Michigan for you.

[rahulg91]

I agree that these are both on the very high end of what I would be comfortable borrowing at these schools.

If you are set on this cycle:

Very similar relative offers this cycle here (Vandy ~45k more in total tuition over 3 years). Gotta go with "personal preference/priorities" as my 0L rec for you.

Biglaw (101+ attorneys) plus FedClerk hiring numbers:

Vanderbilt: 35.9 + 9.2 = 45.1%
WUSTL: 29 + 3.3 = 32.3%

WUSTL places about 1/3 of its class into your desired outcome, Vandy places about 45%.

With similar goals to you, my personal decision was that Vandy was wasn't worth ~60k* more in COA.

*BUT I'm a STL native targeting the STL area, so WUSTL will be cheaper for me than the 45k in scholarship difference would imply, and preferred for other professional and personal reasons.

Decide if the 10-15% placement difference is worth 45k to you, nobody can say definitively for you.

This was a very helpful post. Thanks a ton!

[yadiermolina]

I'd say retake and reapply. These aren't awful options, but they're not very good ones. Get a new LSAT, work, work on your app, and pray apications keep dropping.

[Informative]

If your goal is really BigLaw, Vandy places significantly better than WUSTL in biglaw.

31.55% vs. 18.33%

http://www.nationallawjournal.com/id=12 ... 0602074823

[jdmonkey]

Keep negotiating with with both and deposit at both. Those numbers should get you more money, especially as both schools will lose people that get off waitlists at T14's.

[rahulg91]

If your goal is really BigLaw, Vandy places significantly better than WUSTL in biglaw.

31.55% vs. 18.33%

http://www.nationallawjournal.com/id=12 ... 0602074823

This is kind of a noob question but how is the NLJ250 different from the generic BL+FC numbers that are put up on LST? What firms are in the NLJ250?

[Crowing]

That WUSTL offer is on the low end for your numbers, how many times have you tried to negotiate?

Damn really. Two years ago those numbers would get you like 60k total at WUSTL

[John Everyman]

That WUSTL offer is on the low end for your numbers, how many times have you tried to negotiate?

Damn really. Two years ago those numbers would get you like 60k total at WUSTL

Seen people with slightly lower gpa's and slightly lower LSAT's getting 35-40/yr - more than a few.