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Hey all, I unexpectedly just got off Vandy's waitlist with a small scholly. I've deposited at Emory and have a great scholarship there, but I'm second-guessing myself now. So:

-The schools you are considering

Emory, Vanderbilt

-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each.

Emory: $40-45k debt at graduation

Vandy: ~$127k debt at graduation

-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings

Loans, family (will be contributing $15k/yr), and personal savings.

-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)

From Washington DC. I'd like to work anywhere in the south, DC included.

-Your general career goals

Prefer public interest but would be fine with working at a firm for a few years to pay off debt

-Your LSAT/GPA numbers

166/3.6

-How many times you have taken the LSAT

Once (retaking not an option)


I realize if I'm likely going to do public interest it makes way more sense to take the cheaper option, but I'm going crazy second guessing myself. My parents have said they might be able to contribute more money, but I realize that's a gamble.

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loan ... ic-service
You should learn about PSLF and why debt-minimization is not necessarily the goal if you want public interest.

Vandy 3L here (working in DC). Not enough info to really give you a suggestion, but if you have any specific questions, I'm happy to answer them here or via PM.

Thanks -- I don't know why but I completely forgot about loan forgiveness.

I doubt PI shops will favor a vandy grad that much more than an emory grad, all else equal. So I don't see why bother going into big debt for vandy. Plus, while loan forgiveness is a real thing, I've seen it reiterated numerous times on here that debt minimization should be a priority for people going into PI.

Clemenceau wrote:I doubt PI shops will favor a vandy grad that much more than an emory grad, all else equal. So I don't see why bother going into big debt for vandy. Plus, while loan forgiveness is a real thing, I've seen it reiterated numerous times on here that debt minimization should be a priority for people going into PI.

Considering OP wants the south, I'd say Vandy has an edge on Emory, even for PI. That's not to say Vandy is the right choice here - that's a significant cost difference. OP did you ask for need aid from Vandy? Sometimes they'll throw you a bit even if you come from a wealthy family.

re: strength in the south, I would say if you want Atlanta, Emory is the clear winner in this situation. They do as well or better than we do in ATL, at least with firms. I doubt PI is any different.

If you want the south other than ATL, maybe there's an argument that Vandy is stronger. Dunno about $80k stronger, though.

Ask Emory for more money based on your Vanderbilt acceptance.

CanadianWolf wrote:Ask Emory for more money based on your Vanderbilt acceptance.

Unfortunately they don't negotiate.

Personally, I'd pick vandy. Emory is probably the better choice to others. Retake is tcr.

I asked about need-based aid and no dice. I did crunch the numbers a bit and think I can get the debt down to $100k. Is that reasonable for Vandy?

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M_n_M wrote:While normally I'd say Vandy over Emory in almost every scenario, I think it is worth it to pick Emory in your situation. It'd be different if we were talking a T-14 school v. Emory, but Vandy doesn't provide enough additional value to overcome the cost-savings at Emory.

+1. Pick Emory or retake and try to get into a t14. I think Vandy is better than Emory, but not $50k+ better

i admit that i don't really understand PSLF.
did that obama proposal to cap it to like $65k go through? I bet it didnt but no clue.
And also, does it have the same tax bomb as PAYE?

If the tax bomb isn't severe and there's no cap, I implore you to just decide which city you prefer.

edit: there's no tax bomb with PSLF. tax code 108(f)

boom.