Top Law Schools

Scholarship: WUSTL (120k) and BU (96k); Total COA will be about 50k cheaper at WUSTL, according to LST.

I don't care where I end up immediately after graduation. If I could choose, though, it's NYC>Chicago>Miami (family)>Boston

I already moved to Boston from FL, so, is another move and some craziness for the next week or so (WUSTL's orientation is next week already) worth the move to STL?

If you want Chicago more than Boston, and WUSTL is cheaper, I would do WUSTL.

I can't imagine BU will take you far beyond Boston, which you don't seem enthusiastic about.

If location isn't a big deal to you, I'd probably go with wustl. What are your stats if you don't mind me asking?

dasani13 wrote:Scholarship: WUSTL (120k) and BU (96k); Total COA will be about 50k cheaper at WUSTL, according to LST.

I don't care where I end up immediately after graduation. If I could choose, though, it's NYC>Chicago>Miami (family)>Boston

I already moved to Boston from FL, so, is another move and some craziness for the next week or so (WUSTL's orientation is next week already) worth the move to STL?

hard to find any reason why boston would be a better choice here. wustl for sure

metroidbum wrote:If you want Chicago more than Boston, and WUSTL is cheaper, I would do WUSTL.

I can't imagine BU will take you far beyond Boston, which you don't seem enthusiastic about.

Yeah, it's actually like NYC>Chicago>Miami (family)>CA>Boston>everything else.

WUSTL is the easy choice. Not sure why there is even a single vote for BU when he doesn't want to work in Boston?

Zero99 wrote:WUSTL is the easy choice. Not sure why there is even a single vote for BU when he doesn't want to work in Boston?

BU has decent placement in NYC. But it's tough comparing WUSTL's 10% placement in NYC with BU's percentage because of self-selection.

What are your goals?

Probably neither

dasani13 wrote:

Zero99 wrote:WUSTL is the easy choice. Not sure why there is even a single vote for BU when he doesn't want to work in Boston?

BU has decent placement in NYC. But it's tough comparing WUSTL's 10% placement in NYC with BU's percentage because of self-selection.

You shouldn't go to BU if you don't want to work in Boston. It is a bad decision to go there with the hope of getting to NY.

OP probably doesn't have a shot at NY from WUSTL anyway, but at least he will save 50k. OP also doesn't really care where he ends up, but it seems like he doesn't want to be in Boston. WUSTL is the only choice here.

Zero99 wrote:WUSTL is the easy choice. Not sure why there is even a single vote for BU when he doesn't want to work in Boston?

WUSTL isn't a good option for Chicago unless you have ties to the city. BU is almost certainly a better option than WUSTL for NYC. BC tends to be more highly-regarded within Boston while BU has more pull outside Boston.

The $50k difference is significant but if you're aiming for NYC biglaw and are unwilling/unable to retake, BU probably gives you a better shot. OTOH transferring from WUSTL to the lower T14, which would obviously open up NYC doors, has been super easy in recent years. But that'd be a lot of extra debt to take on. It's a tough call. If I was in your shoes and had already set up shop in Boston and wanted NYC above all else, I'd probably just stay.

Sideshow Raheem wrote:

Zero99 wrote:OTOH transferring from WUSTL to the lower T14, which would obviously open up NYC doors, has been super easy in recent years.

First of all, this shouldn't ever be a factor in OP's decision. Second of all, it's terrble advice because it's not true. Transferring into the T14 is not "super easy." The transfer market is much more competitive than it was in years past. Want proof? Go into the transfer boards and look through the T14 threads to see all of the people that got dinged with great stats from competitive schools. If OP lands anywhere near median, she's stuck. Anyone that wants to go to a T14 should retake, one test is much easier to do well on than seven.

trey ohh five wrote:

Sideshow Raheem wrote:

Zero99 wrote:OTOH transferring from WUSTL to the lower T14, which would obviously open up NYC doors, has been super easy in recent years.

First of all, this shouldn't ever be a factor in OP's decision. Second of all, it's terrble advice because it's not true. Transferring into the T14 is not "super easy." The transfer market is much more competitive than it was in years past. Want proof? Go into the transfer boards and look through the T14 threads to see all of the people that got dinged with great stats from competitive schools. If OP lands anywhere near median, she's stuck. Anyone that wants to go to a T14 should retake, one test is much easier to do well on than seven.

Going to *a school* with the intention of transferring into the T14 is definitely a bad idea. Going to WUSTL specifically with the intention of transferring into the T14 doesn't seem like a terrible plan. Over the past two years people at and below median at WUSTL have transferred to Michigan and Northwestern. Granted their employment prospects probably didn't improve much given their 1L grades but the transfer calculus definitely appears to be different at WUSTL compared to an average school or even an average T1 school. That said, I just mentioned it in passing as a possible pro of switching to WUSTL. BU is probably the right choice given OP's goals. Retaking is certainly an even right-er choice.

1) Retake --> Northwestern or Cornell for Chi/NY goals

2) Failing that, retake --> more money from WUSTL or peers

3) If refusing to retake...WUSTL.

I agree transferring up to NU, Cornell, etc. (ideally CCN schools) might be a smart move. Above poster is correct that NU transfer isn't particularly grade sensitive. Easier to retake and go to NU or Cornell in the first place though.

Fiero85 wrote:1) Retake --> Northwestern or Cornell for Chi/NY goals

2) Failing that, retake --> more money from WUSTL or peers

3) If refusing to retake...WUSTL.

Agree with this.

Fiero85 wrote:1) Retake --> Northwestern or Cornell for Chi/NY goals

2) Failing that, retake --> more money from WUSTL or peers

3) If refusing to retake...WUSTL.

I agree transferring up to NU, Cornell, etc. (ideally CCN schools) might be a smart move. Above poster is correct that NU transfer isn't particularly grade sensitive. Easier to retake and go to NU or Cornell in the first place though.

I would definitely retake if I could, but it's not an option unfortunately.

dasani13 wrote:

Fiero85 wrote:1) Retake --> Northwestern or Cornell for Chi/NY goals

2) Failing that, retake --> more money from WUSTL or peers

3) If refusing to retake...WUSTL.

I agree transferring up to NU, Cornell, etc. (ideally CCN schools) might be a smart move. Above poster is correct that NU transfer isn't particularly grade sensitive. Easier to retake and go to NU or Cornell in the first place though.

I would definitely retake if I could, but it's not an option unfortunately.

I'd take WUSTL, then.

dasani13 wrote:

Fiero85 wrote:1) Retake --> Northwestern or Cornell for Chi/NY goals

2) Failing that, retake --> more money from WUSTL or peers

3) If refusing to retake...WUSTL.

I agree transferring up to NU, Cornell, etc. (ideally CCN schools) might be a smart move. Above poster is correct that NU transfer isn't particularly grade sensitive. Easier to retake and go to NU or Cornell in the first place though.

I would definitely retake if I could, but it's not an option unfortunately.

Retaking is always an option.