Emory vs Wash U Forum

[thtt1632]

Was offered 100% tuition at Wash U, vs 75% at Emory. I went to undergrad in Florida, and I am shooting for BigLaw. Atlanta has a broader legal market however Wash U is slightly higher ranked (whether or not that matters is to be debated). It is my understanding that networking is what matters much more than the school. Does anyone have suggestions as to which to choose?

[KissMyAxe]

If you want Biglaw in Atlanta, then Emory wins cut and dry. The ranking, especially that minimal a difference, does not matter at all. I would argue with your understanding and say the school matters more than networking. When you're in a school that is in a market and is very well-represented in that market, you're naturally going to have better chances. Atlanta is a very insular market, and it's difficult to get there. Emory tends to be one of the best non-T14 schools for that because there are so many associates and partners from Emory that work there. But let's say networking does make a huge difference. Where do you think you'll have more opportunities to network for Atlanta Big Law? St. Louis, 500 miles from Georgia? Or Atlanta itself?

That said, neither of these are national schools, they are both regional and have their own spheres of influence. If you want to work in the Southeast, Emory is going to be better. If you want to work in the midwest, WUSTL is a better option for the same reasons above. However, you need to realize that the odds of Biglaw are not great at either school. Both are basically identical at ~26%. That generally does not bode well for your odds. I subscribe to the belief that you should not attend a school unless you A.) Are okay with the results that will occur if you end up at median and B.) Are happy to graduate from there (since transferring requires very high grades on a curved system with other very smart people). If you do really want Biglaw and will not be happy elsewhere, I highly recommend you retake the LSAT and shoot for the T14 or at least Vanderbilt. With a good LSAT (170+), you can often receive money at the lower T14, which will give you a far greater chance at Biglaw.

[PeanutsNJam]

If you have ties to Atlanta, pick WUSTL. Wustl's BL+FC is 31.4%. Emory's is 29.1%.

Reasons to go to WUSTL:

~$50,000 saved in tuition cost across three years
~$20,000 saved in living cost across three years

Reasons to go to ATL:

Opportunity to get lunch with local lawyers...? While there is some value to this, it's certainly not necessary to get a SA. It's also certainly not worth ~$70k.

You need the same grades from both schools to get biglaw. If you're in the top 20% at wustl, your ATL ties (and good interviewing skills I hope) can get you to atl.

If you have no atl ties, and you are atl or bust, then go to Emory. Or retake and get UVA/Duke, or at least Vandy with a big scholarship.

[BigZuck]

If you want big law then you need to aim higher. Focus on the T14 and maybe Vanderbilt.

[Monochromatic Oeuvre]

If OP has a high enough GPA (3.8+) to potentially retake and score a T14 full ride, might be worth it to try. Otherwise, WUSTL full ride is TCR unless OP has a very strong interest in Atlanta.

[fliptrip]

Or retake and get UVA/Duke, or at least Vandy with a big scholarship.

This is the right move...I'd much rather bet on UVA (moreso) and Duke and free Vandy for Atlanta.

[sublime]

..

[thtt1632]

If you want Biglaw in Atlanta, then Emory wins cut and dry. The ranking, especially that minimal a difference, does not matter at all. I would argue with your understanding and say the school matters more than networking. When you're in a school that is in a market and is very well-represented in that market, you're naturally going to have better chances. Atlanta is a very insular market, and it's difficult to get there. Emory tends to be one of the best non-T14 schools for that because there are so many associates and partners from Emory that work there. But let's say networking does make a huge difference. Where do you think you'll have more opportunities to network for Atlanta Big Law? St. Louis, 500 miles from Georgia? Or Atlanta itself?

That said, neither of these are national schools, they are both regional and have their own spheres of influence. If you want to work in the Southeast, Emory is going to be better. If you want to work in the midwest, WUSTL is a better option for the same reasons above. However, you need to realize that the odds of Biglaw are not great at either school. Both are basically identical at ~26%. That generally does not bode well for your odds. I subscribe to the belief that you should not attend a school unless you A.) Are okay with the results that will occur if you end up at median and B.) Are happy to graduate from there (since transferring requires very high grades on a curved system with other very smart people). If you do really want Biglaw and will not be happy elsewhere, I highly recommend you retake the LSAT and shoot for the T14 or at least Vanderbilt. With a good LSAT (170+), you can often receive money at the lower T14, which will give you a far greater chance at Biglaw.

I am not so concern as to which market I get into so long as I make it to a market. I have been waitlisted at Vandy and Cornell, waiting to hear back from GTown. I assume were I to get in to Vandy or Cornell I would have to pay full price, which I plan on avoiding at all cost.

As far as my stats I am a large splitter, (high LSAT, low GPA). Were I to get the extra 5-10 points for a perfect score would that give me a scholarship at a Vandy or Cornell? Also wouldn't I be risking the opportunity on the table at Wash/Emory by turning down their offers?

From what I understand to get a big firm job opportunity I am going to have to perform top of class no matter where, only difference being a small amount of cushion at a "better" school.

Also I was informed at on my WashU visit that St. Louis firms tend to hire only native St Louis-ites(?) due to flight risk.

[PeanutsNJam]

I'm assuming you're a <3.0 and >170 splitter from your post. For every single person in your position (wants biglaw but doesn't care about the location), your best option is $$ at NU. Your second best option is a full ride at WUSTL. A retake will help you get NU, and/or more scholarship there. You might get a UVA admit but that'll be sticker.

At NU, you need to be above median for a good shot. At WUSTL, you need to be in the top 3rd, maybe top 25% for a good shot. I wouldn't worry about stl ties; if you have the grades at wustl, so long as you can interview and present yourself well, you should be alright. Not that it's likely you, or anybody, will be in the top 25%.

But in no case should you ever take Emory.

[Clearly]

In order to receive the best feedback in this forum, please provide as much of the following information in your original post as possible:

-The schools you are considering
-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each. COA = cost of tuition + fees + books + cost of living (COL) + accumulated interest - scholarships. Here is a helpful calculator.
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)
-Your general career goals
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
-How many times you have taken the LSAT

[KissMyAxe]

Post Deleted

[thtt1632]

In order to receive the best feedback in this forum, please provide as much of the following information in your original post as possible:

-The schools you are considering
-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each. COA = cost of tuition + fees + books + cost of living (COL) + accumulated interest - scholarships. Here is a helpful calculator.
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)
-Your general career goals
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
-How many times you have taken the LSAT

More information

1.Schools I am considering
Emory 75%
WUSTL 100%
Cornell WL
Vanderbilt WL
GW Sticker
UF 75%

2.COL
I've calculated about 22k per year to move to stl, I believe it to be about 15k more for tuition in ATL (37k). I'm from Florida so UF would be the cheapest option after everything.

3. I will be financing through work, loans, and parent support. Expecting my parents to contribute rent each year.

4. I'm from Florida. AA. I would like to work in a major city. South Florida would be good, Atlanta, I have a lot of friends in DC( one currently in BL) however Im saying these cities bc they are what I know. I'm open to new places, NY, etc.

5. Career goals. I'd like to work in BigLaw for the first half of my career then eventually open up my own practice. I am open to moving bc the south is not where I want to live my whole life.

6. LSAT
As guessed sub 3.0, >167 LSAT,
I've taken the LSAT twice

[PeanutsNJam]

You should've gotten NU easily with URM status. I'd retake, but getting biglaw from anywhere as an AA is gonna be easier than it is for most people so that's worth considering.

Given the current lineup, with a "biglaw anywhere" goal, wustl is tcr. Work on interviewing skills because that will be clutch.

Actual best option is retake. Since you're AA you can get Penn/UVA with a 170 and large money at lower T14. Your app might also be weak since you should've gotten into vandy and Cornell.

[cron1834]

Retake, apply broadly.