Notre Dame vs. GW Forum

[ChristianR]

Hi all, first post on TLS.

My final two schools are down to ND and GW, and the decision has been killing me lately as they both have such significant positives and negatives. Here's what each will cost with tuition and housing.

ND: $70-75,000 (and that's assuming I extern in Chicago or DC, which I need to).
GW: $140-150,000

Now I know, I know, everyone on here is going to say ND. And to some extent I'm tempted by ND's price because I'm near 100% sure I want to work in public interest, starting salary probably in the 60s, work up to 70s and 80s as you go, that kind of thing. But I would also really, really like to end up working in the DC market because there's so many opportunities for what I want to do (environmental law, have an undergrad degree in env. science). To the point where if I went to ND, I'd spend my time trying to find jobs / externs in DC. Over a 5 year period (admittedly during bad market times), 2010-2014, 21 ND grads total - so like 4/5 per class of 180 - went to DC to do public interest. When you look at it that way, knowing what I want to do, ND is risky in it's own right.

Note: I'm from the Midwest (Ohio) and I'm fairly sure I don't want to work here. Don't want to do firms, for the most part. Very limiting I know.

By the way, my parents have (very generously) agreed to give me interest-free loans, which I am flexible to pay back as it relates to amount and years. Maximum flexibility, which is frankly the only thing that makes GW slightly less frightening given my commitment to public interest.

Sorry if that was long, and I am VERY grateful for all feedback. Thank you! -Christian

[TirantMartorell]

Hi all, first post on TLS.

My final two schools are down to ND and GW, and the decision has been killing me lately as they both have such significant positives and negatives. Here's what each will cost with tuition and housing.

ND: $70-75,000 (and that's assuming I extern in Chicago or DC, which I need to).
GW: $140-150,000

Now I know, I know, everyone on here is going to say ND. And to some extent I'm tempted by ND's price because I'm near 100% sure I want to work in public interest, starting salary probably in the 60s, work up to 70s and 80s as you go, that kind of thing. But I would also really, really like to end up working in the DC market because there's so many opportunities for what I want to do (environmental law, have an undergrad degree in env. science). To the point where if I went to ND, I'd spend my time trying to find jobs / externs in DC. Over a 5 year period (admittedly during bad market times), 2010-2014, 21 ND grads total - so like 4/5 per class of 180 - went to DC to do public interest. When you look at it that way, knowing what I want to do, ND is risky in it's own right.

Note: I'm from the Midwest (Ohio) and I'm fairly sure I don't want to work here. Don't want to do firms, for the most part. Very limiting I know.

By the way, my parents have (very generously) agreed to give me interest-free loans, which I am flexible to pay back as it relates to amount and years. Maximum flexibility, which is frankly the only thing that makes GW slightly less frightening given my commitment to public interest.

Sorry if that was long, and I am VERY grateful for all feedback. Thank you! -Christian

Few people in any given year at ND want to go to DC to do public interest specifically so you won't really find any relevant statistics for your chances. I don't know about GW's LRAP for people who go into PI, but it seems that ND's LRAP is pretty good. What I know for sure is that $150K in debt for GW with an interest in Public Interest just isn't wise. If these are your best options, I'd take ND, do the semester in DC program + both summers in DC.

[elimanning]

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[ChristianR]

Hey Christian, having just made a similar decision between both of these schools, I figure I am pretty qualified to answer your question. I plan on working in DC post-graduation, and recently visited both schools. GW places a huge number of their graduating class in DC, slightly less than 50%. The school's location alone is a HUGE advantage in terms of internships, externships, and networking. Do not disregard the importance of being able to network for the 3 years that you are in school, in the city you ultimately want to work in. GW presents an amazing opportunity for this, while ND does not. Also, DC has a massive GW alumni network who look out for their own. The students and alumni whom I spoke with during my visit to GW placed great emphasis on the abundant opportunities to work public interest and/or government in DC, both during 1L/2L/3L semesters/summers and post-graduation; if you want it and work for it, you will get it as student at GW. ND, while a great school, places a very small percentage of its class in DC. Students I talked with on my visit there said DC is an extremely hard market for them to crack, both for government and PI. While ND does offer the program in DC, it does not come close to the opportunities you will have at GW living in DC and developing a strong network there throughout your 3 years. I would be very wary of attending ND with your specific goals in mind, even with the difference in cost. If DC is your end goal, I would not attend ND under any circumstances; GW is hands down the better choice. Also, because of your situation with interest free loans and your parent's help, I think the extra debt is absolutely worth the significantly greater chance you will have to work in the field that you want, in the city that you want.

FYI, I ultimately chose GW over ND for the reasoning above. Good luck with your decision, and if you have any other questions feel free to PM me!

Thanks for your feedback, and that's the way I'm leaning right now - choosing GW and trusting myself to work it out financially over time. I visit ND next week though, so we'll see how that goes as well. But I've been to the campus many times before, so it's not like I really have a lot to learn at this point.