Schools you are considering
WUSTL, BU, or sitting out a cycle and a retake
-The total Cost of Attendance (COA) of each
Tuition and COL numbers both assume appropriate annual increases.
WUSTL COA 107,650 (45k a year scholarship. This number is remaining tuition & fees + COL - guaranteed summer PI funding)
BU COA 62,584 (Full-tuition PI scholarship. This number is fees + COL - guaranteed summer PI funding)
-How you will be financing your COA, i.e. loans, family, or savings
44k saved up in retirement accounts, loans after that. COA numbers above are prior to using any savings, so BU is just about 12k in loans if I spend down all of my savings.
-Where you are from and where you want to work, and other places where you have significant ties (if any)
I’d like to be in NYC, where my significant other is in medical school. I went to high school outside of St. Louis and undergrad in Missouri. I’ve lived in NYC since college graduation.
-Your general career goals
PI. Spent 2+ years working after undergrad to make sure I’m 100% dedicated to PI. I’d absolutely take a federal clerkship if I had the grades to get one but I would be okay if a clerkship didn’t happen and am not counting on it.
Dream scenario is fed clerkship, ~5 years as a NYC public defender, then either a federal defender’s office or impact litigation job (ACLU would be great, I’m okay with a lesser known org. I understand it’s tough to break into the ACLU from a non t14 school.)
-Your LSAT/GPA numbers
166/3.75
-How many times you have taken the LSAT
twice
Would welcome advice! I know NYU does much better in the NYC PI market. Does my GPA preclude a scholarship amount from NYU next cycle after a retake that would make it feasible for PI?
I am also interested in thoughts on what to do with my savings. Should I spend it down or leave it alone? Does taking loans for the full COA at WUSTL and then relying on LRAP/PSLF make more sense then exhausting the savings?
BU vs WUSTL vs retake (PI) Forum
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Fiero85
- Posts: 1983
- Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 3:38 am
Re: BU vs WUSTL vs retake (PI)
Retake definitely couldn't hurt. I'd do that for sure myself. NYU or peers would be much better for your goals.
Side note, however: I think your WUSTL COA might be a bit high. With about a 90% scholly and the summer stipend, I can't imagine you spending more than 25k/year on COL and remaining tuition (so ~75k tops). COL is only 14-17k for most people, depending on having a car or not and lifestyle standards.
Side note, however: I think your WUSTL COA might be a bit high. With about a 90% scholly and the summer stipend, I can't imagine you spending more than 25k/year on COL and remaining tuition (so ~75k tops). COL is only 14-17k for most people, depending on having a car or not and lifestyle standards.
