Emory at 60k debt Forum

[mysojuli]

Hello!

I am thinking about attending Emory. My COL will be covered due to my savings. I will have to take out about 60k in loans. I will be able to pay interest on the loans so they will remain at $60,000.

I plan on going into big law, and getting involved in the Emory Ti:ger program (quote from emory site about ti:ger)

partnership between two world-class institutions—Emory and Georgia Institute of Technology—that brings together graduate students in law, business, science, and engineering to work on start-up projects. The goal: transform highly promising research into economically viable products.

(Super cool right!!!)

Is my debt worth it?? 60,000 seems like a lot to me...

[fliptrip]

It's "worth" it, but I don't know if it's advisable if your goal is really big law. You'd be taking less than a coin flip's chance at getting it.

[mysojuli]

It's "worth" it, but I don't know if it's advisable if your goal is really big law. You'd be taking less than a coin flip's chance at getting it.

Would you say even if I don't get big law I can pay off my debt?

[fliptrip]

Yes, you should be able to service the debt as long as you don't end up completely unemployed.

[L’Étranger]

What is your LSAT?

[BigZuck]

Paying 60k out of pocket along with 60k debt for Emory is not worth it IMO

If you want big law you should aim higher. Focus on the T14.

[mysojuli]

Paying 60k out of pocket along with 60k debt for Emory is not worth it IMO
If you want big law you should aim higher. Focus on the T14.

I got a 80k scholarship. My parents are paying 22k out of pocket and my savings covers food/housing...

What is your LSAT?

My LSAT is 154. 3.8 gpa urm

[fliptrip]

Paying 60k out of pocket along with 60k debt for Emory is not worth it IMO
If you want big law you should aim higher. Focus on the T14.

I got a 80k scholarship. My parents are paying 22k out of pocket and my savings covers food/housing...

What is your LSAT?

My LSAT is 154. 3.8 gpa urm

Don't you think you should retake the LSAT so that you can get into a school that matches up better with your goals?

[silenttimer]

I don't link telling people to retake, but you would be opening a whole lot of possibilities (including full ride at Emory) if you can get a 160.

[Tiddlywinks]

You should withdraw all your applications and pick up The Trainer and the Manhatten books and study right now for either June or Oct. Being an AA female with a 3.8... You have the law school admission game in your hands. Getting a 165 isn't too difficult and that will give you a shot at almost any school (but do aim higher). Dont settle.

[treeey86]

If you choose not to retake, going to Emory for $60k is a good option.

These 0Ls posting above are too far deep into TLS forums and have no insight on realities of the world.

$60k for a T25 law degree is a great value. Debt will be manageable and allow you to take a lower paying job if you strike out of Biglaw, so you won't be biglaw or bust and that will help out your early career tremendously. You cannot assume biglaw for Emory since only like 20% get it at graduation (though many more are able to lateral into biglaw within 1-3 years after graduation if they really wanted it).

Full disclosure I'm an Emory grad who came out with something like $50k in debt. Its enough that I notice it, but not enough to be a burden. I would advise you not to waste a 3.8 GPA and see if you can retake and either get more money from Emory or comparable school, or get into a higher ranked school with some money given to you. URM status a a bit more on the LSAT will go a long way.

[greenapples]

-

[BigZuck]

If you choose not to retake, going to Emory for $60k is a good option.

These 0Ls posting above are too far deep into TLS forums and have no insight on realities of the world.

$60k for a T25 law degree is a great value. Debt will be manageable and allow you to take a lower paying job if you strike out of Biglaw, so you won't be biglaw or bust and that will help out your early career tremendously. You cannot assume biglaw for Emory since only like 20% get it at graduation (though many more are able to lateral into biglaw within 1-3 years after graduation if they really wanted it).

Full disclosure I'm an Emory grad who came out with something like $50k in debt. Its enough that I notice it, but not enough to be a burden. I would advise you not to waste a 3.8 GPA and see if you can retake and either get more money from Emory or comparable school, or get into a higher ranked school with some money given to you. URM status a a bit more on the LSAT will go a long way.

It's 60K debt along with parents paying 22K out of pocket and the OP depleting their savings. It's not costing 60K, it's costing like 150K.

T25 is a meaningless distinction

It's very difficult to lateral into big law after 1-3 years of non big law, that possibility should be completely discounted.

I do admire your bravery though, keep fighting the good fight against the hive.

[BigZuck]

It's "worth" it, but I don't know if it's advisable if your goal is really big law. You'd be taking less than a coin flip's chance at getting it.

Would you say even if I don't get big law I can pay off my debt?

I know plenty of people at Emory who landed big law, so if you're not retaking LSAT and reapplying I'd say just do it and shoot for the best!

This is very poor advice, you know plenty more people at Emory who didn't get big law. The big law placement at Emory isn't very good, it's just not a place one should attend with big law goals.

[greenapples]

-

[treeey86]

BigZuck are you a practicing attorney?

From a school like Emory its actually not that hard to lateral into biglaw after 1-3 years if you want to. Biglaw sucks. Its a grind. People get chewed up and churned out yearly. Very few people in the world can tolerate the work let alone enjoy it. You would be surprised at the number of opportunities to lateral into big law after a couple of years. Yeah you probably come in as a first year, and yeah you cant lateral in from shit law, but you can get in with middling grades,a contact or two at the desired firm, and a few years of work experience (midlaw, small law if its on point with the biglaw hiring practice group). All it is just having a competent body willing to give up their life to meet a deadline.

OP - Im not considering the $22k your parents are paying because that's their gift to you not your burden. I don't know what your savings are. But $60k in debt from a T25 school is defensible. If I were in your shoes with a 3.8pga and URM female status I would highly recommend retaking the LSAT to either bump up the scholarship money or get into a better school with scholarship money. If that is not an option then Emory is a defensible pick, but understand biglaw coming out of graduation is not a guarantee and you will have to work hard and hustle

[BigZuck]

BigZuck are you a practicing attorney?

Nope. But how is that relevant?

It's way harder to lateral into big law than you're saying it is duder. You don't just will it, you're likely going to need relevant experience and luck. Of course it happens but it's not a relevant consideration here.

[fliptrip]

BigZuck are you a practicing attorney?

Nope. But how is that relevant?

It's way harder to lateral into big law than you're saying it is duder. You don't just will it, you're likely going to need relevant experience and luck. Of course it happens but it's not a relevant consideration here.

"If you will it, it is no dream."

-Theodor Herzl, via Walter Sobchack

[fliptrip]

BigZuck are you a practicing attorney?

Nope. But how is that relevant?

Come now, Zuck, who you are matters more than the truth of what you're saying on TLS.

[BigZuck]

BigZuck are you a practicing attorney?

Nope. But how is that relevant?

It's way harder to lateral into big law than you're saying it is duder. You don't just will it, you're likely going to need relevant experience and luck. Of course it happens but it's not a relevant consideration here.

"If you will it, it is no dream."

-Theodor Herzl, via Walter Sobchack

Ah yes, good 'ol Dr. Seuss

[BigZuck]

Anyway, in b4 Johann and/or Lax

OP- Emory is a solid school, it's just that it's too expensive and doesn't align well with what you say are your career goals. Mostly it would be a bad idea because you have so much more potential on the LSAT that you need to realize before attending law school.

[L’Étranger]

Paying 60k out of pocket along with 60k debt for Emory is not worth it IMO
If you want big law you should aim higher. Focus on the T14.

I got a 80k scholarship. My parents are paying 22k out of pocket and my savings covers food/housing...

What is your LSAT?

My LSAT is 154. 3.8 gpa urm

Assuming you aren't trolling, you must retake. You are literally THE IDEAL case for a retake.

Bring your score up ten points and you'll get money in the T14.

[16to19]

I love that someone busted this out.

BigZuck are you a practicing attorney?

Nope. But how is that relevant?

It's way harder to lateral into big law than you're saying it is duder. You don't just will it, you're likely going to need relevant experience and luck. Of course it happens but it's not a relevant consideration here.

"If you will it, it is no dream."

-Theodor Herzl, via Walter Sobchack

[Eager Beaver]

Paying 60k out of pocket along with 60k debt for Emory is not worth it IMO
If you want big law you should aim higher. Focus on the T14.

I got a 80k scholarship. My parents are paying 22k out of pocket and my savings covers food/housing...

What is your LSAT?

My LSAT is 154. 3.8 gpa urm

Assuming you aren't trolling, you must retake. You are literally THE IDEAL case for a retake.

Bring your score up ten points and you'll get money in the T14.

This is the only credited response.

[cron1834]

OP, right now your LSAT score is like 1 answer better than the average score. Literally. I think anyone who can get a 3.8 GPA should be capable of getting into the 160s at a minimum with enough study. You could have the exact same degree WITHOUT using your savings and parent's money if you did a little better on the test. Alternatively you could get a national school that will make big law a probability instead of a longshot for the same cost you have Emory at right now. I'm not saying you have to get like a 99th percentile 177 ... literally just get into the 160s, match your GPA so to speak, and you'll have way more opportunities.