Need help deciding - Dickinson vs Debt Forum

[jas230314]

Okay so I am pretty certain of what I'll do but I need to run this by you all to be sure I'm not overlooking anything.

My numbers are:

GPA: 3.01
LSAT: 165 (3rd take)
I've applied to a ton of school, including:

BU, BC, GW, Alabama, Dickinson, W&L, Emory, Temple, and Villanova.

I am from PA and I think practicing here makes the most sense. Of course biglaw is appealing but I realize really only be set on biglaw because I'd have to do it to pay off loans. Otherwise I'm most interested in government work or the DAs office locally.

So I am looking at 140K + total in loans (including COL) to go to BC/BU/GW/Emory.

I'm looking at 80K or so in loans for Alabama or W&L.

Applied to Temple and Villanova but haven't heard back from either.

And here's the real question:

I got a full ride to Dickinson with a 30K stipend. Only stip for both is remaining in good academic standing.

So I am thinking of taking the offer from Dickinson and graduating with 20k or 30k in loans, maximum. Maybe less than that. I understand Dickinson places in PA, which I am happy with.

Am I missing anything? Only 1.9% of last years class received anything more than full tuition at Dickinson so I'm thinking this is an opportunity worth snagging. Any input is appreciated.

[UVA2B]

Okay so I am pretty certain of what I'll do but I need to run this by you all to be sure I'm not overlooking anything.

My numbers are:

GPA: 3.01
LSAT: 165 (3rd take)
I've applied to a ton of school, including:

BU, BC, GW, Alabama, Dickinson, W&L, Emory, Temple, and Villanova.

I am from PA and I think practicing here makes the most sense. Of course biglaw is appealing but I realize really only be set on biglaw because I'd have to do it to pay off loans. Otherwise I'm most interested in government work or the DAs office locally.

So I am looking at 140K + total in loans (including COL) to go to BC/BU/GW/Emory.

I'm looking at 80K or so in loans for Alabama or W&L.

Applied to Temple and Villanova but haven't heard back from either.

And here's the real question:

I got a full ride to Dickinson with a 30K stipend. Only stip for both is remaining in good academic standing.

So I am thinking of taking the offer from Dickinson and graduating with 20k or 30k in loans, maximum. Maybe less than that. I understand Dickinson places in PA, which I am happy with.

Am I missing anything? Only 1.9% of last years class received anything more than full tuition at Dickinson so I'm thinking this is an opportunity worth snagging. Any input is appreciated.

Your goals and cost align pretty nicely. Dickinson for free when wanting to do DA in PA is a solid choice.

[cavalier1138]

Yeah, Dickinson is the right choice. If your only reason for considering biglaw was debt repayment, then you just can't be in a significant amount of debt from any of these schools. And since you want to stay in PA, Dickinson will be the way to go here.

[Ronan]

Dickinson here is a good option if you are set on working in the Central PA area and want to prosecute. It doesn't place as well in Pittsburgh or Philly as the local schools do, but I know it's not impossible to gain employment in those cities.

What part of PA are you looking to work in? Only reason I'm asking because I'm curious to see how Temple or Nova treat you.

[jas230314]

Dickinson here is a good option if you are set on working in the Central PA area and want to prosecute. It doesn't place as well in Pittsburgh or Philly as the local schools do, but I know it's not impossible to gain employment in those cities.

What part of PA are you looking to work in? Only reason I'm asking because I'm curious to see how Temple or Nova treat you.

I'm relatively agnostic regarding which part of PA. I'm from Bucks county, so ideally I'd like to work anywhere in Southeastern PA or Harrisburg, and I'm open to working in Philly or Pittsburgh if the opportunity should present itself.

As for Temple or Villanova, I'm not sure I'll be able to justify inner city living expenses (Temple) even with a scholarship. Villanova has deeper pockets, but the COL will still be at least twice that, and maybe more, of Dickinson.

[20170322]

As someone who thinks law school is a huge fucking scam, it seems like you have a good option for your goals. Go for it!

[Thomas Hagan, ESQ.]

Okay so I am pretty certain of what I'll do but I need to run this by you all to be sure I'm not overlooking anything.

My numbers are:

GPA: 3.01
LSAT: 165 (3rd take)
I've applied to a ton of school, including:

BU, BC, GW, Alabama, Dickinson, W&L, Emory, Temple, and Villanova.

I am from PA and I think practicing here makes the most sense. Of course biglaw is appealing but I realize really only be set on biglaw because I'd have to do it to pay off loans. Otherwise I'm most interested in government work or the DAs office locally.

So I am looking at 140K + total in loans (including COL) to go to BC/BU/GW/Emory.

I'm looking at 80K or so in loans for Alabama or W&L.

Applied to Temple and Villanova but haven't heard back from either.

And here's the real question:

I got a full ride to Dickinson with a 30K stipend. Only stip for both is remaining in good academic standing.

So I am thinking of taking the offer from Dickinson and graduating with 20k or 30k in loans, maximum. Maybe less than that. I understand Dickinson places in PA, which I am happy with.

Am I missing anything? Only 1.9% of last years class received anything more than full tuition at Dickinson so I'm thinking this is an opportunity worth snagging. Any input is appreciated.

Wow, I'm actually surprised you got into Emory, BU and GW with your GPA (no offense) but it seems like you have a great option in Dickinson that lets you pursue what you want to do. Congrats and good luck!

[jas230314]

As someone who thinks law school is a huge fucking scam, it seems like you have a good option for your goals. Go for it!

haha! I think I tend to agree with you in most cases. Thanks for your input!

[jas230314]

Wow, I'm actually surprised you got into Emory, BU and GW with your GPA (no offense) but it seems like you have a great option in Dickinson that lets you pursue what you want to do. Congrats and good luck!

Yeah my GPA is something I'm not proud of - death of a sibling really derailed me late in my undergrad years. I think some relatively strong work experience may have helped in them overlooking the GPA.

I was especially pleased to get a scholarship to GW for 90k/55% but that's still such a huge financial burden for me. Especially to bet my ability to pay back those loans on a ~30% chance of biglaw seems shortsighted.

I figure having tuition/rent/books all paid for at a lower ranked school will allow me to focus on my studies without any crazy financial stress. Thanks for your input!!

[Ronan]

Dickinson here is a good option if you are set on working in the Central PA area and want to prosecute. It doesn't place as well in Pittsburgh or Philly as the local schools do, but I know it's not impossible to gain employment in those cities.

What part of PA are you looking to work in? Only reason I'm asking because I'm curious to see how Temple or Nova treat you.

I'm relatively agnostic regarding which part of PA. I'm from Bucks county, so ideally I'd like to work anywhere in Southeastern PA or Harrisburg, and I'm open to working in Philly or Pittsburgh if the opportunity should present itself.

As for Temple or Villanova, I'm not sure I'll be able to justify inner city living expenses (Temple) even with a scholarship. Villanova has deeper pockets, but the COL will still be at least twice that, and maybe more, of Dickinson.

Yep you're right. The stipend and your goals really makes it a no-brained then. Go to Dickinson. I was in a similar situation when I was choosing a school. Went with the cheapest option over higher ranked schools. I don't regret it for a second. I'm a PA guy and wanted to stay in state. You can pm me if you would like, but I think Dickinson is a great opportunity here. Congrats!

[Mullens]

Dickinson here is a good option, given your goals. Congrats.