Update: WUSTL ($$$$) vs. Duke ($) Forum

[breyersringtone]

Hi TLS!

I'm a long-time lurker, first-time poster, and I'm currently deciding between WUSTL and Texas.

WUSTL: Full tuition, COA would just be living expenses
Texas: Nonresident Tuition Exemption + $, COA (by the school's estimate of $56,161/year) would be $130,000+

I already tried scholarship renegotiation with Texas, and the increase was pretty minimal. All financing would be through loans.

I'm a splitter (3.2x/173) and pretty committed to PI. I also hold the dubious honor of being on 14 waitlists, 10 of which are T-14s. I'm leaning toward WUSTL because in addition to the much lighter debt load, I have family less than 4 hours away. That said, I want to check I'm not overlooking factors that would make Texas worth the debt.

[SmokeytheBear]

Hi TLS!

I'm a long-time lurker, first-time poster, and I'm currently deciding between WUSTL and Texas.

WUSTL: Full tuition, COA would just be living expenses
Texas: Nonresident Tuition Exemption + $, COA (by the school's estimate of $56,161/year) would be $130,000+

I already tried scholarship renegotiation with Texas, and the increase was pretty minimal. All financing would be through loans.

I'm a splitter (3.2x/173) and pretty committed to PI. I also hold the dubious honor of being on 14 waitlists, 10 of which are T-14s. I'm leaning toward WUSTL because in addition to the much lighter debt load, I have family less than 4 hours away. That said, I want to check I'm not overlooking factors that would make Texas worth the debt.

What is UTs loan repayment assistance program like for those who do PI?

[RParadela]

WUSTL and it isn't even close

[Greenteachurro]

Take WUSTL and run. No way Texas is worth that much more than WUSTL

[Rigo]

WUSTL for sure.

[favabeansoup]

Went to UT. You should go to WUSTL and it is quite literally not even a close call.

Do you want to work in Texas, you didn't even seem to indicate that.

[Reid-Bailey]

If you truly want to work in PI, then pick WUSTL.

If you want to SAY that you want to work in PI but graduate with a crushing debt-load and working corporate somewhere...pick Texas.

[Rigo]

If you want to SAY that you want to work in PI but graduate with a crushing debt-load and working corporate somewhere...pick Texas.

Eh even then I wouldn't gamble on UT.

[breyersringtone]

Thanks all! I figured it was WUSTL hands down, but wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something. You've made this a very easy choice, which is great because these waitlists are giving me an ulcer.

[breyersringtone]

Update: Duke accepted me off their waitlist and are offering me just over $100k. My understanding is they have a good LRAP, but I also know LRAP/PSLF isn't a sure thing.

WUSTL: Full tuition, COA would be ~70k
Duke: +100k, COA would be ~150k

[cavalier1138]

Update: Duke accepted me off their waitlist and are offering me just over $100k. My understanding is they have a good LRAP, but I also know LRAP/PSLF isn't a sure thing.

WUSTL: Full tuition, COA would be ~70k
Duke: +100k, COA would be ~150k

Ok, now the type of PI you're focused on is important. Where do you want to work, and what kind of work do you want to do?

Also, PSLF may not be an absolute guarantee (although it's not really something you need to worry about if you're starting this year), but LRAP is through the school. If you're deeply concerned that the government would completely revoke PSLF for all borrowers, including past and present borrowers who relied on the program (not gonna happen), then ask the school if they have a plan for LRAP without PSLF.

[breyersringtone]

I apologize if this is an unhelpful or frustrating answer, but I'm pretty open to both the where and the what. I'm a lit para doing mostly trial support right now, and I like litigation. Like every other starry-eyed PI hopeful I'm interested in impact litigation, but I'm aware landing something like that out of school is exceedingly rare. I hope this answer doesn't make me sound like I'm not committed to PI. I just hesitate to say "I want to do XYZ" when I've never done XYZ, and I may end up loving ABC clinic or internship instead.

I'm from New York but I have a lot of family in the South, so I'm not chained to the East Coast.

[grades??]

This is for sure Duke

[arpanet]

I'd say Duke is worth it if you're committed to PI and want more options as far as location.

[runinthefront]

Duke, even if not all in on PI

[SmokeytheBear]

Duke, even if not all in on PI

[ernie]

Duke. keep in mind that impact lit jobs are very hard to get straight out of law school. But easier from duke than wustl for sure.

[chargers21]

Dook