GW VS Emory Forum

[lynnlzh95]

Hi,
I am an international student and I just got into GW and Emory with GW $$ and Emory $$$. I am wondering which school is better for me. I am interested in IP law, international law and business law right now, but not pretty sure if I'll change my mind after a detailed learning. I know that GW is in DC and I have a really good impression of DC after my trip there. However, I am a little worried that the competition in DC's market is too big, with Georgetown and other top law schools. I am afraid it's gonna be harder to find an externship or a job there. In Atlanta market, Emory is a pretty good law school, but it's kind of narrow. I may go back to my country, so I want to accumulate more experience and information. Therefore, which one will you recommend? May you guys help me?

[Anon-non-anon]

Hi,
I am an international student and I just got into GW and Emory with GW $$ and Emory $$$. I am wondering which school is better for me. I am interested in IP law, international law and business law right now, but not pretty sure if I'll change my mind after a detailed learning. I know that GW is in DC and I have a really good impression of DC after my trip there. However, I am a little worried that the competition in DC's market is too big, with Georgetown and other top law schools. I am afraid it's gonna be harder to find an externship or a job there. In Atlanta market, Emory is a pretty good law school, but it's kind of narrow. I may go back to my country, so I want to accumulate more experience and information. Therefore, which one will you recommend? May you guys help me?

Being in DC is actually a huge advantage for internships bc you can do things during the year that others only can do in the summers. DC has so many more slots for interns all year round that Atlanta likely won't. While 1L summer in DC may be a little more competitive (ppl ship in from around the country), places are also so used to seeing apps from GW I don't know anyone that didn't end up with a legal internship, even with pretty bad grades and low-lvl hustling. Don't get the DDC internship 1L summer bc a bunch of yale ppl did? Just apply in the fall, guaranteed you'll get it.

[trebekismyhero]

If you are paying for law school yourself, use the Emory $$$ to try and get a little more from GW. DC cost of living is much more expensive than Atlanta. Overall probably go with GW over Emory. But if you want to go back to your home country, pick the school that has the best reputation in your home country and/or cheapest. If you want to stay in the U.S. neither are great options. You will likely need big law for visa purposes and both schools give you about 1 in 4 chance at best. If you want big law, especially as an international student you need to go to a t14

[lynnlzh95]

Thanks for your infor guys! I am still waiting for the results of some T14. Hope that I can get into one of them! It sounds like GW is a pretty good choice, considering its location and programs. I'll try to ask about the reputation of these two schools in my country and ask about my parents attitude since they will pay my bills. Thank your guys so much!

[Lilly Luchen]

in my humble opinion, international students should always prioritize big city over more obscure locations. not having any social network in the States is a real pain.

as for visa sponsorship, getting into big law means returning to home country if you didn't win the lottery. Basically, there is no desirable option for an international right now. The goal is to be as good as you can, network hard, open your eyes to "shitty" opportunities that others think are beneath them, and let fate decide.