Trying to Decide... Forum

[goreman]

So I'm trying to wrap up my cycle and decide where I'm actually going to go. I was selected for a program where money is not an issue in debating between the schools and I have a guaranteed job upon graduation. While I got into Michigan, Cornell, and Georgetown, the program isn't likely to let me go to them without some decent scholly money from them which isn't likely. Obviously, if I'm able to work any of those, I'd prefer Michigan, Cornell, then Georgetown in that order. However, since those aren't likely, I'm trying to debate between Notre Dame, Indiana, Vanderbilt, and possibly UTexas or Duke. If money weren't an issue and you had a job lined up already, where would you go based on the academic programs they offer (good class offerings, faculty quality, interesting clinics, etc.), student body atmosphere, and location? I actually haven't heard back from UTexas or Duke on being accepted or not, so if you say that is where I should go, I'd appreciate hearing what you would pick if they weren't an option.

[The Ghost Writer]

Hey.. You are in a very unique position and should consider yourself very lucky? Whey exactly would you prefer Michigan over Cornell?

[granger]

Money would seem to be an issue if the program is going to prohibit you from going to the best schools you get into. I'd weigh whether or not this program is such an ideal long-term option, becausr passing up Michigan might otherwise be a mistake.

[vanwinkle]

If money's not an issue and you have a guaranteed job on graduation, I'd consider Indiana (assuming it's Bloomington and not Indy). The education you're going to get is going to be pretty similar at any school in that range, and I understand Bloomington to be a great place to spend three years.

If you get into UT-Austin, though, go there. You will not regret it. Incredibly great QOL, fairly low COL, and a school that's so close to the T14 some people expect it to move up into it in the next few years.

You're in an unusual position, so I would just recommend looking at the schools you've gotten into and where you'd want to live and go to school in the next three years, instead of focusing on post-graduation opportunities. These are all good Tier-1 schools so you can't go wrong with them if someone else is paying your ticket.

[goreman]

I agree. The program, however, has a budget cap of $30,000 a year. The program is the Army FLEP program. They essentially will pay for school (up to $30k a year in tuition but will accept scholarships from the school - they won't allow me to take loans or use my own money though to cover the gap). I'll also make my full pay and benefits (about $5k a month after taxes) throughout the entire time I'm in school, and I'll become an Army JAG after school. Overall, a pretty good deal. While I definitely want to go to Michigan, by the time I'm getting out of the Army, I also have a feeling that the school I went to will be less important than my actual legal experience. Feel free to comment on that too though.

[bighead715]

Money would seem to be an issue if the program is going to prohibit you from going to the best schools you get into. I'd weigh whether or not this program is such an ideal long-term option, becausr passing up Michigan might otherwise be a mistake.

^ that

but if you had to pick without schollies to the big 3 id take vandy, i liked that school a lot...until my miracle acceptance into michigan

[goreman]

Money would seem to be an issue if the program is going to prohibit you from going to the best schools you get into. I'd weigh whether or not this program is such an ideal long-term option, becausr passing up Michigan might otherwise be a mistake.

^ that

but if you had to pick without schollies to the big 3 id take vandy, i liked that school a lot...until my miracle acceptance into michigan

Believe me, the Michigan thing is weighing on me a lot. I talked to them and apparently didn't make the cut for any merit aid this last round. I guess there is always a chance in the future but if I go there, I may possibly be paying for full sticker. Not toally against that option just yet, but I'm going to have to ultimately make a decision by the end of February (if I'm getting out of the Army I will have to get my resignation paperwork in time to be processed and allow me to get to school on time).

[bighead715]

im probably paying sticker there - oh well, i'll roll the dice with some debt

thanks for serving our country by the way

[vanwinkle]

I agree. The program, however, has a budget cap of $30,000 a year. The program is the Army FLEP program. They essentially will pay for school (up to $30k a year in tuition but will accept scholarships from the school - they won't allow me to take loans or use my own money though to cover the gap). I'll also make my full pay and benefits (about $5k a month after taxes) throughout the entire time I'm in school, and I'll become an Army JAG after school. Overall, a pretty good deal. While I definitely want to go to Michigan, by the time I'm getting out of the Army, I also have a feeling that the school I went to will be less important than my actual legal experience. Feel free to comment on that too though.

If you're guaranteed Army JAG upon graduation, then just pick a place you can afford to go! It really is that simple for you. Prestige doesn't matter much because you're guaranteed a job either way, and then after you're out of JAG you'll have that experience to put on your resume instead of just where your degree is from.

The school you go to will be relatively unimportant. Honestly the level of education between T14 and lower Tier-1 school is not large at all from what I understand; the main differences are in the prestige of the schools, their alumni network, and their reputation. Those are the things students typically have to rely on to find jobs after graduation, but the key here is that you don't. Go to any respectable school and you'll be fine.

Good luck, man, and thanks for serving.

[bighead715]

I agree. The program, however, has a budget cap of $30,000 a year. The program is the Army FLEP program. They essentially will pay for school (up to $30k a year in tuition but will accept scholarships from the school - they won't allow me to take loans or use my own money though to cover the gap). I'll also make my full pay and benefits (about $5k a month after taxes) throughout the entire time I'm in school, and I'll become an Army JAG after school. Overall, a pretty good deal. While I definitely want to go to Michigan, by the time I'm getting out of the Army, I also have a feeling that the school I went to will be less important than my actual legal experience. Feel free to comment on that too though.

If you're guaranteed Army JAG upon graduation, then just pick a place you can afford to go! It really is that simple for you. Prestige doesn't matter much because you're guaranteed a job either way, and then after you're out of JAG you'll have that experience to put on your resume instead of just where your degree is from.

The school you go to will be relatively unimportant. Honestly the level of education between T14 and lower Tier-1 school is not large at all from what I understand; the main differences are in the prestige of the schools, their alumni network, and their reputation. Those are the things students typically have to rely on to find jobs after graduation, but the key here is that you don't. Go to any respectable school and you'll be fine.

Good luck, man, and thanks for serving.

ooooooo, army JAG, in that case...TITCR

[najumobi]

I agree. The program, however, has a budget cap of $30,000 a year. The program is the Army FLEP program. They essentially will pay for school (up to $30k a year in tuition but will accept scholarships from the school - they won't allow me to take loans or use my own money though to cover the gap). I'll also make my full pay and benefits (about $5k a month after taxes) throughout the entire time I'm in school, and I'll become an Army JAG after school. Overall, a pretty good deal. While I definitely want to go to Michigan, by the time I'm getting out of the Army, I also have a feeling that the school I went to will be less important than my actual legal experience. Feel free to comment on that too though.

i think you should just choose the school in the location you'd feel most comfortable living and going to school for the next 3 years.

[neskerdoo]

why do you need scholarship money up front? Loan forgiveness/ LRAP wouldn't help?

[vanwinkle]

why do you need scholarship money up front? Loan forgiveness/ LRAP wouldn't help?

The program is the Army FLEP program. They essentially will pay for school (up to $30k a year in tuition but will accept scholarships from the school - they won't allow me to take loans or use my own money though to cover the gap).

[neskerdoo]

wow... skipped a whole post...

well, then maybe if you told those schools you have a guaranteed job, they might decide your data point on the employment figures is worth some cash.........

[vanwinkle]

well, then maybe if you told those schools you have a guaranteed job, they might decide your data point on the employment figures is worth some cash.........

This is true, that's a really unique negotiating point. You could tell different schools "I can only pay up to $30k in tuition/fees because of this program, I'd like to attend your school but I'd need scholarship money for tuition above that... I have a guaranteed job in JAG when I graduate, though." Someone will bite on that and cough up the $10-15K/yr necessary to keep you in that window.

[yeff]

I am struggling to understand the rationale for this policy. Why does the Army prohibit you from taking out loans or using your own money to cover the gap?

[goreman]

selfishly bumping my thread

A few comments also:
1. yeff -- i have no idea why they have that policy. i assume it's somehow written into the legislation that created the program. it is what it is and i just have to deal with the cards as they are dealt

2. i just found out i got into UTexas

3. i agree it could be a negotiating point with the schools for money. i brought it up to michigan and it didn't seem to really help though. maybe cornell or georgetown though once i get the financial aid forms done in the next day or two