In at WUSTL and GWU - Which one should I choose? Forum

[Total Litigator]

My current situation: I go to a school ranked in the 50's and I am outside of the Top 20%.
My predicament: I have gotten into both WUSTL and GWU. My goal is to work in the field of international commercial law. I also would like to work on the East Coast. Right now everyone is probably thinking GWU is the correct choice. However, I also really like WUSTL's law building, and I feel like WUSTL (with their $5 billion university endowment) have the genuine possibility of increasing their ranking and national reputation. In regards to international law GWU comes in at #8 on the US News top 20 International law programs list but, if one purchases a US New membership, one will see that WUSTL actually makes the list, coming in at #14.

My question: They are both great schools. I am torn. Help me out?

[fenway]

My current situation: I go to a school ranked in the 50's and I am outside of the Top 20%.
My predicament: I have gotten into both WUSTL and GWU. My goal is to work in the field of international commercial law. I also would like to work on the East Coast. Right now everyone is probably thinking GWU is the correct choice. However, I also really like WUSTL's law building, and I feel like WUSTL (with their $5 billion university endowment) have the genuine possibility of increasing their ranking and national reputation. In regards to international law GWU comes in at #8 on the US News top 20 International law programs list but, if one purchases a US New membership, one will see that WUSTL actually makes the list, coming in at #14.

My question: They are both great schools. I am torn. Help me out?

you spend 3 years in a law building. then the next 35 with your ls degree. East Coast=GW, no question. WUSTL is a fantastic school, but it is not going to make a rise in the rankings that would outplay GW in its own region. also, I don't think the US News specialty rankings mean all that much. but whatever you choose, congrats on the acceptances.

[transplantedbuckeye]

I don't know that there is a wrong decision here, so if you feel more comfortable or just like WUSTL better, go there

congratulations

[merichard87]

GWU. You can't base your decision now on how the rankings may play out later. GWU is East Coast and WUSTL is midwest. Go with the location.

[Thomas Jefferson]

GWU. You can't base your decision now on how the rankings may play out later. GWU is East Coast and WUSTL is midwest. Go with the location.

[Total Litigator]

Thanks a lot everyone, I appreciate the input. It seems like GWU is the verdict and I think I agree. However, I'm going to sleep on it tonight and make a deposit in the morning.

[pu_golf88]

Good luck with your decision. I'm another one that votes GW for east coast.

[thexfactor]

bump

[NU_Jet55]

Wash U! T19 FTW

[thexfactor]

lol thats what my parents keep telling me. WASHU is higher ranked! LOLL

Wash U! T19 FTW

[A'nold]

Dude, think about it: why would WUSTL's slightly better future rank (when you are talking about this, you are talking like 15-20 years from now) and reputation matter when you will have worked that long?

30 years from now you'll tell your grandkids that you went to a t18 school compared to #20 GW.......sounds kind of dumb huh?

[thexfactor]

sigh agreed. more people heard of washu as compared to GW. Easier to impress clients? Kinda like an XFACTOR?

Dude, think about it: why would WUSTL's slightly better future rank (when you are talking about this, you are talking like 15-20 years from now) and reputation matter when you will have worked that long?

30 years from now you'll tell your grandkids that you went to a t18 school compared to #20 GW.......sounds kind of dumb huh?

[Grizz]

Lulz at intl. law specialty rankings.

[transplantedbuckeye]

sigh agreed. more people heard of washu as compared to GW. Easier to impress clients? Kinda like an XFACTOR?

I doubt that.

[ubetcha]

Dude, think about it: why would WUSTL's slightly better future rank (when you are talking about this, you are talking like 15-20 years from now) and reputation matter when you will have worked that long?

30 years from now you'll tell your grandkids that you went to a t18 school compared to #20 GW.......sounds kind of dumb huh?

Didn't both of you (A'nold and xfactor) apply to WUSTL and haven't heard yet? Also, both are fairly regional schools; however, GW takes a backseat to GULC in the one market it is strong in. With the number of students that come out of GULC every year, there is a very strong chance that you will be competing with a higher-ranked, better recognized JD at every job you apply to in the one market your school has a lot of clout...just don't see the benefit of GW. I know the response will be that GW places well in NYC and Boston as well, but the competition among applicants is so strong in those markets that geographical preference of schools is likely to carry very little weight.

[Thomas Jefferson]

sigh agreed. more people heard of washu as compared to GW. Easier to impress clients? Kinda like an XFACTOR?

I doubt that.

So do I.

[A'nold]

Dude, think about it: why would WUSTL's slightly better future rank (when you are talking about this, you are talking like 15-20 years from now) and reputation matter when you will have worked that long?

30 years from now you'll tell your grandkids that you went to a t18 school compared to #20 GW.......sounds kind of dumb huh?

Didn't both of you (A'nold and xfactor) apply to WUSTL and haven't heard yet? Also, both are fairly regional schools; however, GW takes a backseat to GULC in the one market it is strong in. With the number of students that come out of GULC every year, there is a very strong chance that you will be competing with a higher-ranked, better recognized JD at every job you apply to in the one market your school has a lot of clout...just don't see the benefit of GW. I know the response will be that GW places well in NYC and Boston as well, but the competition among applicants is so strong in those markets that geographical preference of schools is likely to carry very little weight.

Yeah, I would love to get into WUSTL, but that wasn't the point of the thread, right? We were supposed to decide what was best for you. Are you saying that we are secretly trying to gain you seat or something? Haha.