Top Law Schools

Hey guys. I'm at CatholicU and can't decide between NU or GW. I want to practice IP law when I graduate.

I could really use advice on this! Thanks.

I guarantee the 3 people who have thus far told you to go to GW are waiting for an NU acceptance.... NU is the obvious choice; specialty rankings mean nothing.

Thanks, Bankhead. The fact that GW is #3 for IP is making me lean in that direction. But one of my profs said the same thing you wrote.

If you're doing patents you might want to go where it is cheaper for you to attend. What do you mean by 'IP law'

This is a good question. I didn't know GW is so highly ranked for IP. Is there a general consensus that specialty rankings have little to no value? I'm also interested in IP and have been admitted to GW, NU, + others. I say NU. Can anyone else comment about this poll?

crazypants wrote:If you're doing patents you might want to go where it is cheaper for you to attend. What do you mean by 'IP law'

patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, infringement litigation, etc...

I think GW's tuition is the most expensive nationwide.

dcpolitico wrote:

crazypants wrote:If you're doing patents you might want to go where it is cheaper for you to attend. What do you mean by 'IP law'

patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, infringement litigation, etc...

The answer is Northwestern and it isn't close.

Nice. That's the reassurance I'm looking for. Plus, I'm not keeping open another $500 seat deposit.

Thanks everyone. This helps a little, but still undecided.

I call flame

indecision2010T wrote:Thanks everyone. This helps a little, but still undecided.

Specialty rankings mean nothing. Especially when you're comparing a T14 school to a non-T14.
If you're paying anywhere near the same amount to attend these schools, it's NU by a landslide.

I'd pick NU over GW for IP, GW is nice if you're picking between GW and Vanderbilt or Emory or something, and you know you want to be a patent lawyer - but not versus NU. Full scholarship v. GW versus nothing at NU? I dont know, it depends on your personal appetite for debt - I dont think you're a lock for IP big law going out of Northwestern 1L with median grades even if you have the right background - but I could be sorely mistaken.

If you pick NU full debt over GW huge scholarship, and end up at or below median at Northwestern - I'm not sure you'd get many more opportunities compared to a top student at GW. So economically speaking, this is maybe somethingI would consider.

yellowjacket2012 wrote: If you pick NU full debt over GW huge scholarship, and end up at or below median at Northwestern - I'm not sure you'd get many more opportunities compared to a top student at GW. So economically speaking, this is maybe somethingI would consider.

OP is at CUA. GW doesn't award scholarships to transfers. (Plz correct me if I'm wrong. I'd love to get 100% scholarship + extra $$$ at GW.)

ahhhh, gotcha. I'd transfer to Northwestern then - no brainer

yellowjacket2012 wrote:ahhhh, gotcha. I'd transfer to Northwestern then - no brainer

If you can get 100% scholarship, that would be really cool. I agree, GW might be the sweeter deal. Doesn't anyone know if a transfer could pull off 100% scholarship at GW + extra spending cash for books, laptop, Kindle, and iPad?

Lol, I thought this thread was going to be about a guy asking whether he should stay at GW with a top of class rank with scholly $$ wanting to go into IP law.......LULZ.

Admission packet says no merit-based $$$ for transfers I guess there's no harm in asking though.