Top Law Schools

Top ~5% at WUSTL. I feel like HYS is a long shot but would be a pretty easy decision. Is it worth leaving for CCN? MVP?

I'll have around $140k in debt if I stay (might be able to negotiate this down with an acceptance somewhere but not sure), and likely around $200k if I go between increased tuition and cost of living. Goal is Big Law (probably transactional), probably NYC at least for a few years. Clerking is not really on my radar but I have some pretty great people in my corner here if I stay, but I've heard getting recs as a transfer can be difficult.

I feel like I'll be competitive for top NYC firms even if I stay, and having less debt would obviously be great. On the other hand, transferring probably makes getting a firm job more of a sure thing (due to better OCI), and I feel like a brand name school (like a Columbia or Penn) could keep some long-term options like transitioning to business, etc. a bit more open.

Thoughts?

Shameless bump. Anyone?

1. Apply
2. Come back with your options

If you're looking for hypothetical advice (not speaking to just OP, it seems like a lot of people are this time of year), then I highly recommend reading the Arrow's Advice sticky at the top of this forum, as well as this.

Thanks for the response. I am applying, and I will come back with my options, but I expect to have to make the decision very quickly and would like to start mulling it over. I think it's a real toss up personally, so any thoughts would be appreciated.

Anonymous User wrote:Thanks for the response. I am applying, and I will come back with my options, but I expect to have to make the decision very quickly and would like to start mulling it over. I think it's a real toss up personally, so any thoughts would be appreciated.

I totally agree that it's a toss up here. Honestly, it seems like from your OP that you have really thought this through and can see both sides clearly. Do NYC firms regularly hire from WUSTL? Any idea if WUSTL awards money to students in the top X% or if they would play ball if you came in with a transfer acceptance? CLS and NYU would obviously put you in a great spot for the NYC firms (Penn too, but just mentioning those because of location). From one transfer applicant to another, I think it would be worth the extra $60k, but that's a totally personal decision that only you know the answer to.

My turn...

3.793 @ Chicago TT (DePaul, Kent, Loyola)
~5%, Law Review, Moot Court Honor
Looking at U of Chicago and Northwestern

What are my chances oh wise ones? Any other suggestions on schools I would have a decent shot at?

ejlions84 wrote:My turn...

3.793 @ Chicago TT (DePaul, Kent, Loyola)
~5%, Law Review, Moot Court Honor
Looking at U of Chicago and Northwestern

What are my chances oh wise ones? Any other suggestions on schools I would have a decent shot at?

shameless hijack

stillwater wrote:

ejlions84 wrote:My turn...

3.793 @ Chicago TT (DePaul, Kent, Loyola)
~5%, Law Review, Moot Court Honor
Looking at U of Chicago and Northwestern

What are my chances oh wise ones? Any other suggestions on schools I would have a decent shot at?

shameless hijack

Fah real. Go here dude.

ejlions84 wrote:My turn...

3.793 @ Chicago TT (DePaul, Kent, Loyola)
~5%, Law Review, Moot Court Honor
Looking at U of Chicago and Northwestern

What are my chances oh wise ones? Any other suggestions on schools I would have a decent shot at?

No, not your turn. I started a thread about my decision- please don't shit it up.

Anonymous User wrote:

ejlions84 wrote:My turn...

3.793 @ Chicago TT (DePaul, Kent, Loyola)
~5%, Law Review, Moot Court Honor
Looking at U of Chicago and Northwestern

What are my chances oh wise ones? Any other suggestions on schools I would have a decent shot at?

No, not your turn. I started a thread about my decision- please don't shit it up.

Danger Zone wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Thanks for the response. I am applying, and I will come back with my options, but I expect to have to make the decision very quickly and would like to start mulling it over. I think it's a real toss up personally, so any thoughts would be appreciated.

I totally agree that it's a toss up here. Honestly, it seems like from your OP that you have really thought this through and can see both sides clearly. Do NYC firms regularly hire from WUSTL? Any idea if WUSTL awards money to students in the top X% or if they would play ball if you came in with a transfer acceptance? CLS and NYU would obviously put you in a great spot for the NYC firms (Penn too, but just mentioning those because of location). From one transfer applicant to another, I think it would be worth the extra $60k, but that's a totally personal decision that only you know the answer to.

Thanks DZ. NYC firms do hire from WUSTL (basically have to be top 10% to have a strong chance, but we have kids that get Cravath, S&C, Cleary, Paul Weiss, etc.). I have no idea about the money, but I'm certainly going to try, and obviously if they upped my scholarship it would make it a much more difficult decision. I agree about CLS and NYU, but I don't know if it's worth the extra money, haha I guess that's why it's a tough decision. Thanks for your input, though.

Ha...I actually got the wrong one, thanks for not totally overreacting everyone..or...