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I am currently a rising 2L from a NW T2 about the 50% of my class. I was recently admitted to UW as a transfer, curious about thoughts on if I should go.

I was receiving 5000, but once they found out that I may go, they increased it by 13,000. I did write-on to a journal(not law review) at my current school.

My dilemma is that I want to work in Washington, but I have absolutely no interest in big law. I also am not particularly sold on practicing in Seattle. I initially applied to transfer because of the cost difference, job opportunities, etc. But now the school I am at would be 6,000 dollars cheaper over the next two years. However, that is contingent on me still being considered a resident of Washington, which I should be. Any advice?

If this helps at all, I am interested in public interest work, specifically indigent defense.

My advice would be not to limit yourself. UW will give you many more regional options and will also open some national doors. Do they have any loan repayment programs for public service work?

Only you know you, though. It will be tough coming in as a transfer to make new friends, get settled, etc. You're the new kid at school. That being said, on the balance, UW is probably the way to go. This is especially true if it's not much more expensive.

Would saying your school out you? It might help here. But transferring is a tough call in any sense. 18k isn't enough to make it a no brainer IMO. If not big law what do you want? Mid law? PI? Does GW place better into what you want?

Just re-read OP. $6000 is negligible when it comes to "trading up" your degree. This doesn't take into account all the intangible factors, though.