WUSTL Recent Grad (and others) Taking Questions Forum

[Fiero85]

"As a graduate student, you don't really have to spend money on food."

[LET'S GET IT]

.

[Fiero85]

To the actual question though:

Again, yes, 15k is totally doable. But without roomies and/or not having a car, you might be cutting it pretty close.

In STL, a hyper frugal person could push it towards the 10k range and a person who likes to enjoy the finer things in life could spend more like 20k. Not really possible to nail it down without the key details like rent, car (or not), and spending habits on non-essentials.

[sublime]

To the actual question though:

Again, yes, 15k is totally doable. But without roomies and/or not having a car, you might be cutting it pretty close.

In STL, a hyper frugal person could push it towards the 10k range and a person who likes to enjoy the finer things in life could spend more like 20k.

Or just the shittier things like well whiskey, too often.


But also, if you are going to need to buy professional clothes at some point during the year, that can be pricy too. Plus possibly having to travel for OCI, interviews, etc.

[Fiero85]

Agreed with those two additional points haha

[RareExports]

Living with a roommate, STL rent is $300-600 (again, assuming no new luxury apartment). Car+insurance is $200-400 (unless you have a brand new or luxury car) and food doesn't add on too much to that, assuming you're eating at home for most meals and not buying expensive ingredients. I am covered on parents' health insurance, so that obviously helps. I didn't include books or suit in this because I bought them before the year, but those would add on another $1000-2000.

I don't mean to stir the pot - I'm just saying that not only is living on under 10k a year possible in STL, it's not that hard.

It seems like the majority disagrees though, so that's probably the outcome you should expect, OP.

Edit: I'll add that I'm mentioning living with a roommate because, though it is a little uncommon in STL, it wouldn't be unusual in NY/SF/DC/etc., and you're presumably trying to compare COL estimates, so I think it's only fair to compare apples to apples.

[valen]

is there any benefit to registering for intersession right away like there is for regular semesters?

[JCougar]

I was able to live on about $10K per year, but I'm used to living frugally.

I highly recommend just taking out as much COL money as you can, though. My loans are going to have to be forgiven anyway even with my frugal living during law school. So I sacrificed a lot of fun for nothing.

We live in the world of post-modern finance, where debt-financed money is mostly an illusion legislated into existence and then funneled to political allies--never to be repaid by anyone, and never intended to be repaid by even the lenders, because the lenders will either a) have the government insure them, or b) sell the bad debt off to another private institution. The Department of Education is well aware that most law graduates will never repay their loans, and yet they continue to lend stuff out and fail to regulate law schools. So don't feel guilty. Look at it as economic stimulus, and not an actual loan.

[aspire2esquire]

Thank-you note after a STL firm networking event? If so, snail mail or email?

[20170322]

Would WUSTL on a full ride plus 15k stipend be an ok bet for someone who wants biglaw?

[sweets91]

Would WUSTL on a full ride plus 15k stipend be an ok bet for someone who wants biglaw?

The amount of scholarship doesn't determine how well you'll do in law school, which is really all that matters when trying for biglaw. Just get the highest possible 1L gpa - most people in the top 1/3 here get biglaw if they have decent interviewing skills

edit - also not trying to be mean! Congrats on the full ride! Feel free to p/m me if you're a dean's fellow and you have questions or you want some more info about biglaw, etc.

[RareExports]

Thank-you note after a STL firm networking event? If so, snail mail or email?

I would only do it if you think you made a good connection. Basically don't thank everyone you spoke with. But, email.

[20170322]

Would WUSTL on a full ride plus 15k stipend be an ok bet for someone who wants biglaw?

The amount of scholarship doesn't determine how well you'll do in law school, which is really all that matters when trying for biglaw. Just get the highest possible 1L gpa - most people in the top 1/3 here get biglaw if they have decent interviewing skills

edit - also not trying to be mean! Congrats on the full ride! Feel free to p/m me if you're a dean's fellow and you have questions or you want some more info about biglaw, etc.

Sorry, wasn't trying to imply that! I just mean there's less risk involved with no debt.

[acr]

Would WUSTL on a full ride plus 15k stipend be an ok bet for someone who wants biglaw?

As others have mentioned, full ride + stipend here doesn't help your big law chances, but what it does is eliminate your downside risk. Instead of betting on a school like Georgetown, where scholarships are harder to come by, and employment statistics are only marginally better (44%?), you can basically have a "free shot" at big law. You're really only risking your time.

Roughly top 1/3 puts you in a decent position for big law, but nothing is guaranteed.

[LET'S GET IT]

Would WUSTL on a full ride plus 15k stipend be an ok bet for someone who wants biglaw?

The amount of scholarship doesn't determine how well you'll do in law school, which is really all that matters when trying for biglaw. Just get the highest possible 1L gpa - most people in the top 1/3 here get biglaw if they have decent interviewing skills

edit - also not trying to be mean! Congrats on the full ride! Feel free to p/m me if you're a dean's fellow and you have questions or you want some more info about biglaw, etc.

Sorry, wasn't trying to imply that! I just mean there's less risk involved with no debt.

Of course there is less risk involved w/r/t debt. There is also more risk involved w/r/t possibly not getting biglaw. So you just have to weigh those factors against each other. If you are getting that offer here (congrats!) then you should be in line for some T-14 money as well. It's tough. I don't know that anyone can tell you what's best for you, but you are in a great spot and there are worse problems to have. Well done.

[thexfactor]

Would WUSTL on a full ride plus 15k stipend be an ok bet for someone who wants biglaw?

As others have mentioned, full ride + stipend here doesn't help your big law chances, but what it does is eliminate your downside risk. Instead of betting on a school like Georgetown, where scholarships are harder to come by, and employment statistics are only marginally better (44%?), you can basically have a "free shot" at big law. You're really only risking your time.

Roughly top 1/3 puts you in a decent position for big law, but nothing is guaranteed.

I think you are forgetting that it costs you 3 years of time and a law degree does little for other fields other than law.While this is not always true, the unfortunate part is that your first job will most likely dictate the rest of your career.

I think full plus stipend at Washu is awesome but just because you did well on your lsats and have a high GPA does not mean that you will be at the top of the class at Washu. There is a sense of randomness in first year grades. Most classes are decided by 1 3 hour exam. It is like playing 1 hole of golf vs 18 holes of golf. There is a larger range of possible grades. Your first year grades are essentially decided based on 8 total exams. You could have a really bad day on one exam and given how tight the curve is this may put you at median or below top 1/3.

Top 1/3 will give you a chance but I think to be safe you need top 20%.

If you get a decent size scholarship from a T14 school or even UCLA USC Vandy, Texas, I would think long and hard about the decision. I think Georgetown median is roughly equal to top 1/3 at Washu. There is a lot higher chance that you will end up median vs being in the top 20-30%.

Lastly, law school tuition can be forgiven with IBR but getting your first job (good or bad) will stay with you forever.

[20170322]

Would WUSTL on a full ride plus 15k stipend be an ok bet for someone who wants biglaw?

As others have mentioned, full ride + stipend here doesn't help your big law chances, but what it does is eliminate your downside risk. Instead of betting on a school like Georgetown, where scholarships are harder to come by, and employment statistics are only marginally better (44%?), you can basically have a "free shot" at big law. You're really only risking your time.

Roughly top 1/3 puts you in a decent position for big law, but nothing is guaranteed.

I think you are forgetting that it costs you 3 years of time and a law degree does little for other fields other than law.While this is not always true, the unfortunate part is that your first job will most likely dictate the rest of your career.

I think full plus stipend at Washu is awesome but just because you did well on your lsats and have a high GPA does not mean that you will be at the top of the class at Washu. There is a sense of randomness in first year grades. Most classes are decided by 1 3 hour exam. It is like playing 1 hole of golf vs 18 holes of golf. There is a larger range of possible grades. Your first year grades are essentially decided based on 8 total exams. You could have a really bad day on one exam and given how tight the curve is this may put you at median or below top 1/3.

Top 1/3 will give you a chance but I think to be safe you need top 20%.

If you get a decent size scholarship from a T14 school or even UCLA USC Vandy, Texas, I would think long and hard about the decision. I think Georgetown median is roughly equal to top 1/3 at Washu. There is a lot higher chance that you will end up median vs being in the top 20-30%.

I wasn't trying to insinuate that I would do better. Just that I'm super debt adverse, and that a free lottery ticket is better than one you pay for. Just trying to get an idea of what my best option is. Sorry if I came off another way.

[LET'S GET IT]

Would WUSTL on a full ride plus 15k stipend be an ok bet for someone who wants biglaw?

As others have mentioned, full ride + stipend here doesn't help your big law chances, but what it does is eliminate your downside risk. Instead of betting on a school like Georgetown, where scholarships are harder to come by, and employment statistics are only marginally better (44%?), you can basically have a "free shot" at big law. You're really only risking your time.

Roughly top 1/3 puts you in a decent position for big law, but nothing is guaranteed.

I think you are forgetting that it costs you 3 years of time and a law degree does little for other fields other than law.While this is not always true, the unfortunate part is that your first job will most likely dictate the rest of your career.

I think full plus stipend at Washu is awesome but just because you did well on your lsats and have a high GPA does not mean that you will be at the top of the class at Washu. There is a sense of randomness in first year grades. Most classes are decided by 1 3 hour exam. It is like playing 1 hole of golf vs 18 holes of golf. There is a larger range of possible grades. Your first year grades are essentially decided based on 8 total exams. You could have a really bad day on one exam and given how tight the curve is this may put you at median or below top 1/3.

Top 1/3 will give you a chance but I think to be safe you need top 20%.

If you get a decent size scholarship from a T14 school or even UCLA USC Vandy, Texas, I would think long and hard about the decision. I think Georgetown median is roughly equal to top 1/3 at Washu. There is a lot higher chance that you will end up median vs being in the top 20-30%.

I wasn't trying to insinuate that I would do better. Just that I'm super debt adverse, and that a free lottery ticket is better than one you pay for. Just trying to get an idea of what my best option is. Sorry if I came off another way.

You didn't come across poorly at all, dude. Congrats again and good luck with the decision.

[RamTitan]

Would WUSTL on a full ride plus 15k stipend be an ok bet for someone who wants biglaw?

As others have mentioned, full ride + stipend here doesn't help your big law chances, but what it does is eliminate your downside risk. Instead of betting on a school like Georgetown, where scholarships are harder to come by, and employment statistics are only marginally better (44%?), you can basically have a "free shot" at big law. You're really only risking your time.

Roughly top 1/3 puts you in a decent position for big law, but nothing is guaranteed.

I think you are forgetting that it costs you 3 years of time and a law degree does little for other fields other than law.While this is not always true, the unfortunate part is that your first job will most likely dictate the rest of your career.

I think full plus stipend at Washu is awesome but just because you did well on your lsats and have a high GPA does not mean that you will be at the top of the class at Washu. There is a sense of randomness in first year grades. Most classes are decided by 1 3 hour exam. It is like playing 1 hole of golf vs 18 holes of golf. There is a larger range of possible grades. Your first year grades are essentially decided based on 8 total exams. You could have a really bad day on one exam and given how tight the curve is this may put you at median or below top 1/3.

Top 1/3 will give you a chance but I think to be safe you need top 20%.

If you get a decent size scholarship from a T14 school or even UCLA USC Vandy, Texas, I would think long and hard about the decision. I think Georgetown median is roughly equal to top 1/3 at Washu. There is a lot higher chance that you will end up median vs being in the top 20-30%.

I wasn't trying to insinuate that I would do better. Just that I'm super debt adverse, and that a free lottery ticket is better than one you pay for. Just trying to get an idea of what my best option is. Sorry if I came off another way.

You didn't come across poorly at all, dude. Congrats again and good luck with the decision.

I'm extremely interested in hearing what others have to say on this....I haven't heard back from most schools yet, but I imagine I'll be in a somewhat similar situation

[RareExports]

If you are on a full + stipend, you can always go for one semester and then if your grades aren't where they need to be for biglaw, drop out. That limits the opportunity cost. Of course, if your end goal is biglaw or bust, this doesn't help resolve the Wash U vs. other schools dilemma, but may help resolve Wash U vs. no law school at all (which is really what you're talking about when you're talking about opportunity cost).

[Dolphine]

Anyone take Business Negotiations (Reeves)? Looking for a easy 3 hours for my last semester.

Edit: wait wtf http://law.wustl.edu/registrar/distribu ... Reeves.pdf

ok anyone have suggestions for easy 3 hour courses?

[valen]

^^^ yeah don't take Reeves. Have you already done Pretrial?

edit unrelated: a couple September weekend course grades are up

[Dolphine]

^^^ yeah don't take Reeves. Have you already done Pretrial?

edit unrelated: a couple September weekend course grades are up

Taking it now, but that is in the realm of what I'm looking for here.

[WUST1L]

So how boned am I after a bad grade on the first memo?

[sweets91]

So how boned am I after a bad grade on the first memo?

do you know why you got a bad grade? and how bad is bad?