Experience at GW Forum

[leapingnarwhal]

Can someone tell me what their experience at GW was like for their JD? I love DC but I've heard/read some things that make me hesitant:
- that there is the little brother syndrome in relation to Georgetown
- the so-called "gunner" environment
- large class sizes

My other top options right now are Boston University and Boston College. Any insight is much appreciated.

[rad lulz]

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[mi-chan17]

I could probably write a few paragraphs on why this was the case, but in general, I really enjoyed my time at GW. Living in DC (or, for my 2 and 3L years, Arlington) was fantastic. Being in DC gave me internship opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise. I reaped the benefits of going to a school with a large number of students - I had more classes to choose from and more people around that became friends or colleagues, not to mention I've met a lot of alums. To answer your specific concerns:

1) Georgetown is there, hovering in the background, but frankly it rarely came up. I had a few co-interns who were Georgetown kids, but even more that weren't. The ones I met were cool. I'm not really sure what else there is to say. They've got better biglaw numbers than we do? That's something to consider, definitely, if that's your end goal.

2) "Gunner" environment? There are gunners in any law school class, even at GW. That said, I don't recall there ever being a "gunner" culture or something. It wasn't cut-throat. I never got turned down if I asked for notes because I'd been out, I gave mine away just as freely. My classmates and I studied for exams together and when asked, I happily gave people my outlines. I don't know anyone who was ever turned down for that kind of thing. Honestly, I don't think we have a very competitive atmosphere.

3) Large class sizes. There are classes where there are large class sizes. That said, no class will ever be bigger (at least in my experience) than about 120 people (give or take). During your 1L, at least one of your classes will only be about 40 people, and another will only be 12 people. The 12 person class has not only a professor, but a Dean's Fellow (3L TA). So you wouldn't spend your entire first year flailing. There are a lot of students, though, and the experience is less one-on-one than it might be at a smaller school. Getting to know professors (or, more importantly, them getting to know you) requires actual effort sometimes, and at some schools it might be easier. On the flip side, there are a couple benefits: there is more class variety (because more students means more professors), and if you hate your section you have a few hundred other options in terms of people to hang out with.

ALL THAT SAID, despite my liking GW, whether it's a good idea to go there is a separate question.

Gw is the ultimate trap school

This strikes me as going a bit far (especially when we have American in our backyard), but there's a reason he said it. GW is expensive. About a quarter of the 2012 graduating class (the one just ahead of mine) was on school-funded jobs for a year that are counted in our employment statistics. I suspect my class will look similar, once they actually post our numbers. Our biglaw placement is about what you expect in our peer group (Fordham, BC/BU, etc.), but it's not as good as T-14 and we're a regional located in one of the toughest markets in the country.

Deciding to go to GW requires knowing something about what you want to do, and having some solid scholarship money in hand, in my opinion. If you've got both, then it might be worth it. If you're paying sticker, I'd very, very seriously reconsider.

[FSK]

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[Teoeo]

I didn't perceive any "gunner culture" at GW at all. There were gunners, but the atmosphere was generally friendly and laid back (for law school).

[androstan]

I echo mi-chan and teoeo.

Among GW and its peers: If you are patent-bar eligible and certain you want to specialize in that, go to GW. Barring that, go the cheapest route. If they are similarly priced, pick the school in the location you prefer.