The George Washington Law School 2010 Forum

[CyLaw]

I'm still really scared about the expense of GW. Is anyone considering paying sticker?

I am. I'm hoping it won't come to that, but I'd do it if I had to. In all honesty, I'm a splitter and didn't do as well this cycle as I hoped, and I really really really want to go to GW. I don't necessarily think that paying sticker here is right for everyone, and it depends on your other options and what you want to do with your degree. That being said, however, I do think there are a lot of people who take out the requisite 150k in loans and end up doing just fine in the end. Sure, its an enormous commitment, but not an impossible one.

GW is going to be 210k+ (at least) in loans at sticker. I just cower in fear of that number.

I see a lot of people commenting on a high tuition at GW. According to their website, it's $43,998 per academic year. While 43k is high IN GENERAL, it didn't seem much higher than any other peer law school, except for state schools. Aren't almost all first tier private law schools 40-45?

Don't forgot Cost Of Living which is quite high for DC.

[Veritas]

I was talking about everything, COL included is estimated at $70k next year. This is according to their website.

[dakatz]

I was talking about everything, COL included is estimated at $70k next year. This is according to their website.

I can't even fathom what 210K would be with interest. Either you are very rich or very crazy to even consider that.

[Dignan]

Don't forgot Cost Of Living which is quite high for DC.

But COL is also quite high for many of the other schools in the Top 30. Plus, I think people tend to overemphasize COL for a student. Yes, you might have to pay an extra $200 per month for rent in DC compared to, say, Minneapolis. Although paying an extra $5K for rent over three years is annoying, it seems like it should be a minor consideration given the overall cost of law school.

[dogdavid]

Don't forgot Cost Of Living which is quite high for DC.

But COL is also quite high for many of the other schools in the Top 30. Plus, I think people tend to overemphasize COL for a student. Yes, you might have to pay an extra $200 per month for rent in DC compared to, say, Minneapolis. Although paying an extra $5K for rent over three years is annoying, it seems like it should be a minor consideration given the overall cost of law school.

you mean an extra $7200...

[ashkenazy]

5000k over 3 years isn't bad, but 10,000 difference per year is something to consider. Check each school's website for estimated COL. GW is close to 25k, others are much lower.

[Dignan]

5000k over 3 years isn't bad, but 10,000 difference per year is something to consider. Check each school's website for estimated COL. GW is close to 25k, others are much lower.

Schools tend to exaggerate COL figures in order to make it easier for the students to take out higher loans. I'd like to see the COL breakdown of the T30 school that allows a typical student to live for 10K per year cheaper than in DC.

[ashkenazy]

5000k over 3 years isn't bad, but 10,000 difference per year is something to consider. Check each school's website for estimated COL. GW is close to 25k, others are much lower.

For example, UMich and UVA are both at about 15k for COL.

[tesoro]

COL in DC is pennies. Just move to NoVA. I pay under $600 in rent per month living in a townhouse and get free street parking. Metro is walkable.

The $70k figure is if you insist on living in a high rise in foggy bottom.

You can also live very cheap ($400-$700) in a rowhouse on capitol hill. Good luck with parking, though, if you need it.

edit: As a matter of fact, the only reason I haven't deposited at Fordham yet is the shockingly low COL here in DC. I would love to see an acceptance from GW so that I can weigh the two from this perspective. The savings are tremendous.

[jmhendri]

ED, Sent to the regular decision pool. Arrived today. I'm in San Diego.

Has anyone been flat out rejected yet from ED?

[jk11287]

I honestly don't feel like the COL is that high. I've been looking online at apartments and stuff, and I used to live in Baltimore so I'm vaguely familiar with the area. Obviously, COL is higher in major cities than in rural areas, but Northern VA is so commutable that it is convenient and affordable.

[jk11287]

ED, Sent to the regular decision pool. Arrived today. I'm in San Diego.

Has anyone been flat out rejected yet from ED?

Does that even happen? i feel like they would just defer you and make you wait until the end...

[jmhendri]

ED, Sent to the regular decision pool. Arrived today. I'm in San Diego.

Has anyone been flat out rejected yet from ED?

Does that even happen? i feel like they would just defer you and make you wait until the end...

sadists.

[ashkenazy]

COL in DC is pennies. Just move to NoVA. I pay under $600 in rent per month living in a townhouse and get free street parking. Metro is walkable.

The $70k figure is if you insist on living in a high rise in foggy bottom.

You can also live very cheap ($400-$700) in a rowhouse on capitol hill. Good luck with parking, though, if you need it.

edit: As a matter of fact, the only reason I haven't deposited at Fordham yet is the shockingly low COL here in DC. I would love to see an acceptance from GW so that I can weigh the two from this perspective. The savings are tremendous.

Hey, that's good to know... thanks!

[Amelie]

I honestly don't feel like the COL is that high. I've been looking online at apartments and stuff, and I used to live in Baltimore so I'm vaguely familiar with the area. Obviously, COL is higher in major cities than in rural areas, but Northern VA is so commutable that it is convenient and affordable.

This. Rosslyn, Pentagon City, and Arlington are just a few metro accessible options. If you don't mind living outside of the District it is much more affordable. Rosslyn is even technically walkable (in good weather) to Georgetown (the neighborhood, not the school).

[nematoad]

Wowww. Just flat out rejected from George Washington Univ. 165/3.7 strong softs. Submitted early Nov. PM for details.

Edit: RD FT

OMG whyyy? that really blows... and also means its not looking to hot for me.
GW, i hardly knew ye

[JusticeHarlan]

Is anyone who was deferred from ED to RD gonna write a LOCI, or is that out of place unless/until you've been waitlisted? I know normally applying ED is enough to show interest, but GW's ED is different because of the scholarship involved; it might not be a bad idea to imply that even without the full ride I'm still very interested? Thoughts?

[jlue05]

ED. Received my deferral/acceptance letter in the mail today!

[wired]

Location, stats?

[umichgrad]

my mail came, nothing again. pretty sure they dropped my application behind a desk.

[bmoredagny]

Denied, RD for PT.
Went complete 11/25
Letter dated 1/12, received today in Maryland.

163 / 3.1

[wired]

No mail.

Applied ED, 169/3.38.

[jk11287]

No mail.

Applied ED, 169/3.38.

same 169/3.3

[ryguy]

No mail also...NY area 169/3.4

[jbrowning82]

The snail mail was sent out on friday so you should get something on monday or tuesday or later in the week depending on how far away you are from DC