Ohio State at half tuition vs Georgetown at sticker Forum

[Law2511]

Currently I am accepted at OSU with half tuition. I am actually only on the preferred wait list at Georgetown, but this is something I have been contemplating for quite sometime. Thoughts?

[melekal]

I'd imagine many will ask what your goals are to give you a better answer - where would you like to work, do you have connections in either market, how would you finance remaining coa, etc. Half tuition is no joke (and I'm of the camp that believes no school is worth sticker) but if these are your only remaining options and you're able to break into the t-14, I'd say gt or retake if you think you could up your chances for admits and $$ next cycle.

[Law2511]

I'd imagine many will ask what your goals are to give you a better answer - where would you like to work, do you have connections in either market, how would you finance remaining coa, etc. Half tuition is no joke (and I'm of the camp that believes no school is worth sticker) but if these are your only remaining options and you're able to break into the t-14, I'd say gt or retake if you think you could up your chances for admits and $$ next cycle.

Thanks! I am from Ohio, and have decent connections here. If I am to practice, my areas of interest are Constitutional law and Civil Rights. Being that those are my two areas of interest, I thought Gtown by location and prestige would be better. However, sticker is also a big risk. I guess I was trying to gauge if OSU's more regional market (with half tuition) would be better than Gtown's better network (at sticker)

[Nachoo2019]

there is one situation where GULC at sticker is worth it and that's if you have rich parents funding the entire 300k+.

Also, you say Ohio gave you half tuition. What would your total COA be for Ohio?

[Law2511]

there is one situation where GULC at sticker is worth it and that's if you have rich parents funding the entire 300k+.

Also, you say Ohio gave you half tuition. What would your total COA be for Ohio?

Negative on the rich parents, lol. I am in state, so I would be paying roughly $15,000 plus living expenses (not cheap, but obviously cheaper than living in DC)

[Nachoo2019]

there is one situation where GULC at sticker is worth it and that's if you have rich parents funding the entire 300k+.

Also, you say Ohio gave you half tuition. What would your total COA be for Ohio?

Negative on the rich parents, lol. I am in state, so I would be paying roughly $15,000 plus living expenses (not cheap, but obviously cheaper than living in DC)

So would you say roughly 80-100k total for Ohio?

Seems like a lot of debt for a flagship state school. What is your LSAT/GPA and do you have any other offers?

Also, what are your goals and where do you want to end up working/living after school

[raven1231]

Op what are your stats? I'm curious as I was offered scholarship at OSU that would have had me paying 28k tuition total over all three years ($9,500k a year), I turned it down. I was very interested in Georgetown but didn't apply because I figured my stats weren't good enough. If you could PM them I would be very curious to see how they compare to mine. Perhaps I should have applied to Georgetown after all. Where in Ohio do you live? I'm from Cincinnati?

[Law2511]

there is one situation where GULC at sticker is worth it and that's if you have rich parents funding the entire 300k+.

Also, you say Ohio gave you half tuition. What would your total COA be for Ohio?

Negative on the rich parents, lol. I am in state, so I would be paying roughly $15,000 plus living expenses (not cheap, but obviously cheaper than living in DC)

So would you say roughly 80-100k total for Ohio?

Seems like a lot of debt for a flagship state school. What is your LSAT/GPA and do you have any other offers?

Also, what are your goals and where do you want to end up working/living after school

That estimate seems about right.

As for numbers, I have a history of low standardized test scores (so far hasn't predicted my performance) 156 (took the LSAT twice; 156 twice) and a 3.9 GPA. Strong softs and good personal statement.

OSU is the only school I am accepted at. I am reserved at Columbia, and wait listed at Penn, Gtown, UCLA, Vanderbilt, and WUSTL.

Dream job would be at the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division. However, I am not opposed to living in and working in Ohio.

[Law2511]

Op what are your stats? I'm curious as I was offered scholarship at OSU that would have had me paying 28k tuition total over all three years ($9,500k a year), I turned it down. I was very interested in Georgetown but didn't apply because I figured my stats weren't good enough. If you could PM them I would be very curious to see how they compare to mine. Perhaps I should have applied to Georgetown after all. Where in Ohio do you live? I'm from Cincinnati?

My stats are nowhere near impressive. 156, 3.9

I am from Canton.

[hairbear7]

I would not go to law school with the expectation that you are going to end up doing "Constitutional" or civil rights law. Those positions are very limited and are prestigious/exclusive. I'm pretty sure even Yale kids would have a tough time breaking into those fields, let alone someone from Georgetown/Ohio State.

Sorry but these are both very bad options considering your career goals. What is your GPA/LSAT? Are there more reasonable career goals that you have just as a backup?

[hairbear7]

You need to dedicate your life to retaking the LSAT and crushing it on your third attempt. Search around this site and you'll see a plethora of success stories. That is an amazing GPA that could open up a world of possibilities, don't squander it!

[Law2511]

I would not go to law school with the expectation that you are going to end up doing "Constitutional" or civil rights law. Those positions are very limited and are prestigious/exclusive. I'm pretty sure even Yale kids would have a tough time breaking into those fields, let alone someone from Georgetown/Ohio State.

Sorry but these are both very bad options considering your career goals. What is your GPA/LSAT? Are there more reasonable career goals that you have just as a backup?

Public interest is my back up. My current experience is actually in state and local government administration (also something of interest) LSAT (low) 156 and GPA 3.9.

[Law2511]

You need to dedicate your life to retaking the LSAT and crushing it on your third attempt. Search around this site and you'll see a plethora of success stories. That is an amazing GPA that could open up a world of possibilities, don't squander it!

I have certainly been considering it. Thanks for the advice!

[Lawdog5]

It seems like some of your information is a bit contradictory. You say you are interested in Constitutional law and Civil Rights, but those aren't areas that pay well. Does that mean you anticipate paying off GULC with loan forgiveness? And where do you want to live? OSU is good in Ohio, but if you don't want to live in Ohio, then GULC can help you land elsewhere.

Also 156 seems a bit low for realistically getting in to GULC. This all seems a bit premature until you actually get accepted.

[Nachoo2019]

Oh my dear god please retake. I would do terrible and unspeakable things for that GPA. You don't even have to do amazing but a 160+ will get you close to a full ride at Ohio and if you manage a couple more points GULC with $$ is in your reach.

[Law2511]

It seems like some of your information is a bit contradictory. You say you are interested in Constitutional law and Civil Rights, but those aren't areas that pay well. Does that mean you anticipate paying off GULC with loan forgiveness? And where do you want to live? OSU is good in Ohio, but if you don't want to live in Ohio, then GULC can help you land elsewhere.

Also 156 seems a bit low for realistically getting in to GULC. This all seems a bit premature until you actually get accepted.

GULC's debt forgiveness program is attractive. My interests are constitutional law, civil rights, and public interest.

Placement is a factor that makes it a difficult decision. I am from Ohio and I am decently established here. However, I am not opposed to moving and seeking better opportunities, which Gtown undoubtedly offers.

It is certainly premature. I am on the preferred wait list, so I realize that is far from acceptance. I would just rather have this convo now, opposed to mid summer (if I get in)

[raven1231]

Op what are your stats? I'm curious as I was offered scholarship at OSU that would have had me paying 28k tuition total over all three years ($9,500k a year), I turned it down. I was very interested in Georgetown but didn't apply because I figured my stats weren't good enough. If you could PM them I would be very curious to see how they compare to mine. Perhaps I should have applied to Georgetown after all. Where in Ohio do you live? I'm from Cincinnati?

My stats are nowhere near impressive. 156, 3.9

I am from Canton.

Thanks! And good luck OP! I have a 162 LSAT and 3.5GPA, so you GPA is substantially better. I agree that with that GPA a retake would be best, but OSU is definitely strong here, that's just a good amount of debt to take on. FWIW DOJ jobs look more at your GPA in school then where you attended. Of course since they are hard to get, going to the best school possible is very smart to do.

-I'm a 0L

[Law2511]

Op what are your stats? I'm curious as I was offered scholarship at OSU that would have had me paying 28k tuition total over all three years ($9,500k a year), I turned it down. I was very interested in Georgetown but didn't apply because I figured my stats weren't good enough. If you could PM them I would be very curious to see how they compare to mine. Perhaps I should have applied to Georgetown after all. Where in Ohio do you live? I'm from Cincinnati?

My stats are nowhere near impressive. 156, 3.9

I am from Canton.

Thanks! And good luck OP! I have a 162 LSAT and 3.5GPA, so you GPA is substantially better. I agree that with that GPA a retake would be best, but OSU is definitely strong here, that's just a good amount of debt to take on. FWIW DOJ jobs look more at your GPA in school then where you attended. Of course since they are hard to get, going to the best school possible is very smart to do.

-I'm a 0L

I think you could have definitely applied to Gtown. It is a numbers game, but you can certainly highlight other parts of your app. I did decently well for a low LSAT.

[raven1231]

Op what are your stats? I'm curious as I was offered scholarship at OSU that would have had me paying 28k tuition total over all three years ($9,500k a year), I turned it down. I was very interested in Georgetown but didn't apply because I figured my stats weren't good enough. If you could PM them I would be very curious to see how they compare to mine. Perhaps I should have applied to Georgetown after all. Where in Ohio do you live? I'm from Cincinnati?

My stats are nowhere near impressive. 156, 3.9

I am from Canton.

Thanks! And good luck OP! I have a 162 LSAT and 3.5GPA, so you GPA is substantially better. I agree that with that GPA a retake would be best, but OSU is definitely strong here, that's just a good amount of debt to take on. FWIW DOJ jobs look more at your GPA in school then where you attended. Of course since they are hard to get, going to the best school possible is very smart to do.

-I'm a 0L

I think you could have definitely applied to Gtown. It is a numbers game, but you can certainly highlight other parts of your app. I did decently well for a low LSAT.

Yeah I didn't apply to any T-14s and regret it now,. I wish I would have, just to see what would have happened. I have a good reason for the 3.5 too (had a few severe flares throughout my freshmen and sophomore years, and had to undergo surgery which had me failing out two semesters completely. I have Crohn;s disease) After surgery I got straight A's for half my sophomore,and entire junior and senior years, same through my Master's. I also have pretty good work experience(I worked as a store manager putting in 45+ hours a week throughout my undergrad and Masters.)

[Law2511]

Op what are your stats? I'm curious as I was offered scholarship at OSU that would have had me paying 28k tuition total over all three years ($9,500k a year), I turned it down. I was very interested in Georgetown but didn't apply because I figured my stats weren't good enough. If you could PM them I would be very curious to see how they compare to mine. Perhaps I should have applied to Georgetown after all. Where in Ohio do you live? I'm from Cincinnati?

My stats are nowhere near impressive. 156, 3.9

I am from Canton.

Thanks! And good luck OP! I have a 162 LSAT and 3.5GPA, so you GPA is substantially better. I agree that with that GPA a retake would be best, but OSU is definitely strong here, that's just a good amount of debt to take on. FWIW DOJ jobs look more at your GPA in school then where you attended. Of course since they are hard to get, going to the best school possible is very smart to do.

-I'm a 0L

I think you could have definitely applied to Gtown. It is a numbers game, but you can certainly highlight other parts of your app. I did decently well for a low LSAT.

Yeah I didn't apply to any T-14s and regret it now,. I wish I would have, just to see what would have happened. I have a good reason for the 3.5 too (had a few severe flares throughout my freshmen and sophomore years, and had to undergo surgery which had me failing out two semesters completely. I have Crohn;s disease) After surgery I got straight A's for half my sophomore,and entire junior and senior years, same through my Master's. I also have pretty good work experience(I worked as a store manager putting in 45+ hours a week throughout my undergrad and Masters.)

Definitely worth applying and attaching an addendum. I think you obviously have a great reason for a lower GPA, and TBH, a 3.5 is not bad.

[raven1231]

Op what are your stats? I'm curious as I was offered scholarship at OSU that would have had me paying 28k tuition total over all three years ($9,500k a year), I turned it down. I was very interested in Georgetown but didn't apply because I figured my stats weren't good enough. If you could PM them I would be very curious to see how they compare to mine. Perhaps I should have applied to Georgetown after all. Where in Ohio do you live? I'm from Cincinnati?

My stats are nowhere near impressive. 156, 3.9

I am from Canton.

Thanks! And good luck OP! I have a 162 LSAT and 3.5GPA, so you GPA is substantially better. I agree that with that GPA a retake would be best, but OSU is definitely strong here, that's just a good amount of debt to take on. FWIW DOJ jobs look more at your GPA in school then where you attended. Of course since they are hard to get, going to the best school possible is very smart to do.

-I'm a 0L

I think you could have definitely applied to Gtown. It is a numbers game, but you can certainly highlight other parts of your app. I did decently well for a low LSAT.

Yeah I didn't apply to any T-14s and regret it now,. I wish I would have, just to see what would have happened. I have a good reason for the 3.5 too (had a few severe flares throughout my freshmen and sophomore years, and had to undergo surgery which had me failing out two semesters completely. I have Crohn;s disease) After surgery I got straight A's for half my sophomore,and entire junior and senior years, same through my Master's. I also have pretty good work experience(I worked as a store manager putting in 45+ hours a week throughout my undergrad and Masters.)

Definitely worth applying and attaching an addendum. I think you obviously have a great reason for a lower GPA, and TBH, a 3.5 is not bad.

Yeah, I'm thinking about sitting out a year and reapplying and perhaps retaking the LSAT too. Sorry to hijack your thread though ha ha.

[lymenheimer]

Yeah, I'm thinking about sitting out a year and reapplying and perhaps retaking the LSAT too. Sorry to hijack your thread though ha ha.

You should definitely do this. Changed my life.