Choosing between GW and GMU with $$ Forum

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Young_Dumb_n_Broke

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Choosing between GW and GMU with $$

Post by Young_Dumb_n_Broke » Sun Feb 04, 2018 9:49 pm

I apologize for any mistakes made in this post. I'm new to this.

This is my first application cycle and first time taking the LSAT. I applied to all the D.C. schools (and Maryland) with a 3.78 and 160 (still disappointed in myself). I've been accepted everywhere except Georgetown--waitlisted (not preferred.)

Considering ranking and offers, I've narrowed down my top two to GMU and GW (assuming I'll never make it off of the dreaded waitlist at Georgetown.)

GMU offered me a very generous scholarship (3/4 tution) bringing COA down to ~$33k as I'm out of state.
GW offered me the $16k to avoid merit consideration so their COA is ~$54k.

I'll have to finance nearly all of law school through loans. Given the dreaded loan game, I'm inclined to choose GMU. However, I'm curious to see if there's a chance to negotiate for better offers even with my less-than-stellar numbers.

Two questions.
1) How might a newbie like myself stumble through the negotiation process?
2) Assuming there is little to no movement on offers, am I right to believe that GW's COA through loans would be prohibitively expensive and GMU makes more financial sense?

sifn32

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Re: Choosing between GW and GMU with $$

Post by sifn32 » Mon Feb 05, 2018 1:15 am

Is that COA figure per year or in total?

Young_Dumb_n_Broke

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Re: Choosing between GW and GMU with $$

Post by Young_Dumb_n_Broke » Mon Feb 05, 2018 1:41 pm

sifn32 wrote:Is that COA figure per year or in total?
Per year, I’m sure I can live cheaper than their estimates but wanted to provide figures from the schools themselves.

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deadpanic

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Re: Choosing between GW and GMU with $$

Post by deadpanic » Mon Feb 05, 2018 1:44 pm

Young_Dumb_n_Broke wrote:
sifn32 wrote:Is that COA figure per year or in total?
Per year, I’m sure I can live cheaper than their estimates but wanted to provide figures from the schools themselves.
Neither school is worth that kind of money. 6 figures for GMU or GW is crazy.

You have a relatively high GPA, you should retake the LSAT.

Also, what are your goals and where do you want to work?

Young_Dumb_n_Broke

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Re: Choosing between GW and GMU with $$

Post by Young_Dumb_n_Broke » Mon Feb 05, 2018 2:07 pm

deadpanic wrote:
Young_Dumb_n_Broke wrote:
sifn32 wrote:Is that COA figure per year or in total?
Per year, I’m sure I can live cheaper than their estimates but wanted to provide figures from the schools themselves.
Neither school is worth that kind of money. 6 figures for GMU or GW is crazy.

You have a relatively high GPA, you should retake the LSAT.

Also, what are your goals and where do you want to work?
In your opinion, how much more would I need to knock off the price tags to make either school worth it this cycle?

And right now I’m leaning more toward public interest but at least would like the option of Big Law if I can perform well enough in law school.

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Eleven

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Re: Choosing between GW and GMU with $$

Post by Eleven » Mon Feb 05, 2018 2:31 pm

If you are in fact leaning toward public interest, your total debt at either of these schools better be less than 30k (TOTAL for all 3 years) for GMU, and 50k TOTAL for GW.

The best possible advice you will get is to spend the next several months studying for the LSAT, and retake again in June/July, and/or even in Sept and reapply next cycle.

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