Georgetown Law School housing vs living at home

[Anonymous]

DS is applying to Georgetown Law and George Washington Law with hope of entry in Fall 2026. Stats well above the median from a great college, but who knows if he'll get in but he is a planner.

He asked advice about housing. I'm too biased on this, so thought I'd ask you!

He knows he can live at home to save money, because we're not footing the bill for law school. We are happy to provide room/board. It wouldn't be going back to his childhood bedroom. He'd have our basement floor (actually has windows around 2 sides since we're on a hill) with separate entrance, a big bedroom, bathroom, media room, living room. So privacy and comfort.

1. Should he live at home all 3 years and save money, except for the cost of a monthly parking pass (which we'll probably spring for) at a facility near campus to lessen his commute. It's a 24 minute commute from our house. We'll be retired and traveling a fair amount. So, we'd be into this as the house would be cared for and we'd see him more.

2. Should he live at home only during the first year? Then as he gets older and maybe wants more separation, he moves out?

3. Should he live in the campus dorm during the first year so that he has community with fellow aspiring lawyers, proximity to the library, etc? Then take advantage of our home to save money in his second and third years?

He wants advice thinking it through. How would you advise your rising college senior on this? Thank you for any feedback!

[Anonymous]

At his age, he should decide.

[Anonymous]

If you're not paying for law school, who is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At his age, he should decide.

No kidding. Did you read the part about him asking for advice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're not paying for law school, who is?

He will take loans.

[Anonymous]

Hi, I actually faced the exact same decision.

What metro are you near?

Parking is a pain at Georgetown law school. You have to get there really early in the morning to get a spot and even then it’s not guaranteed.

For his first year, I would probably try to live in the dorms or in one of the apartments within walking distance. He can always leave some stuff at home and come home sometimes too if he wants more space. First year grades are important and I think it will be helpful for him to get the community of living nearby as well as not having to spend that extra hour commuting.

Second year, consider living at home unless he really wants to keep living on his own.

Third year, I would see if he gets a good Summer associate position. If he does, and he wants to live on his own, he’ll be making a lot of money when he graduates so the extra money in rent may be worth it. If he doesn’t, and he winds up and for the government or something, then, I would recommend he save money third year by living at home.

One thing I would look into however is what’s going on with the construction over the 395 tunnel? Is that done yet? You definitely don’t want to be facing that in the dorm if it’s not. As of 10 years ago, that was pretty loud.

I did live at home here and there in law school and honestly, I didn’t really like it because I felt like my mother did not understand that I needed to be spending most of my time studying and did not have time to do stuff like help her clean out the attic. Since you are out of town, I bet you will want him to do stuff like call the plumber and stuff like that. You need to understand that he can’t skip class and he needs to spend a lot of time studying and it’s sitting around waiting for the Roto-Rooter guy is not a good idea. I definitely preferred living on my own during all school and for me the money spent was worth it.

[Anonymous]

LSAT score?

[Anonymous]

I just responded, but I also just saw your question too. No, that is not the correct way to think about this. First year grades are the most important and that’s the most important year to live off campus. I also did not realize he was coming straight from college. That’s an even better reason for him not to live at home.

As an aside, I don’t think it’s a great idea to go straight from college to law school. I think it’s better to work for a couple of years first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, I actually faced the exact same decision.

What metro are you near?

Parking is a pain at Georgetown law school. You have to get there really early in the morning to get a spot and even then it’s not guaranteed.

For his first year, I would probably try to live in the dorms or in one of the apartments within walking distance. He can always leave some stuff at home and come home sometimes too if he wants more space. First year grades are important and I think it will be helpful for him to get the community of living nearby as well as not having to spend that extra hour commuting.

Second year, consider living at home unless he really wants to keep living on his own.

Third year, I would see if he gets a good Summer associate position. If he does, and he wants to live on his own, he’ll be making a lot of money when he graduates so the extra money in rent may be worth it. If he doesn’t, and he winds up and for the government or something, then, I would recommend he save money third year by living at home.

One thing I would look into however is what’s going on with the construction over the 395 tunnel? Is that done yet? You definitely don’t want to be facing that in the dorm if it’s not. As of 10 years ago, that was pretty loud.

I did live at home here and there in law school and honestly, I didn’t really like it because I felt like my mother did not understand that I needed to be spending most of my time studying and did not have time to do stuff like help her clean out the attic. Since you are out of town, I bet you will want him to do stuff like call the plumber and stuff like that. You need to understand that he can’t skip class and he needs to spend a lot of time studying and it’s sitting around waiting for the Roto-Rooter guy is not a good idea. I definitely preferred living on my own during all school and for me the money spent was worth it.

I'm OP. I really appreciate this response. It sounds like a good plan -- and a good reminder to us that we'd basically need to pretend that he's not living at home. With regard to parking, we'd buy a monthly pass for him as a college graduation present probably, so I think that part is a non-issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just responded, but I also just saw your question too. No, that is not the correct way to think about this. First year grades are the most important and that’s the most important year to live off campus. I also did not realize he was coming straight from college. That’s an even better reason for him not to live at home.

As an aside, I don’t think it’s a great idea to go straight from college to law school. I think it’s better to work for a couple of years first.

Sorry, confused by this reply. You say that first year is the most important to live off campus (that is, at home?). But the next two sentences make it sound like he shouldn't live at home.

[Anonymous]

1L is the most challenging year and those grades are the only ones which will count towards summer associate recruiting. As such he should live near campus where he can focus on school and not managing the gardener whilst you are enjoying your well-earned retirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're not paying for law school, who is?

He will take loans.

Is t it like $300k for law school at Georgetown?!!! He’s taking $300k in loans?

[Anonymous]

When I worked full time on the Hill and went to a DC law school at night, you’re darn right I lived in my parents’ home.

I realize that is not the situation of OP’s child, but still - first year is tough. No need to add difficult living conditions to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're not paying for law school, who is?

He will take loans.

Is t it like $300k for law school at Georgetown?!!! He’s taking $300k in loans?

Don't most law students whose parents earn "too much" money take loans? OP here. We earn too much for him to get financial aid, but after spending almost $400K on college and another fortune on private schools, this is the deal. We still have one more kid whose college we have to pay for, and can't get into grad school support for either of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I worked full time on the Hill and went to a DC law school at night, you’re darn right I lived in my parents’ home.

I realize that is not the situation of OP’s child, but still - first year is tough. No need to add difficult living conditions to it.

Ah! A vote for living at home that first year? Would it have been easier on you to live on campus if money hadn't been a factor?