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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is OP and this is exactly my question. ^ let's say my DS gets into UVA Law at $65+K tuition and also GMU or W&M at a much lower in state rate, what is the best move?[/quote]

The best school they can get into and let the forgiveness plans sort out the debt. My “do gooder” friends are paying a tiny student loan payment a month and are about to have it all forgiven now that we are almost 10 years out. [/quote]

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If he does not have interest in BigLaw or clerkships I would argue that GMU would be the way to go.  It is well respected in the DC area and it is significantly less debt.  If he wants to do environmental law I would suggest he find a job in an area he is interested in in the DC area, live in VA for the in state tuition and go to GMU part time.  Also, if it turns out that he is a legal superstar and wants all those things, he can transfer to UVA his second year.  I transferred from a lessor school (much lessor than either GMU or W&M) to a T14.  I was a superstar at my lessor school and only received one grade below an A at my T14 law school, graduating with honors there.  [/quote]

I think you’re wildly underestimating how snobby “good guy” enviro law employers are. You really have to have it all: great grades, great school, great work experience. [/quote]

The cost of attendance at UVA law is $92K/year.  If there is no merit and all is borrowed, that is closing in on $300k in debt.  This grad is now locked into either a loan forgiveness path, biglaw, or a life of student debt.  I think students should go into to eyes wide open.  I admittedly am not an environmental law expert and the  est path for this student is to talk to some before going down this debt path and best case scenario work in the area before law school.  I also don’t know that this student will be admitted to UVA, receive merit aid or ultimately excel at law.  I  also am not conservative so GMU would not be my selection without other factors but I think you need to weigh all factors including cost and location for the opportunities that location may provide.  I know multiple GMU law grads (and a current student in the part time program).  They are strong attorneys.  Agree completely T14 is the path to certain kinds of legal success.

My kids are in high school.  I would absolutely encourage them to go to the best law school possible and I would look to help them pay for it.  I would not encourage them to take on mortgage level debt without exploring all options.[/quote]

The redeeming part of a T14 is that you can pretty much pay off your loans with 3 years in BigLaw.   That's a pretty short stint, even if you hate it, and at the end you have a very good resume with lots of options.

If you go the other route with $200k in debt, there's a chance that you'll only get a $60k per year job (or no job) and that debt will follow you for 20 years.[/quote]

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