I’d worry less about where he is going to live and more about taking on a $300,000 debt.

Planning is great, but he sounds like a kid who is overly fixated on figuring out his life many years in advance. That’s not necessary in this case, and actually can spin into anxiety and analysis paralysis.

To put it bluntly, my advice is to slow down and focus on one step at a time. Here’s what that looks like:

(1) Apply this fall to Georgetown, GW, and other schools that interest him, too. Put his best foot forward and use all the resources his college provides, including the pre-law advisor etc.

(2) Find out in the spring where he is accepted. Hopefully that includes GW and Georgetown, if those are still his top choices. (But if he does not get into either school, this entire issue of living at home while going to law school in 2026 is moot.)

(3) Consider the pros and cons each school that accepted him, including cost. If Georgetown or GW are options, break down costs into two options: living at home vs. living independently.

(4) If Georgetown or GW are still in the mix, THIS is the time to learn more about whether he would be happier and better-served living at home vs. living independently.

So … here’s what he should do now:

Put a note in his planner to reconsider this question in March or April 2026, when it will be “ripe.”

“Parking” future issues where they belong is an excellent life skill that will serve him well as a lawyer and in life, more generally.

There is no need to “borrow problems from the future.” That is a distraction from more pressing and present decisions, and often a feeder for rumination and anxiety. Best to learn that now, as an undergrad, before diving into law school 15 months from now.

Good luck to him with his senior year in college and the law school admissions process!

Anonymous wrote:

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

He will take loans.

This is the bigger issue. Expect tuition to increase about 5% per year. Loan principle will be about $300,000 after 3 years. Not sure, but I believe that interest will accrue from the time one receives loan money so he will graduate with student loan debt exceeding $300,000 in interest & principle for law school student loans assuming that he will live rent & utility bill free for all 3 years. This debt will continue to grow as interest continues to accrue on any unpaid balance. If your son graduates into a weak market for employment in the legal field, then the indebtedness will become the primary focus of your son's life possibly resulting in foregoing marriage, having kids, buying a home all while becoming a long-term tenant in your basement. Some highly indebted young attorneys engage in thoughts of self-harm due to the overwhelming financial stress.

To answer your question, live at home all 3 years if the law student can study at home without interruption. Many law students like to study in the law school library after, before, and between classes.

Another poster inquired about your son's LSAT score; this is a reasonable question as well as his undergraduate cumulative GPA. A law school applicant's LSAT score and undergraduate GPA are the primary factors used by law schools to award merit scholarship money.

The fact that your son is focused on attending one of just two law schools--Georgetown or GWU--suggests that he would be comfortable living at home in the basement apartment.

Has he taken the LSAT and, if yes, then what is his score ? Undergraduate cumulative GPA ? These stats will generate further, more meaningful discussion of how your son should approach law school. Many prospective law students take one or two years between undergraduate school and entering law school in order to do 2 things: get post undergraduate work experience and to improve his or her LSAT score.

Exiting law school with anywhere near $300,000 of student loan indebtedness is like placing a noose around one's neck and a ball and chain around one's ankles. Such student loan indebtedness is unreasonable and only marginally justifiable if one attends a top 6 or 7 law school (Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Chicago, or NYU). However, if a law school applicant's numbers (LSAT score & undergraduate GPA) are high enough to get an offer of admission to a top 6 law school, then that applicant should be able to generate significant scholarship grant money from several lower ranked top 14 law schools and full tuition & fees scholarships to several non-top 14 ranked law schools.

Does your son have an interest in practicing in a particular area of law such a as tax, intellectual property/patent law, environmental, criminal, securities, corporate, etc. ? The answer to this question may lead to suggestions regarding law schools and law school financials.

What is your son's undergraduate major area of study ?

Why law school versus earning an MBA degree ?

My best advice to your son based on the scant information shared in this thread is do not enroll in law school without a substantial merit scholarship award and keep costs down by living at home if attending a nearby law school such as Georgetown or GWU.

PP, have you been to campus? GULC is by Union station (not in Georgetown) and GW is city.

On campus and help pay. If you can afford that size house, you can afford to help more.

Gewirtz is a pressure cooker, esp during exam time. It’s essentially all 1Ls who’ve just come from undergrad. Someone is always studying more and working harder and it’s difficult not to let that get to you. Find a rental on the red line (DuPont, Woolley pr Cleveland park) and allow some separation btw law school and real life.

All good input. Thank you!

It wasn't law school, but I moved home for my senior year of college and it was awesome. I loved having access to a washer/dryer and a full refrigerator without having to go to the store. It definitely takes the right kind of parents, though. They didn't expect me to "manage the gardener," fwiw. I did go to law school, and I think it would have been fine for that, as well. Especially if he's taking out loans, I can't imagine financing the extra cost of an apartment in DC would be worth it.

Anonymous wrote: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.

You're oddly obsessed with home maintenance.

Agree with the advice for him to work for a few years first as a paralegal. It will help with admissions/performance in law school, paying for law school, and most importantly, help him determine whether he actually likes the job of lawyering before he spends $300,000 on law school.

Anonymous wrote:LSAT score?

Ha ha you’re a weirdo

Anonymous wrote:

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?

No. I didn’t need the extra worries. I’m no martyr.

I passed the bar and settled on a condo in the same week.

Your student may feel less pressure and perform better with less of a loan burden hanging over their head. They may also feel more free to explore options other than biglaw, which may make them happier. I would vote for living in the nice private quarters at home.

You seem like a rather attuned parent from how you presented here and I think you would have a strong chance for it working out.

Come back here for more thoughts on how to peacefully coexist with a 1L if he moves in.

Private law school is expensive. Loans are a lot. Not everyone can or wants to break into biglaw, so starting salaries vary. Save money and live at home. Only move out if that doesn’t work out well for anyone involved.

I went to GULC a while back and a good friend lived in Reston with his parents and commuted. He loved it. I already had a partner and lived my first year in an apartment in rosslyn and took the metro. That was a pretty normal thing to do. My best friend lived in a basement apartment on Capitol Hill all three years. At that time, not that many people lived in Gewirtz (maybe there is more housing now?). It was mostly ppl who went straight from college to law school without working at all between and felt more comfy with the dorm scene. Either can work well. Keep the commute and parking or metro access in mind. They had a shuttle to/from Union station to school that I would take after 5 pm (at the time the neighborhood got a little spicy around then, regardless of season) or when it rained.