Turning down WashU for GW? Am I crazy?
Literally got the call that I thought would never come from WashU a few days ago and I’ve been SICK over it. I thought I would be so overjoyed and excited for the offer and all I’ve felt is anxiety over what to do :(
Relevant info:
-Same $$ offer from both
- Career Goals: Health Policy (national + global)/hyper-niche health topic work (think like UN council work, CDC,WHO, etc)
-Dual enrollment candidate for graduate degree (admitted to both schools’ programs + #1 program in country [which is located on east coast])
I love WashU. They were one of my top picks for law schools since I started this journey. They have the programs I want and everyone I’ve talked to has been SO nice. It’s higher ranked than GW, seems like a cool environment (I have not visited), and the cost of living in St. Louis is reasonable.
BUT
I’ve waited so long for this that I’ve kinda fallen in love with the concept of going to GW. I’ve visited and liked the campus, I’ve met with professors already, have an apartment lined up and paid all my seat deposits.
I am also worried about being so far away from DC for my career goals. WashU is an amazing school and I think if I was interested in biglaw this would be a no brainer. However, I want to work in public policy and that tends to happen in DC. If I attend WashU, will I be able to get the same externships, relationships, and opportunities that can put me in the rooms I want to be in? I know higher ranked schools have networks of alumni and resources but I worry about having to compete for summer positions with those already in person in DC during the school year while I’m in St. Louis.
I know prestige is big in the law world and I don’t want to stupidly close the door on an opportunity to have more “weight” behind my degree.
TLDR; Am I crazy for thinking of choosing in person connections (GW) over just prestige(WashU)?