William & Mary JDP or UPenn?

College Search & Selection
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Hello!

Came down to final two options: UPenn and College of William & Mary. Really am blessed to have these two incredible options. Career aspirations: hope to go to law school (aiming for top 14), so finances considered.

UPENN
PROS:
-Ivy league “brand”.
-potentially stronger alumni connections than William and Mary.
-Philadelphia area so access to many internships, orgs, etc.
-Was invited to apply to Civic Scholars program (select group of 15 students each year chosen to participate in community service activities, internships, seminar, etc.). Could potentially look good on resume for law school and general service experience.
-doesn’t really seem like an opportunity to give up.

CONS
-full price, so debt very likely for law school.
-highly competitive: “ivy league” stress.
-harder to connect with professors than w&m? might mean harder to make connections for recommendations, research, etc. for law school/academic support.

William & Mary
PROS
-considerably cheaper than Penn (20-35K cheaper - less debt for law school).
-got into Monroe Scholars program (top 10% of undergrads) - $3000 stipend for research. Good for connection with professor/academic achievement, and to investigate areas of interest (for me, politics).
-got into their dual degree program with the University of St Andrews (one of best UK schools) in Scotland in international relations - only 30 students are chosen each year. 2 years in Williamsburg, two years in St Andrews. Great academic/personal experience, academic experience for law school unique.
-smaller town than Philly - something I liked when visiting.
-i swear, like almost every student walking around waved and welcomed us to campus when I visited few weeks back. Students seem really, really nice.

CONS
-also very rigorous.
-small town in winter seems kinda lonely.
-two years in one campus, then two years in another - perhaps could complicate social experience/ability to get into leadership positions.

If anyone has any insight/advice would really appreciate. Thanks!

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Why 20-35K less. That’s a wide range.

I think the bigger question - and you list as a pro and con is the dual degree - that’s such a specific program that you have to “want” to do it. If you want to do it, it’s an awesome opportunity and yes, you’ll leave W&M after two short years, but you’ll also have an experience of a lifetime and make connections otherwise.

Beyond that, it’s two great and expensive schools but great schools. Any “cheaper” options since money seems to be a focus? The Monroe is for research, not you, btw - so it’s not really money in the pocket.

I think you had reason to apply for the Intl Program - so if so, that’s awesome. yes, the Ivy brand is great but you have an opportunity to experience a cross cultural education few of us do.

You won’t go wrong either way. You didn’t say your major but I’ll assume based on your interest - it’s Poli Sci.

Good luck.

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It’s great that you are thinking about the big picture and paying for 7 years of college (Undergrad and Law school) Is W&M 25K cheaper per year? or over 4 years? What state are you in?

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The 2 years in another country sounds exciting plus more affordable, apply to UPenn for law school.

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I would say: if you decide to switch off the law school path, Penn would offer opportunities that would be tougher to get at W&M. For law school, saving money is important and that experience at St. A’s seems neat.

But why law? A lot of lawyers hate their job/life.

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