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NC Schools not name Duke, Wake, or UNC
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:58 pm
by NClaw4
Feels a little bit out of place under the Harvard thread, but if you had to choose between these three with a job waiting on you after passing the bar what would it be?
NCCU:
Pros-5k a year
cons-its in Durham...
Campbell:
Pros: best name recognition(in the state) outside of the big 3.
Just moved to Raleigh show it should climb in the ranking
Highest bar passage rate
cons:
$
Elon(with $$):
Pros: in downtown Gboro (NC business court, large firms)
High Ceiling, seems like it could move up fast.
Prestigious Advisors
Associated with a respectable UG School
cons:
New, not fully accredited
No alumni network
Re: NC Schools not name Duke, Wake, or UNC
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:06 pm
by dispatch
If you have a job waiting for you, this is no contest. Go to NCCU. No reason to incur 100k+ debt at the other two schools. In fact, even if you didn't have a job waiting for you, I'd vote for NCCU. Campbell and Elon are not worth their ridiculously high tuitions.
Re: NC Schools not name Duke, Wake, or UNC
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:11 pm
by NClaw4
I could get out of Elon owing less than 90k. My initial reaction was NCCU, but I'm afraid it wouldn't be the best experience.
Like 75% of the firm I work at went to Campbell, but to be honest, I like the other 2 over it.
Re: NC Schools not name Duke, Wake, or UNC
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:21 pm
by Dr. Review
Campbell has something like 20% 1L attrition. Talk about scary.
Re: NC Schools not name Duke, Wake, or UNC
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:30 pm
by NCtoVAtoNC
NCCU would be the safest bet. Less debt. Stronger alumni network. I would say the location in Durham is not a con either. As I'm sure you're aware, Durham has been focusing on revitalizing the downtown area and there are only a few parts of the city that I would advise against visiting. As someone who lived in Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Durham, there was little difference for me b/t the three since they are also so close to each other.
I visited Campbell and, while the location in Raleigh is nice, I was not too impressed with the other aspects of the school. They also have a working N.C. business court (like Elon), but tuition is really high and, at least for me, the student body was not particularly diverse. Also, as someone who is fairly secular, the christian influence was very noticable (but that is just my personal con for the school). My wife and I also noted several instances in which students went out of their way to mention how they felt their education provided better practical skills than Carolina or WF. It is fine to have an opinion, but the perception was that there was a bit of a chip on their shoulders. Finally, if I recall correctly, even if you finish your first year #1, you only receive 75% tuition scholarship for 2L.
Campbell does have a strong alumni network as well plus high bar passage rate, so those would be the pros.
I also visited Elon and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt that the faculty was very friendly as was Sharon Gaskin. The board members are also notable (David Gergen is one example). Yes, it only has provisional accreditation, but as you said, the UG school is respectable and the law school itself seems to be on an upward trajectory. My wife went to Elon for her undergrad and had a great experience. I do like Durham better than Greensboro, however.
So, I would say NCCU first, Elon second, then Campbell, but it really depends on what factors are going to matter to you. I am deciding b/t NCCU and Elon, although I was admitted to Campbell. Elon offered some scholarship money, so that was a plus for me. I think, if you are not looking at big law and want to practice locally, either of the three would be a fine choice.
Re: NC Schools not name Duke, Wake, or UNC
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:51 pm
by john titor
no contest. nccu. if you are considering schools this low on the totem pole, go to the least expensive school. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MISS OUT ON ANY JOBS when the interviewer sees that you went to NCCU as opposed to elon or campbell. I practice in NC and this has been my experience.