CLS (85K) vs. NYU (62.5K) vs. Duke (67.5K) Forum

[RDJ2016]

I just got my financial aid award from CLS, so I'm going to edit this post to reflect that. I've been offered 85K at CLS, 62.5/75K at NYU (depending if I work in PI for my 2L summer) and 67.5K at Duke. As of now, my career goal is DC biglaw or bigfed, and I'm also interested in clerkships. Which of these schools would give me the best chance at breaking into the DC market and pursuing these goals? CLS seems very NYC biglaw focused, but it also appears that the resources are there for students who want to pursue different career paths. Is this observation correct? Or should I try to use my CLS offer as leverage to get another school that seems to be more focused on public service (NYU) or more DC-oriented (Duke) to increase its award?

I know that each of these schools offers a semester-long DC externship and would also appreciate any information about these programs. I've been wondering how difficult is it to participate in the externship, whether there is a lot of competition for spots, how much freedom students have in choosing their placement site, etc.

Another note - I'm currently very interested in learning more about national security law and hope to attend a school that offers a few classes in this subject area. All the schools I've listed above do, but it's hard for me to compare the strengths of their respective programs. Obviously this is not going to make or break my decision, it's just something I've thought about.

[sinfiery]

Posted COA difference is 2k different between duke and NYU. I'm sure its easier to live under that number at Duke but still, not a significant difference.


I'd take NYU unless someone can speak to Dukes advantage within DC

As for CLS, not in play imo without some money.

[ket310]

Posted COA difference is 2k different between duke and NYU. I'm sure its easier to live under that number at Duke but still, not a significant difference.


I'd take NYU unless someone can speak to Dukes advantage within DC

As for CLS, not in play imo without some money.

I agree. NYU and Columbia are not that much different in employment stats. Like you said, if you get any significant scholarship from other schools, go for it. If not, NYU.

[smaug_]

I'd wait and follow the money. (Though I'd probably take NYU over Duke if Duke doesn't up its offer.)

[izy223]

I
Another note - I'm currently very interested in learning more about national security law and hope to attend a school that offers a few classes in this subject area. CLS, NYU and Duke all do, but it's hard for me to compare the strengths of their respective programs. Obviously this is not going to make or break my decision, it's just something I've thought about.

Cant speak towards CLS or Duke but my professor at NYU literally ran NYC couter terrorism post 9-11 and is currently working on writing something for national security law (if you PM ill send you the email). I believe he also teaches a few seminars on it with a few other professors. Dont know if that gives NYU a leg up in national security law BUT I know we have at least one professor with real life experience.


ETA hes also like 40 and super accomplished and an awesome prof

[dixiecupdrinking]

Yeah, NYU has some good national security stuff going on.

If CLS gets up to $50k or more then you've got a bit of a dilemma, otherwise NYU in a landslide.

[Renne Walker]

Yeah, NYU has some good national security stuff going on.

If CLS gets up to $50k $60K or more then you've got a bit of a dilemma, it is a tie, otherwise NYU in a landslide.

+1

[PRgradBYU]

Yeah, NYU has some good national security stuff going on.

If CLS gets up to $50k or more then you've got a bit of a dilemma, otherwise NYU in a landslide.

[RhymesLikeDimes]

I don't know how much better CLS is than NYU, but it's definitely not $62K better.

[jbagelboy]

interesting. I got only 45K (37.5K w/ $$ SA) @ NYU, but 81K @ Duke.

Trade?

[RDJ2016]

GULC has offered me 97.5K, so now I am weighing GULC against NYU (and still waiting to hear about $$ from CLS). How are my chances at DC biglaw or bigfed coming from GULC as compared to NYU? It's hard for me to tell whether GULC would have the advantage due to location or whether NYU grads would have an easier time since competition with classmates for DC jobs is probably much less intense. Any input is appreciated. I was leaning towards NYU, but should an extra $35K at Georgetown change my decision?

[J90]

NYU is easily worth $35,000 more than GULC in terms of long-term employment (in my mind), despite Georgetown's location. As far as actually being a straight $35,000 difference though, I don't know. What's the total cost of attendance at each school?

[hephaestus]

GULC has offered me 97.5K, so now I am weighing GULC against NYU (and still waiting to hear about $$ from CLS). How are my chances at DC biglaw or bigfed coming from GULC as compared to NYU? It's hard for me to tell whether GULC would have the advantage due to location or whether NYU grads would have an easier time since competition with classmates for DC jobs is probably much less intense. Any input is appreciated. I was leaning towards NYU, but should an extra $35K at Georgetown change my decision?

I think you will have better prospects from NYU. I have to imagine that any statistical differences are purely self-selection. Many people choose GULC for DC, many choose NYU for NYC. 35k is not enough. Go to NYU.

[Micdiddy]

NYU is worth the money over GULC. I would say it isn't even close, but don't want to be outed as a know-nothing 0L. With that said, it isn't Even close.

[banjo]

I don't know how much better CLS is than NYU, but it's definitely not $62K better.

Agree with this. I would take CLS with ~40k.

[dixiecupdrinking]

GULC has offered me 97.5K, so now I am weighing GULC against NYU (and still waiting to hear about $$ from CLS). How are my chances at DC biglaw or bigfed coming from GULC as compared to NYU? It's hard for me to tell whether GULC would have the advantage due to location or whether NYU grads would have an easier time since competition with classmates for DC jobs is probably much less intense. Any input is appreciated. I was leaning towards NYU, but should an extra $35K at Georgetown change my decision?

I think you will have better prospects from NYU. I have to imagine that any statistical differences are purely self-selection. Many people choose GULC for DC, many choose NYU for NYC. 35k is not enough. Go to NYU.

NYU will definitely be better for those jobs, IMO.

[RDJ2016]

Updated the original post to reflect my financial aid award from CLS. Thanks everyone for your comments so far! Does anyone have any further feedback now that I have information about $$ from all schools?

[untar614]

Updated the original post to reflect my financial aid award from CLS. Thanks everyone for your comments so far! Does anyone have any further feedback now that I have information about $$ from all schools?

I would be very surprised if anyone now said anything other than cls, unless u managed to use that to negotiate a full ride from one of the other 2

[Doorkeeper]

CLS is the obvious answer here.

This being said, you should notify NYU of your scholarship at CLS and see if they will bump you up to over $100k.

[dixiecupdrinking]

CLS is the obvious answer here.

This being said, you should notify NYU of your scholarship at CLS and see if they will bump you up to over $100k.

Agreed. I'd be surprised though. I think you'll be in Morningside Heights in the fall.

[Ti Malice]

CLS is the obvious answer here.

This being said, you should notify NYU of your scholarship at CLS and see if they will bump you up to over $100k.

Yep.

Talk to Duke as well. Can't hurt to ask. Maybe they'll find a spare Mordecai and let you interview for it.

[timbs4339]

I just got my financial aid award from CLS, so I'm going to edit this post to reflect that. I've been offered 85K at CLS, 62.5/75K at NYU (depending if I work in PI for my 2L summer) and 67.5K at Duke. As of now, my career goal is DC biglaw or bigfed, and I'm also interested in clerkships. Which of these schools would give me the best chance at breaking into the DC market and pursuing these goals? CLS seems very NYC biglaw focused, but it also appears that the resources are there for students who want to pursue different career paths. Is this observation correct? Or should I try to use my CLS offer as leverage to get another school that seems to be more focused on public service (NYU) or more DC-oriented (Duke) to increase its award?

I know that each of these schools offers a semester-long DC externship and would also appreciate any information about these programs. I've been wondering how difficult is it to participate in the externship, whether there is a lot of competition for spots, how much freedom students have in choosing their placement site, etc.

Another note - I'm currently very interested in learning more about national security law and hope to attend a school that offers a few classes in this subject area. All the schools I've listed above do, but it's hard for me to compare the strengths of their respective programs. Obviously this is not going to make or break my decision, it's just something I've thought about.

Obviously HY would be the ideal schools for your goals. That being said, CLS all the way. If you want DC biglaw it's going to be about the same from CLS/NYU, i.e. kind of a crapshoot. Bigfed is definitely doable, I have some friends working at agencies. And the government PI staff from CLS is great.

As to the above NYU posters, CLS also has national security/government profs and offers courses on the subject. See http://www.law.columbia.edu/fac/Matthew_Waxman.

[Ti Malice]

CLS also has Philip Bobbitt, who's kind of a big deal.

[Doorkeeper]

CLS also has Philip Bobbitt, who's kind of a big deal.

What an odd thing to point out...

[Bronck]

CLS also has Philip Bobbitt, who's kind of a big deal.

What an odd thing to point out...

Why? He was responding to the previous post about national security profs.