Duke 91k COA v. UF No Debt Forum

[Lady Crawley]

Going with Duke. Thank you all!

[transferror]

If you're down for biglaw, Duke is unquestionably the correct decision. The only time UF would make sense is if you were a PI gunner set on staying in FL, and it would still be debatable.

[Winston1984]

Your hypothetical isn't realistic. Making 160k in NYC or 50k in Florida is the correct hypo there. I think Duke for under 100k is a great deal. I would take Duke and never look back.

[TheSpanishMain]

I'm normally a pretty big proponent of limiting debt, but Duke is such a better school and 91k is such a decent price that I think that's the right call here.

[bombaysippin]

Isn't any T14 under 100k debt worth it? I say go to Duke.

[Clyde Frog]

These the only two schools you applied to? UF is kinda far down the list from Duke.

[kevgogators]

For God sakes, go with Duke! It's time to leave Gainesville and use what you got here at UG to progress. #GoGata

[nebula666]

I go to UF and Duke is the clear answer here. If you didn't want biglaw, I'd probably take UF.

[Cicero76]

Your hypothetical isn't realistic. Making 160k in NYC or 50k in Florida is the correct hypo there. I think Duke for under 100k is a great deal. I would take Duke and never look back.

Florida has a bit more salary variation than a lot of places--it's not just the simplistic 160k v. 50k. FL biglaw market pay in Miami is 145k, but it can vary widely elsewhere--110k in Orlando, 120k in Tampa, 90k in Jacksonville/Tallahassee. There's not a ton of these biglaw jobs across the state, but what ones there are go to T14 and the very top of UF/FSU/Miami. 80k specifically might not be a realistic number--except maybe for Greenberg Traurig's new fake asssociate track--but if OP goes to Duke there's a pretty good chance of coming back to FL biglaw and a 100k+ salary. Not so much a good chance from UF.

So with your goals, OP, I would go to Duke at that COA. A free law degree from UF isn't a bad deal though, if you're okay with 50k midlaw being your likely entry job.

[Lady Crawley]

These the only two schools you applied to? UF is kinda far down the list from Duke.

Of course I applied to more schools. Let’s say there was some waitlist movement, some scholarship negotiation and even some double depositing going on. As of now, if I were to stay in state, I would go to UF for free but if I were to pay for it, Duke is my best option (Why would I waste your (and my) time asking if NYU is worth it 100K more than Duke if already know the answer or if Cornell is worth it 30k less than Duke if I know I hate the extreme cold weather). Simple as that.

[Lady Crawley]

Your hypothetical isn't realistic. Making 160k in NYC or 50k in Florida is the correct hypo there. I think Duke for under 100k is a great deal. I would take Duke and never look back.

Florida has a bit more salary variation than a lot of places--it's not just the simplistic 160k v. 50k. FL biglaw market pay in Miami is 145k, but it can vary widely elsewhere--110k in Orlando, 120k in Tampa, 90k in Jacksonville/Tallahassee. There's not a ton of these biglaw jobs across the state, but what ones there are go to T14 and the very top of UF/FSU/Miami. 80k specifically might not be a realistic number--except maybe for Greenberg Traurig's new fake asssociate track--but if OP goes to Duke there's a pretty good chance of coming back to FL biglaw and a 100k+ salary. Not so much a good chance from UF.

So with your goals, OP, I would go to Duke at that COA. A free law degree from UF isn't a bad deal though, if you're okay with 50k midlaw being your likely entry job.

It is a bit unrealistic but I also agree with you that the FL salaries are all over the place. It is also obviously far from certain that I would get a 160k offer. Was only trying to say that I would let go of some money to stay local but only to the point that the difference was not too great. Would need real job offers before making a realistic comparison.

[Lady Crawley]

Thank you everyone. Was already leaning toward Duke but wanted to make sure that I was not making a stupid choice. Lots of TLSers say that going in state (especially for free and with no GPA floor) may be the best option if you want to stay local. And while I would love to stay in FL, I’m willing to let go of that if necessary. I guess 91k is not that bad.

[cricketlove00]

Duke Duke Duke.

[Cicero76]

Thank you everyone. Was already leaning toward Duke but wanted to make sure that I was not making a stupid choice. Lots of TLSers say that going in state (especially for free and with no GPA floor) may be the best option if you want to stay local. And while I would love to stay in FL, I’m willing to let go of that if necessary. I guess 91k is not that bad.

Florida is a special case. It's the largest state in the country that doesn't have a highly ranked law school. So for Florida, staying local isn't the best option if you want to work in state. You should have no problem returning to the sunshine from Duke

[Winston1984]

Your hypothetical isn't realistic. Making 160k in NYC or 50k in Florida is the correct hypo there. I think Duke for under 100k is a great deal. I would take Duke and never look back.

Florida has a bit more salary variation than a lot of places--it's not just the simplistic 160k v. 50k. FL biglaw market pay in Miami is 145k, but it can vary widely elsewhere--110k in Orlando, 120k in Tampa, 90k in Jacksonville/Tallahassee. There's not a ton of these biglaw jobs across the state, but what ones there are go to T14 and the very top of UF/FSU/Miami. 80k specifically might not be a realistic number--except maybe for Greenberg Traurig's new fake asssociate track--but if OP goes to Duke there's a pretty good chance of coming back to FL biglaw and a 100k+ salary. Not so much a good chance from UF.

So with your goals, OP, I would go to Duke at that COA. A free law degree from UF isn't a bad deal though, if you're okay with 50k midlaw being your likely entry job.

I was referring to him assuming midlaw from Florida. My argument was that he should expect a small law job if he attends Florida. Of course if he goes to Duke he could end up with a biglaw job in Florida.

[Nomo]

I might be wrong, but I would be its easier to get biglaw out of UF than midlaw. Nobody gets midlaw, it simply doesn't exist for recent graduates.

That said, debt free is awesome. I would strongly consider UF. You have two good options. Duke comes with more risk, but also more upside.

[Ruxin1]

I might be wrong, but I would be its easier to get biglaw out of UF than midlaw. Nobody gets midlaw, it simply doesn't exist for recent graduates.

That said, debt free is awesome. I would strongly consider UF. You have two good options. Duke comes with more risk, but also more upside.

Guessing you don't practice in Florida?

[UnicornHunter]

Duke Duke Duke.

[bkraut1]

Duke Duke Duke.

Not a real decision. A JD from UF is worthless if you want BigLaw anywhere. Duke at under 100k total COA is a great deal. Congrats and see you in the fall!

[PB&J.D.]

Duke Duke Duke.

[pilchc]

Duke! I had similar options in 2011, chose Duke, and have no regrets. My original plan was to return to my home state and work at a midsize law firm. I had opportunities to do that, but turned them down for a Gov job that's a better fit for me (JAG).

Of my friends at Duke who originally planned on returning to their home state, I would guess that about a half of them did. Most of those who didn't ended up in BigLaw.

Good luck!

[NYSprague]

Please go to Duke. I'm strongly debt averse but between these two choices you should go to Duke.