FINAL: NYU ($) v. Duke ($$) v. HLS - LS22 needs your help Forum

[Power_of_Facing]

Your brain says Duke, but your heart says NYU...

What does your gut tell you?

[lawschool22]

Sorry guys, I know my indecisiveness is getting old. I feel like I should clarify why I'm asking about NYU again. It's not so much that it is a heart vs. head decision - I am confident I would be equally happy at either school. I guess what I'm still wrestling with is whether there is anything I am giving up as far as career opportunities early on and down the road, and whether these opportunities justify the now lower cost of NYU.

I imagine the answer is still "no," but I wanted to run it by all of you intelligent people before making my final-final decision

[buffalo_]

Sorry guys, I know my indecisiveness is getting old. I feel like I should clarify why I'm asking about NYU again. It's not so much that it is a heart vs. head decision - I am confident I would be equally happy at either school. I guess what I'm still wrestling with is whether there is anything I am giving up as far as career opportunities early on and down the road, and whether these opportunities justify the now lower cost of NYU.

I imagine the answer is still "no," but I wanted to run it by all of you intelligent people before making my final-final decision

If this truly the only reason, I would say go to Duke. NYU will have slightly better hiring numbers, but the difference probably isn't worth 75k. I don't think either school will boost DC.

The only reason to attend NYU at this point is for the LRAP (which I checked, is much better than Duke) or if that is where your heart is.

[jbagelboy]

Sorry guys, I know my indecisiveness is getting old. I feel like I should clarify why I'm asking about NYU again. It's not so much that it is a heart vs. head decision - I am confident I would be equally happy at either school. I guess what I'm still wrestling with is whether there is anything I am giving up as far as career opportunities early on and down the road, and whether these opportunities justify the now lower cost of NYU.

I imagine the answer is still "no," but I wanted to run it by all of you intelligent people before making my final-final decision

What do you mean by additional funding

Boomer parents saying go to the best usnwr and we'll pay the difference?

Same game every time. Do you what you gotta do but don't forget your own words of wisdom splattered across this board

[ZGr88n]

I'd still take Duke.

[Power_of_Facing]

Sorry guys, I know my indecisiveness is getting old. I feel like I should clarify why I'm asking about NYU again. It's not so much that it is a heart vs. head decision - I am confident I would be equally happy at either school. I guess what I'm still wrestling with is whether there is anything I am giving up as far as career opportunities early on and down the road, and whether these opportunities justify the now lower cost of NYU.

I imagine the answer is still "no," but I wanted to run it by all of you intelligent people before making my final-final decision

NYU earned (EARNED, DAMMIT!) a whopping 1.53 more points than Duke in the latest ATL ranking.

If that isn't worth tens of thousands of dollars then--Heaven help me--I just don't know what is.

[chizzy]

also take into account the place you would be happy in. would you prefer to live in NYC or durham? dont underestimate how the social scene could affect your performance.

[lawschool22]

Sorry guys, I know my indecisiveness is getting old. I feel like I should clarify why I'm asking about NYU again. It's not so much that it is a heart vs. head decision - I am confident I would be equally happy at either school. I guess what I'm still wrestling with is whether there is anything I am giving up as far as career opportunities early on and down the road, and whether these opportunities justify the now lower cost of NYU.

I imagine the answer is still "no," but I wanted to run it by all of you intelligent people before making my final-final decision

What do you mean by additional funding

Boomer parents saying go to the best usnwr and we'll pay the difference?

Same game every time. Do you what you gotta do but don't forget your own words of wisdom splattered across this board

It's related to a complicated situation that I won't get into here, but it isn't that situation. You're right - I know what I need to do. I think I just needed to confirm that with everyone else ITT to make sure I am going to make the right decision.

I appreciate everyone's help. I think I will be very happy at Duke, and the added benefit of <$80k debt at repayment will probably feel worth it in the end.

[gta]

Sorry guys, I know my indecisiveness is getting old. I feel like I should clarify why I'm asking about NYU again. It's not so much that it is a heart vs. head decision - I am confident I would be equally happy at either school. I guess what I'm still wrestling with is whether there is anything I am giving up as far as career opportunities early on and down the road, and whether these opportunities justify the now lower cost of NYU.

I imagine the answer is still "no," but I wanted to run it by all of you intelligent people before making my final-final decision

What do you mean by additional funding

Boomer parents saying go to the best usnwr and we'll pay the difference?

Same game every time. Do you what you gotta do but don't forget your own words of wisdom splattered across this board

It's related to a complicated situation that I won't get into here, but it isn't that situation. You're right - I know what I need to do. I think I just needed to confirm that with everyone else ITT to make sure I am going to make the right decision.

I appreciate everyone's help. I think I will be very happy at Duke, and the added benefit of <$80k debt at repayment will probably feel worth it in the end.

I think you'll be happiest when you finalize this decision and put it behind you once and for all

[jbagelboy]

Sorry guys, I know my indecisiveness is getting old. I feel like I should clarify why I'm asking about NYU again. It's not so much that it is a heart vs. head decision - I am confident I would be equally happy at either school. I guess what I'm still wrestling with is whether there is anything I am giving up as far as career opportunities early on and down the road, and whether these opportunities justify the now lower cost of NYU.

I imagine the answer is still "no," but I wanted to run it by all of you intelligent people before making my final-final decision

What do you mean by additional funding

Boomer parents saying go to the best usnwr and we'll pay the difference?

Same game every time. Do you what you gotta do but don't forget your own words of wisdom splattered across this board

It's related to a complicated situation that I won't get into here, but it isn't that situation. You're right - I know what I need to do. I think I just needed to confirm that with everyone else ITT to make sure I am going to make the right decision.

I appreciate everyone's help. I think I will be very happy at Duke, and the added benefit of <$80k debt at repayment will probably feel worth it in the end.

I think you'll be happiest when you finalize this decision and put it behind you once and for all

Yea, I agree with this.

FWIW I wasn't trying to be hard on you bro, maybe that post came off strong. You've just been at this for a while and people's initial conclusions often get redrawn when they factor in all the variables, including family.

Look - as the poster above me said, choosing is the agony. People rarely spend a lot of time regretting choosing one school or another (until debt payments kick in, that is), and once you decide you'll put this all past you. If you decide to go to NYU, we'll all be happy for you. Same if you stick with Duke.

[lawschool22]

An update:

Well, quite surprisingly I got into HLS off the wait list. I've calculated a conservative estimated need-based aid amount, and my total COA will likely be around $165k. I know that some of you would still take Duke in this case ($79k), but for my goals (federal clerkship probably, DC biglaw, and government) I feel HLS is the right call for me, and at a not-horrible price. I wanted to update the thread so that future choosers will have the final information. Thanks to everyone for your help through this process.

[barrelofmonkeys]

An update:

Well, quite surprisingly I got into HLS off the wait list. I've calculated a conservative estimated need-based aid amount, and my total COA will likely be around $165k. I know that some of you would still take Duke in this case ($79k), but for my goals (federal clerkship probably, DC biglaw, and government) I feel HLS is the right call for me, and at a not-horrible price. I wanted to update the thread so that future choosers will have the final information. Thanks to everyone for your help through this process.

grats <3

[lawschool22]

An update:

Well, quite surprisingly I got into HLS off the wait list. I've calculated a conservative estimated need-based aid amount, and my total COA will likely be around $165k. I know that some of you would still take Duke in this case ($79k), but for my goals (federal clerkship probably, DC biglaw, and government) I feel HLS is the right call for me, and at a not-horrible price. I wanted to update the thread so that future choosers will have the final information. Thanks to everyone for your help through this process.

grats <3

You're the best . Also thank you for voting

[ymmv]

An update:

Well, quite surprisingly I got into HLS off the wait list. I've calculated a conservative estimated need-based aid amount, and my total COA will likely be around $165k. I know that some of you would still take Duke in this case ($79k), but for my goals (federal clerkship probably, DC biglaw, and government) I feel HLS is the right call for me, and at a not-horrible price. I wanted to update the thread so that future choosers will have the final information. Thanks to everyone for your help through this process.

Congratulations! I would still choose Duke, personally, but HLS for $165k is not an unreasonable decision.

[star fox]

Close call. Went for Harvard.Lower T-14s are tricky in that below median grades makes it tough.. BigLaw from Harvard is like... a sure thing?? Or am I way off?

It's like a year post-taxes Big Law Salary difference, so I guess is it worth forfeiting for being that much more secure in your immediate goal?

0L here so all my advice is pretty meaningless.

[jbagelboy]

Close call. Went for Harvard.Lower T-14s are tricky in that below median grades makes it tough.. BigLaw from Harvard is like... a sure thing?? Or am I way off?

It's like a year post-taxes Big Law Salary difference, so I guess is it worth forfeiting for being that much more secure in your immediate goal?

0L here so all my advice is pretty meaningless.

The reality is, it would make no sense to pay that much for Harvard over Duke just for "biglaw" - but its very rational for DC specifically and gov't. The distinction in placement power there is very real.

[Crowing]

Daaaammnn 3.6/173 can get HLS now? And I thought last year was a serious buyer's market already.

Not to denigrate you though OP! Congrats on the acceptance

[lawschool22]

Daaaammnn 3.6/173 can get HLS now? And I thought last year was a serious buyer's market already.

Not to denigrate you though OP! Congrats on the acceptance

Lol no denigration taken. Thank you. I will say it was not easily won - I definitely put quite a bit of effort into the entire process. That may have had something to do with it, I'm not sure. I also think work experience played a role, and seems to be more and more important these days. And I'm sure there was a large bit of luck at play too

[lawschool22]

Close call. Went for Harvard.Lower T-14s are tricky in that below median grades makes it tough.. BigLaw from Harvard is like... a sure thing?? Or am I way off?

It's like a year post-taxes Big Law Salary difference, so I guess is it worth forfeiting for being that much more secure in your immediate goal?

0L here so all my advice is pretty meaningless.

The reality is, it would make no sense to pay that much for Harvard over Duke just for "biglaw" - but its very rational for DC specifically and gov't. The distinction in placement power there is very real.

Yep! This is the key point I hope current and future 0Ls realize - this was totally based on my specific goals.