Duke OR Dont Go Forum

[Law Sauce]

Clear case of overthinking. Good school, scholarship, worth the price every day of the week

[PM2353]

Clear case of overthinking. Good school, scholarship, worth the price every day of the week

Thanks man. That's what I was thinking. I appreciate the response.

[mephistopheles]

You're right that most Duke grads don't want to practice locally, but if you express an interest in it (and going to UNC, WF, NCSU, ect. for undergrad helps A LOT) then you are in great shape, even if you're below median. They would rather take a 3.2 kid who has a clear intent to stay in NC than a 3.5 kid who they know will ditch them for a NYC or DC firm for 2L summer. At least this has been my experience and observation.

this is credited. if your resume and grades don't scream "i wanna stay in nc," you're shut out. really good gpas also don't help, because recruiters and hiring committees know you're gonna jump ship as soon as you can.

[PM2353]

Current 1L here, if you are planning to go into the Charlotte or Raleigh market with a local background and a Duke JD, getting a job as a 1L is no problem at all. Firms like Womble recruit here heavily during the mini-OCI we have for 1Ls and they pay 140k+ with a low CoL. If you live frugally you can easily pay back debt in 3-4 years.

Duke places very well (near 70% in biglaw + clerkships) and in case you want to pursue PI, the loan forgiveness is very generous. Good luck with the decision making and let me know if you have questions.

Thanks for the advice. I might have to PM you some of my questions. I just got back from ASW and it was great. I got information on all of the students post grad employment. Students also echoed what you said. Almost all Duke students are from places all over the United States so they usually don't target NC firms.

Is Dukes reputation so great in NC that top 66% will have BigLaw options? I am a finance major and I would like to do something with banking in Charlotte or Raleigh. (But im open to other practice areas)

[twenty]

If you have ties to NC, even Duke at sticker is acceptable. Unless you walk into interviews wearing a tee-shirt that says "eff the Native Alaskans" overlaying a swastika and a confederate flag, you really should be able to get a regional legal job that pays well enough to cover law school debt.

For what it's worth, this also goes for Northern Californians at Berkeley and Michiganians at Michigan.

[GMGP]

If you have ties to NC, even Duke at sticker is acceptable. Unless you walk into interviews wearing a tee-shirt that says "eff the Native Alaskans" overlaying a swastika and a confederate flag, you really should be able to get a regional legal job that pays well enough to cover law school debt.

For what it's worth, this also goes for Northern Californians at Berkeley and Michiganians at Michigan.

Yup.

[DaleCooper]

Is Duke's reputation so great in NC that top 66% will have BigLaw options? I am a finance major and I would like to do something with banking in Charlotte or Raleigh. (But im open to other practice areas)

Finance major, native North Carolinian, Duke J.D., interest in banking law, willing to live in Charlotte?

Enjoy your basketball, chicken 'n' waffles, and $8 grilled cheeses sold from the side of a truck, friend, because you already have a 2L offer.

(Seriously, though, get good grades so you can pick the firm you like best.)

[GMGP]

Is Duke's reputation so great in NC that top 66% will have BigLaw options? I am a finance major and I would like to do something with banking in Charlotte or Raleigh. (But im open to other practice areas)

Finance major, native North Carolinian, Duke J.D., interest in banking law, willing to live in Charlotte?

Enjoy your basketball, chicken 'n' waffles, and $8 grilled cheeses sold from the side of a truck, friend, because you already have a 2L offer.

(Seriously, though, get good grades so you can pick the firm you like best.)

Probably a 1L offer. They like to recruit early.

[AllDangle]

You're right that most Duke grads don't want to practice locally, but if you express an interest in it (and going to UNC, WF, NCSU, ect. for undergrad helps A LOT) then you are in great shape, even if you're below median. They would rather take a 3.2 kid who has a clear intent to stay in NC than a 3.5 kid who they know will ditch them for a NYC or DC firm for 2L summer. At least this has been my experience and observation.

this is credited. if your resume and grades don't scream "i wanna stay in nc," you're shut out. really good gpas also don't help, because recruiters and hiring committees know you're gonna jump ship as soon as you can.

I'm also attending Duke starting this fall and have a question about the ties needed to land an NC firm job. I am from the South and ideally want to end up working here. My gf is from NC, her extended family and sister live there as well, and she wants to work/live in NC following her own stint at graduate school. Would these "ties" be considered sufficient to show I'm not a flight risk and am serious about wanting to be in NC?

[BigZuck]

You're right that most Duke grads don't want to practice locally, but if you express an interest in it (and going to UNC, WF, NCSU, ect. for undergrad helps A LOT) then you are in great shape, even if you're below median. They would rather take a 3.2 kid who has a clear intent to stay in NC than a 3.5 kid who they know will ditch them for a NYC or DC firm for 2L summer. At least this has been my experience and observation.

this is credited. if your resume and grades don't scream "i wanna stay in nc," you're shut out. really good gpas also don't help, because recruiters and hiring committees know you're gonna jump ship as soon as you can.

I'm also attending Duke starting this fall and have a question about the ties needed to land an NC firm job. I am from the South and ideally want to end up working here. My gf is from NC, her extended family and sister live there as well, and she wants to work/live in NC following her own stint at graduate school. Would these "ties" be considered sufficient to show I'm not a flight risk and am serious about wanting to be in NC?

Probably depends on whether you're going to put a ring on it or not.

[PM2353]

GMCP & Other Duke students

Not to beat a dead horse but I was wondering if some Duke students could answer some more specific questions about Biglaw.

-How much do you think self selection plays a factor in the number of Duke grads heading to NC? I say this because the employment reports given at ASW have only a handful of students working biglaw in NC. (I feel like I already know the answer given the responses already, but I thought Id ask)

-Also, do you believe that more students are self selecting to do PI/Government work then ever before given the LRAP and PSLF options now available to students? Do you believe a lot of Duke students could have landed Big Law but instead chose PI work? (Id imagine if I was on a full ride or If I came from money I would be more eager to do public interest work)

-Lastly, do you know if the Duke Law students that pursue joint degrees generally go into the non-legal field? 196/225 students had a job requiring a JD. Would it be safe to assume a small group (10 or so JD/MBA JD/MA etc) chose to enter business or consulting work?

Thanks for all the responses. It really is helping me formulate a better picture of Duke and the benefits of attending during a time where the legal employment market is unstable.

[GMGP]

You're right that most Duke grads don't want to practice locally, but if you express an interest in it (and going to UNC, WF, NCSU, ect. for undergrad helps A LOT) then you are in great shape, even if you're below median. They would rather take a 3.2 kid who has a clear intent to stay in NC than a 3.5 kid who they know will ditch them for a NYC or DC firm for 2L summer. At least this has been my experience and observation.

this is credited. if your resume and grades don't scream "i wanna stay in nc," you're shut out. really good gpas also don't help, because recruiters and hiring committees know you're gonna jump ship as soon as you can.

I'm also attending Duke starting this fall and have a question about the ties needed to land an NC firm job. I am from the South and ideally want to end up working here. My gf is from NC, her extended family and sister live there as well, and she wants to work/live in NC following her own stint at graduate school. Would these "ties" be considered sufficient to show I'm not a flight risk and am serious about wanting to be in NC?

Probably depends on whether you're going to put a ring on it or not.

Financial stability and the pursuit of biglaw is a good enough reason for me to get married.

[GMGP]

GMCP & Other Duke students

Not to beat a dead horse but I was wondering if some Duke students could answer some more specific questions about Biglaw.

-How much do you think self selection plays a factor in the number of Duke grads heading to NC? I say this because the employment reports given at ASW have only a handful of students working biglaw in NC. (I feel like I already know the answer given the responses already, but I thought Id ask)

-Also, do you believe that more students are self selecting to do PI/Government work then ever before given the LRAP and PSLF options now available to students? Do you believe a lot of Duke students could have landed Big Law but instead chose PI work? (Id imagine if I was on a full ride or If I came from money I would be more eager to do public interest work)

-Lastly, do you know if the Duke Law students that pursue joint degrees generally go into the non-legal field? 196/225 students had a job requiring a JD. Would it be safe to assume a small group (10 or so JD/MBA JD/MA etc) chose to enter business or consulting work?

Thanks for all the responses. It really is helping me formulate a better picture of Duke and the benefits of attending during a time where the legal employment market is unstable.

1. Yes. Not many Duke kids actually are from NC so not many want to stay here. But if you can prove to them you are not a flight risk it's yours

2. Yes. LRAP is 10 years less than 60k. Very generous, and PILF (Public Interest Law Foundation) helps a majority of people who have unpaid summer employment.

3. Yes, MBB hires students from Duke although I don't know anyone personally who has gone since it requires a pay cut (160k to 120), less ability to jump back into law, and lots of traveling. Going into IB or business is possible although they don't have a recruiting presence here and you might have to work in biglaw first. JD/MBA will provide you with recruiting options from Fuqua but honestly not as much marketability unless you have good prior work experience.

[AllDangle]

You're right that most Duke grads don't want to practice locally, but if you express an interest in it (and going to UNC, WF, NCSU, ect. for undergrad helps A LOT) then you are in great shape, even if you're below median. They would rather take a 3.2 kid who has a clear intent to stay in NC than a 3.5 kid who they know will ditch them for a NYC or DC firm for 2L summer. At least this has been my experience and observation.

this is credited. if your resume and grades don't scream "i wanna stay in nc," you're shut out. really good gpas also don't help, because recruiters and hiring committees know you're gonna jump ship as soon as you can.

I'm also attending Duke starting this fall and have a question about the ties needed to land an NC firm job. I am from the South and ideally want to end up working here. My gf is from NC, her extended family and sister live there as well, and she wants to work/live in NC following her own stint at graduate school. Would these "ties" be considered sufficient to show I'm not a flight risk and am serious about wanting to be in NC?

Probably depends on whether you're going to put a ring on it or not.

Did she put you up to saying that Zuck? In all seriousness, assuming we do take the leap during LS, would those ties be enough?