Duke$$ or NYU at sticker Forum

[NY88]

Duke with cash verses NYU full price

[kittenmittons]

Career goals? Geographical preference after law school? Etc.

[im_blue]

The total COA would be $210k vs $124k over 3 years, for a difference of $86k. I'd go with Duke unless maybe you were dead set on NYC biglaw.

[orphanarium]

...

[NY88]

Want to work NYC and I think Duke's reach is long enough. I hope.

[AngryAvocado]

I'd go with Duke. It's a knock in lay prestige, but 1/2 tuition is hard to pass up. And realistically, most people (outside the TLS world) are still going to be uber-impressed with a Duke Law degree.

Actually, I think Duke probably carries more lay prestige in most parts of the country so that might actually be an additional pro depending on what type of law you want to practice and what you personally care about.

[thickfreakness]

If you want NYC go to NYU. They're second to Columbia for NYC placement and if you decide on PI law their LRAP is really awesome, while Duke's is weak. 60K is a lot of money, but if you're at NYU you'll be in better position to get a NYC job, especially as that market turns around.

[toaster2]

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[rv11]

I'd go with Duke. It's a knock in lay prestige, but 1/2 tuition is hard to pass up. And realistically, most people (outside the TLS world) are still going to be uber-impressed with a Duke Law degree.

Actually, I think Duke probably carries more lay prestige in most parts of the country so that might actually be an additional pro depending on what type of law you want to practice and what you personally care about.

+1

[kittenmittons]

If you want NYC go to NYU. They're second to Columbia for NYC placement and if you decide on PI law their LRAP is really awesome, while Duke's is weak. 60K is a lot of money, but if you're at NYU you'll be in better position to get a NYC job, especially as that market turns around.

[insidethetwenty]

If you absolutely wouldn't be happy practicing anywhere but New York, I think NYU is your safest bet. However, with the scholarship and incredible COL differences, going to Duke would probably be about half the price. Duke's reach into NYC, while not as good as NYU, is pretty strong. And less debt is incredibly appealing. I'd go with Duke.

[fortissimo]

Duke, duh.

[keg411]

In a T14 v. T14, I say TTMAR. Plus the COL difference between Durham and NYC is huge.

[jnorsky]

Both schools can get you NYC biglaw, NYU easier than Duke though. But do fairly well at Duke, and you should be fine. But would you rather live in Durham or NYC for the next three years? And remember, youll hopefully be making 160K right out, COL shouldnt matter too much, unless you really hate debt.

[totalidiot]

I cringe to say this, but if you really want NYC (enough so that NY is in your handle), you should probably go to NYU. It really depends though--if you're not very committed to NYC, then I would say Duke. For NYC though, this is a rare case in which I would advocate full sticker assuming you want to work for a law firm.

[Muckduck]

Duke. TLS is a great resource, but like many on this thread have already noted, the lay prestige of Duke, and your potential for Biglaw at Duke if you graduate decently in the class makes Duke a great alternative. Once you go BigLaw, you'll be happy you went to school somewhere more pleasant to live...like Durham.

[DukeHopeful]

Ugh, I reallllyyyy hope that I will have this same decision to make sometime soon. Pretty much my top two schools. I've been mostly of the opinion that if I got into NYU, I'd take it no matter what for the opportunities it opens. That said, I didn't factor in a 1/2 scholly at Duke for my decision. I think if you do well at Duke, you can pretty much own the South in terms of market, it definitely has much better prestige down here, as far as I've seen. Also, they place pretty well in NYC, and they're not too bad in DC either if I'm correct. If I was in the same position with a 1/2 scholly, I think I'd take Duke. I just visited this past weekend, and it's a beautiful area and campus. You're 15 minutes tops from Chapel Hill, and can live half way and have the best of both worlds less than 10 min away. Plus, the beach is just ~2 hours away, as are the mountains. I have not been to NYU, so I can't really comment on that campus much.

[radgrad]

hey- i think the back-and-forth on this thread is really telling: there's no absolutely "right" choice here. in a situation like this, it really comes down to personal preference: how much do you want to work in nyc, how much you're debt-averse, etc.

but i think the other thing that comes up less often is considering how happy you'll be in law school and factoring that into your decision. i know i personally perform better when i'm happy, feel engaged in my courses, consider myself to be part of a community, etc etc etc. NYC and Durham are incredibly different, as are NYU and Duke, and I'd visit both to get a feel for where you think you could be happiest/doing your best. (I've actually visited Durham briefly a few times, and I feel in love with it. I'd go if not for their abysmal LRAP. But then I love NYC too, so...)

good luck!

[quetzalcoatl]

What were your stats? Im hoping to get something similar from Duke (offer is in the mail according to my status checker).

[jakeoooh]

I'd go with Duke and the half scholarship. Having lived in both NYC and the Durham area, it's a no-brainer that NYC has a lot more to offer- but the cost of doing it is very pricey. Rent is clearly going to be more expensive in the city (even if you don't live in the village which is REALLY expensive), and the cost of simple things like having a beer or dinner are likewise much-more expensive. I love NYC and visit at least twice a year- but living there on student-loans is going to preclude you from doing many of the things that make NYC such an awesome place. At least in my opinion.

Duke places well in NYC, well in DC, and as others have said is king in the south. Plus, Durham isn't bad, Chapel Hill is really cool, and the weather in Carolina is really nice (the past month or so notwithstanding). To me, ITE half scholarship and much cheaper COL would push me to choose Duke.

[TheWire]

I love both of these schools...and they love me

[kurla88]

Have you tried negotiating with NYU for a scholarship?

[DukeHopeful]

BTW, any chance you might post your stats? Or PM me if you would prefer? I'd really like to see what you had to get this choice.

[TheWire]

Have you tried negotiating with NYU for a scholarship?

Do you think NYU would consider $$ from Duke as leverage for a scholarship?

[NY88]

Stats 173 3.71