Top Law Schools

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I voted Duke, but UVA is an equally valid choice. Michigan is a little more expensive, but, in this case, I think it's enough to basically ignore Mich in favor of Duke/UVA. Is a JD from Duke/UVA worth ~$70k more than a WUSTL JD? I think so. Facing a similar decision myself.

I think the triangle area does have a decent number of job opportunities, which is a huge reason my wife and I are heading to Duke next year. Cost of living there is really low, as well. Still, the personal reasons you have for staying in St. Louis are very compelling. However, you said you've saved a decent bit for a house so I think that could help control some of the costs associated with getting a Duke JD, since you wouldn't have to take out as much in GradPlus loans that have higher interest rates, etc.

This is the first time I vote for WUSTL.

Duke.

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I voted UVa but changed my mind, WUSTL is the clear choice

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Sauer Grapes wrote:So, I have about two weeks to make a decision. I think the clear choice would be UVA for most people here, but I think my situation makes WUSTL a lot stronger than it would be for most.

My wife and I are originally from the Midwest (MO, IL, KS) areas, and I am 75% sure that's where I would choose to practice, and 100% sure that I would be happy there even if it ends up not being my first choice.

The other areas I think we'd enjoy living are TX, FL and Chicago. CA and DC are possible as well, but we'd prefer the others more.

Michigan is a Midwest powerhouse. I'd go there.

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Are you willing to share your stats re: LSAT & GPA?
I voted for WashUStL because you seem to know what you & your spouse want, and it can be achieved by attending WashUStL. It is usually best to avoid bringing debt & debt related stress into family life as you will be experiencing enough stress on your marriage with one attending law school & the other as a homemaker/mother to be. (Due largely to intellectual growth of one partner & first year law school insecurities which can cause the law school spouse to cling to other law students due to shared anxieties while the at-home spouse may feel left out & ignored.) Hopefully your spouse will find a demanding job while you attend law school so that both of you continue to grow career wise.

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Good luck!

If you weren't interested in the midwest, I would say Duke or UVA. But since you are a Midwest guy and you sound like you want to stay here, it really comes down between Michigan and WUSTL. I voted WUSTL simply because your wife needs to work and St. Louis will offer a lot more opportunity to do so than Michigan.

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showNprove wrote:lol @ Duke leading this poll. There is absolutely nothing in the OP's preferences that suggests Duke would even be one of his top 2 best choices, let alone #1. The number of Duke trolls on this board has definitely grown since I first started visiting this site.

OP, if you and your wife want to have a child before you're out of law school, go to WUSTL. The no debt and parent factors overwhelmingly point to WUSTL. If you are willing to put off having a family until after graduation, go to Michigan. Michigan and UVA are the two best schools on your list, they're at about the same cost, and Michigan is in your region of preference.

If child before graduation, WUSTL; else, Michigan.

This Duke troll voted for WUSTL.

I have visited quite a few schools, and the professors and 1L/2L students I have talked to consider Duke in the same league as Cornell and GULC, whereas UVA and Michigan are peers schools.

Go to UVA. It also has lower tuition.

I originally voted UVA too before I read your post...now I change my mind to WUSTL. I don't see why people say Michigan is a Midwest powerhouse simply because it's in Michigan. Michigan Law is a national powerhouse as is UVA and Duke.

I think if you just want to work in Missouri; you can't go wrong with WUSTL because WUSTL is the gold standard in Missouri (I'm from KC). STL also has low COL and more opportunities for employment for your wife. I would imagine there's a lot more Wash U attorneys in Missouri than Duke or UVA or Mich. Unless you want to go practice in NY, LA, Chicago, DC or want to teach law one day, there's little reason to carry the extra debt.

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I agree with the post about considering how important starting a family during law school is to you and your wife. It also seem that you know where you might want to work, or at least have some options open to you already, so does getting that job depend on which school you go to? I think you need to think about whether you want to start a family or work very hard and see where a degree from a top law school will take you. Finding that work/family balance and understanding what is most important to you is probably better to do now than in 5 years. You also need to consider that if you go to WUSTL you might need to work harder than at MVD to land whatever your dream job is.

As for the Michigan-UVA-Duke decision I would just visit all three and see where you and your wife would be happiest. Law school stress is intense and you will need to find ways to deal with it. Keeping your family happy and moving to a place where you wife will have a meaningful job is very important to, as the comment that she might feel left out if you are studying/relaxing with other students sounds very insightful. The opportunities at these schools differ slightly (marginally?), so it is a sliding scale of debt v. opportunity from Duke to Virginia to Michigan.

I have probably been no help, and I still haven't voted lol. I would want answers about family v. career and about where you would feel best after visiting all 3 T14 schools.

I do believe it's self-selection. I know everyone from my ugrad school in Missouri was shooting for Wash U. East and West Coasters won't touch the midwest outside of Chicago with a stick for some reason. I have lived all my life in either Southern Illinois, Eastern Kansas, or Western Missouri...and I love it. I wouldn't trade low COL, friendly ppl, and easy commutes for anything like NYC, LA, or DC...although I would be interested in other areas like the South and Rockies...of course I should mention I'm going to Wash U this fall.

Congrats on your other acceptances though. I got WL at Mich, Duke, and UVA...I know if I had those offers with schollys, it would make my decision hella difficult though...I think I would be tempted to go to the T14 schools just to feel good about myself lol...but maybe I'd regret it later if I ended up wanting to come home and started work at a big firm like SHB or Bryan Cave next to a Wash U grad. Maybe then I'd think of the nice car or vacation packages or house downpayment I could have had with the extra loans I picked up to go to a T14 school. lol good luck

Borhas wrote:I voted UVa but changed my mind, WUSTL is the clear choice

This

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