UNC vs. American ...decision by 7/6 Forum

[abaird3]

I'm stuck deciding between UNC (top 30, public, reasonable out-of-state tuition) versus American (top 50, in DC, private, uber-expensive). I have an angle to focus on public health and IP law during school and UNC is much closer to the health/drug co. community (since so many drug makers are based in NC). However, I have been in DC for a while working in vaccine policy and love the work and this city. I have always planned to live here long term.

UNC has great brand recognition in SE Atlantic region and it certainly would be nice to leave the policy-wonk circles for a little while, but I am highly aware that I will want to be back in DC after school either way. Even though UNC would make more sense for my professional goals, I am hesitant to leave the comfort of the beltway.

TLS wisdom, help !

Thanks for the input in advance.

[Na_Swatch]

shouldn't even be a choice. UNC is arguably a better school than its ranking, with cheaper tuition, and lower COL.

beats American hands downs... it might take you a little while to get back to DC coming from UNC, but American is probably not a lot better at getting you into the competitive DC market.

[Grizz]

but I am highly aware that I will want to be back in DC after school either way. Even though UNC would make more sense for my professional goals, I am hesitant to leave the comfort of the beltway.

American - expensive in an incredibly competitive and glutted market. Nowhere close to being the best school for the area. Places primarily in a market targeted by grads of other, more prestigious schools.

UNC - Best in NC (arguably)

Go to UNC, get in-state tuition. American is far and away not worth it. Go to UNC and reconcile yourself to the fact that DC is going to be near impossible to get to, at least in the years after graduation. Even then it will be difficult.

Sorry dude.

[abaird3]

I agree UNC is a better school with a better network (both in the law school and other professional schools). But being in DC long-term is a major priority of mine, and I do not know how much going to UNC will hurt my chances at ending up here afterwards. I loved UNC when I visited and I know a lot about the school's programs and can see how well they would fit my interests.

Note: money is not a huge factor as I have received enough in scholarship to make the cost about equal. I am out-of-state for UNC anyway, so not getting their $16k in-state bargain. I have a good bit of family in NC, but heard it's pretty hard to get in-state if you're there for school.

[Grizz]

I agree UNC is a better school with a better network (both in the law school and other professional schools). But being in DC long-term is a major priority of mine, and I do not know how much going to UNC will hurt my chances at ending up here afterwards. I loved UNC when I visited and I know a lot about the school's programs and can see how well they would fit my interests.

Note: money is not a huge factor as I have received enough in scholarship to make the cost about equal. I am out-of-state for UNC anyway, so not getting their $16k in-state bargain. I have a good bit of family in NC, but heard it's pretty hard to get in-state if you're there for school.

Neither of these schools really align with your career goals that well, especially since American is gonna cost a ton. That's the long and short of it.

[abaird3]

In addition to AU and UNC, I am also admitted at George Mason with in-state tuition. Mason seems like a decent enough place, but I am hesitant to consider it seriously. I don't know whether it is the fact that I grew up in NoVA and associate GMU's lackluster undergrad reputation with that of their law school, or the fact that GMU caters so exclusively to NoVa firms (and not DC), but UNC appeals to me far more as an institution, even though I am out of state there.

really torn over this decision. thanks for the input already given!

[Captain Jack]

If you really want to be in DC and see yourself living there in the long-term, then hit up American. It's great for IP, Public Interest, Govt. and, although it's in a tough market, it holds its own in terms of employment and job opportunities. The school also has good national reach for its ranking. Plus there are MANY alums working in DC that would like to help WCL students. Going to school in DC allows you to network and establish professional connections into argubaly the most difficultg market to break into. That's going to be crucial when looking for work there. And American's clinical program ranks very highly; hell, it shares those lists with Harvard, Georgetown, Yale, etc. Not bad for a school that posters on here say "is not worth it". WCL really gets a bad rep on TLS just because it's in a big market and doesn't give out as much money as some people think they're entitled to. But, funny enough, you rarely hear the same amount of hatred for schools like Cardozo, Brooklyn, Northeastern and the like (and those are T2s). And those are legitimate concerns. So if you go to American, you'd already put yourself in position for access into the DC market. Plus, employers in DC would probably favor an American graduate over, say, a Case Western, BC or UNC graduate for the fact that you're familiar with the area and would want to work in DC, etc.

With all that said, UNC is certainly the better school, cheaper and also has a fairly large alumni pool in the NC area. The only thing is once you wander out of North Carolina, the school's reputation dwindles. So if you want NC, go to UNC and don't look back. But if you want to move out of NC, American may be better for you. It all depends on what you want and how honest you are with yoursel

For future reference, take everything that's posted here with a grain of salt, especially because most people on this site are 0Ls with very limited knowledge and insight into the legal community. Most of the time, they're speaking off of hearsay.

[5ky]

but I am highly aware that I will want to be back in DC after school either way. Even though UNC would make more sense for my professional goals, I am hesitant to leave the comfort of the beltway.

American - expensive in an incredibly competitive and glutted market. Nowhere close to being the best school for the area. Places primarily in a market targeted by grads of other, more prestigious schools.

UNC - Best in NC (arguably)

Go to UNC, get in-state tuition. American is far and away not worth it. Go to UNC and reconcile yourself to the fact that DC is going to be near impossible to get to, at least in the years after graduation. Even then it will be difficult.

Sorry dude.

Duke?

[Na_Swatch]

but I am highly aware that I will want to be back in DC after school either way. Even though UNC would make more sense for my professional goals, I am hesitant to leave the comfort of the beltway.

American - expensive in an incredibly competitive and glutted market. Nowhere close to being the best school for the area. Places primarily in a market targeted by grads of other, more prestigious schools.

UNC - Best in NC (arguably)

Go to UNC, get in-state tuition. American is far and away not worth it. Go to UNC and reconcile yourself to the fact that DC is going to be near impossible to get to, at least in the years after graduation. Even then it will be difficult.

Sorry dude.

Duke?

Everybody knows that Duke students are required to find a job at least 500 miles away from Durham.

[Merr]

but I am highly aware that I will want to be back in DC after school either way. Even though UNC would make more sense for my professional goals, I am hesitant to leave the comfort of the beltway.

American - expensive in an incredibly competitive and glutted market. Nowhere close to being the best school for the area. Places primarily in a market targeted by grads of other, more prestigious schools.

UNC - Best in NC (arguably)

Go to UNC, get in-state tuition. American is far and away not worth it. Go to UNC and reconcile yourself to the fact that DC is going to be near impossible to get to, at least in the years after graduation. Even then it will be difficult.

Sorry dude.

Duke?

To echo Na_Swatch.

Duke is to North Carolina as U Michigan is to Michigan. The majority of grads tend not to stick around.

[Captain Jack]

For future reference, take everything that's posted here with a grain of salt, especially because most people on this site are 0Ls with very limited knowledge and insight into the legal community. Most of the time, they're speaking off of hearsay.

[Matteliszt]

The only reason you should go to American is if you really want to live in D.C. and you have no option to retake and get into Georgetown. If you have the LSAT for UNC out of state you probably have the ability to do about 3-7 points better and get into Georgetown.

[gwuorbust]

dear God, please do not pay 200k to attend American. It is not worth it! Think about the debt payments and then consider the competition that you have in the DC market:

gtwon/UVA > GWU > W&L/W&M > GMU > American

alright so you are 7th on the list (tho we can debate if American or GMU should be ranked 7th, doesn't really matter). There are also many, many Harvard et. al. law students trying to get into DC. Then you are paying 200k???

I think a more prudent decision would be to pay substantially less and attend UNC. There you are the king of the hill. Try to get a job in DC during OCI and if you strike out at for DC firms then you can always lateral into DC after a few years in NC.

[romothesavior]

UNC by a mile. Actually by many miles.

Do not go to American. Period.

And the 6 of you who voted American need to be dragged out in the streets to be tarred and feathered.

[Bosque]

Duke?

Everybody knows that Duke students are required to find a job at least 500 miles away from Durham.

To echo Na_Swatch.

Duke is to North Carolina as U Michigan is to Michigan. The majority of grads tend not to stick around.

As a Dukie, I can assure you this is correct. (Although required is the wrong word. More "expected" or "able" )

Which is not to say that you cannot get a job in North Carolina coming from Duke if you want. Not too many people want to though, so you are unlikely to be competing with us coming out of UNC. Your competition will really be Wake Forest.

Although if you are trying to get back to DC like you say, you will be competing with us, UVA, Georgetown, Michigan, GW, Penn, Harvard, Yale... the list goes on. But you will still be better off than if you were coming from American. Go to UNC. Only thing you will regret is your nasty Basketball team.

[abaird3]

Although if you are trying to get back to DC like you say, you will be competing with us, UVA, Georgetown, Michigan, GW, Penn, Harvard, Yale... the list goes on. But you will still be better off than if you were coming from American.

This is the perspective I was missing. Hadn't fully considered that DC is the bullseye of so many other schools outside of its immediate region (Mich, Penn, HYS). Thanks for the input - think my decision at this point is pretty clear.

As an OoS, I am not going to get involved in any Blue Devil v. Tarheel debate on this thread. I route for Maryland in the ACC and have family at UNC, so let's just leave it at that.

[Grizz]

Although if you are trying to get back to DC like you say, you will be competing with us, UVA, Georgetown, Michigan, GW, Penn, Harvard, Yale... the list goes on. But you will still be better off than if you were coming from American.

This is the perspective I was missing. Hadn't fully considered that DC is the bullseye of so many other schools outside of its immediate region (Mich, Penn, HYS). Thanks for the input - think my decision at this point is pretty clear.

As an OoS, I am not going to get involved in any Blue Devil v. Tarheel debate on this thread. I route for Maryland in the ACC and have family at UNC, so let's just leave it at that.

So what did you decide?

[Na_Swatch]

Duke?

Everybody knows that Duke students are required to find a job at least 500 miles away from Durham.

To echo Na_Swatch.

Duke is to North Carolina as U Michigan is to Michigan. The majority of grads tend not to stick around.

As a Dukie, I can assure you this is correct. (Although required is the wrong word. More "expected" or "able" )

Which is not to say that you cannot get a job in North Carolina coming from Duke if you want. Not too many people want to though, so you are unlikely to be competing with us coming out of UNC. Your competition will really be Wake Forest.

Although if you are trying to get back to DC like you say, you will be competing with us, UVA, Georgetown, Michigan, GW, Penn, Harvard, Yale... the list goes on. But you will still be better off than if you were coming from American. Go to UNC. Only thing you will regret is your nasty Basketball team.

lol clearly I was being sarcastic, but we agree on the basics ...


And have fun at UNC OP, its a great place to spend 3 years.

[Matteliszt]

Hope to meet you in chapel hill OP