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I want to choose Duke over Mich and Penn. I just dont feel there is academical or career difference between them. So I choose what feels best. Who thinks its a wrong thing to do? Is there a gap between them? Money is not an issue.
No dooking please. Thanks.

you should look through a guy named quakeroats posts. he pretty much exclusively argues that duke is the best thing ever especially in comparison to UVa and Michigan

There's nothing wrong with it but keep in mind that Duke has graded Legal research and writing program while it's Pass/Fail at Michigan and Penn.

FlanAl wrote:you should look through a guy named quakeroats posts. he pretty much exclusively argues that duke is the best thing ever especially in comparison to UVa and Michigan

He even has totally legitimate numbers from reliable sources to back that point of view up.

fyr22 wrote:I want to choose Duke over Mich and Penn. Who thinks its a wrong thing to do? Is there a gap between them? Money is not an issue.
Thanks.

If that's what you want, go to Duke. I don't think the differences are so compelling that you should go against a personal preference.

I'd say there's a decent, but small gap between them. Others may disagree.

That being said, if you'd truly be happier at Duke then go Duke. The difference isn't so large that you'd be insane to take Duke over MP. If you'd be happier, you'd probably do better in school and that would easily make up any possible difference between the schools.

The difference between Duke and MP is marginal. Go where you feel comfortable, as this will improve your ability to do well.

Interested in this as well. I'm in at NYU and Penn but seriously considering Duke.

I think that if you look at incoming class medians, employment stats, etc... you will see a great big logjam of Penn, Virginia, Michigan and Duke. I think Northwestern and Berkeley are distinct enough (which is not to say better or worse) in terms of their culture and admissions criteria to be really distinguishable from those four. But, so far as I can tell, those four schools seem to be competing for the same students, and offering them very similar outcomes. Michigan may be a *touch* more forgiving in terms of numbers (which is to say they may be slight more willing to consider other factors).

So, I think choosing between these schools based on rankings or statistics is generally not very sensible. Which means picking based on what you like is entirely sensible.

Go for it. There's no discernible difference in prospects between the schools.

FWIW, Duke was more selective than MVP for C/O 2013. Better medians than Michigan on both counts, and slightly lower GPA medians than Penn/Virginia with substantially higher 25ths (166/3.55 for VP versus 168/3.68 for D). Clearly if the MVP > D distinction exists, the incoming students to the various schools don't seem to realize it.

Where's our resident profaner of the memory of David Foster Wallace?

clintonius wrote:Where's our resident profaner of the memory of David Foster Wallace?

Man this needs an explanation...

If you want NYC penn probably has a measurable difference. But it's not huge.

reversejinx wrote:

clintonius wrote:Where's our resident profaner of the memory of David Foster Wallace?

Man this needs an explanation...

this guy: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/m ... le&u=49603

is the most entertaining Duke troll around.

Desert Fox wrote:If you want NYC penn probably has a measurable difference. But it's not huge.

I think somebody did a little analysis once and concluded that more of the most prestigious firms (from NYC) interview at Penn, but that is the only reason they could be considered better that I can think of.

I don't know about Michgan or Penn, but I know Duke does not have a GPA requirement (beyond your standard don't fail out clause) to keep scholarship money. Not something you ever want to have to worry about, but nice in case you screw up first semester.

Other than that, I know I like it and don't regret choosing to come here. School is fantastic. But I feel like I don't have to really tell you that.

Bosque wrote:I don't know about Michgan or Penn, but I know Duke does not have a GPA requirement (beyond your standard don't fail out clause) to keep scholarship money. Not something you ever want to have to worry about, but nice in case you screw up first semester.

Other than that, I know I like it and don't regret choosing to come here. School is fantastic. But I feel like I don't have to really tell you that.

Mich is the same. No stipulations on money except being enrolled and not failing out.

dabbadon8 wrote:

Bosque wrote:I don't know about Michgan or Penn, but I know Duke does not have a GPA requirement (beyond your standard don't fail out clause) to keep scholarship money. Not something you ever want to have to worry about, but nice in case you screw up first semester.

Other than that, I know I like it and don't regret choosing to come here. School is fantastic. But I feel like I don't have to really tell you that.

Mich is the same. No stipulations on money except being enrolled and not failing out.

Do any T14s have these stipulations?

Bronte wrote:

dabbadon8 wrote:

Bosque wrote:I don't know about Michgan or Penn, but I know Duke does not have a GPA requirement (beyond your standard don't fail out clause) to keep scholarship money. Not something you ever want to have to worry about, but nice in case you screw up first semester.

Other than that, I know I like it and don't regret choosing to come here. School is fantastic. But I feel like I don't have to really tell you that.

Mich is the same. No stipulations on money except being enrolled and not failing out.

Do any T14s have these stipulations?

I think Cornell does? Not sure.

EDIT: Looked it up, Cornell requires a 3.0 or above to keep a Scholly. Couldn't find anything specific about Michigan or Penn.

fyr22 wrote:I want to choose Duke over Mich and Penn. I just dont feel there is academical or career difference between them. So I choose what feels best. Who thinks its a wrong thing to do? Is there a gap between them? Money is not an issue.
No dooking please. Thanks.

They're all peer schools - pick the one that's the best fit for you. Some people will fit better at Duke, some people will fit better at Mich or Penn.

Just don't buy the snake oil that quakeroats constantly tries to sell.

Thank you folks. Really glad that no trolls showed in this thread.

vamedic03 wrote:

fyr22 wrote:I want to choose Duke over Mich and Penn. I just dont feel there is academical or career difference between them. So I choose what feels best. Who thinks its a wrong thing to do? Is there a gap between them? Money is not an issue.
No dooking please. Thanks.

They're all peer schools - pick the one that's the best fit for you. Some people will fit better at Duke, some people will fit better at Mich or Penn.

Just don't buy the snake oil that quakeroats constantly tries to sell.

This.

(just fyi, quakeroats doesn't know what he's talking about)

Flame.

thecilent wrote:Flame.

-180

Posts like this make me wish that feedback system had worked. I would love to rate this down.