Minnesota (COA $0), Illinois (COA $0), or Duke (COA $25K) Forum

[canditiffany]

Reposting with more information. Received full tuition from Minnesota and Illinois, and half tuition from Duke. Chem Engineering undergrad and interested in IP law. Would like to practice in the Midwest (extended family in Ohio), but not totally opposed to going to other areas. Other than the tuition, the R&B and fees are basically equal (20K per year) for all three schools.

Minnesota:
Pros: full tuition, vibrant city, some college friends will be working/attending school in Minneapolis
Cons: worried about limiting my job prospects to the twin cities area.

Illinois:
Pros: full tuition, access to Chicago for job prospects
Cons: located in small city, not much going on

Duke:
Pros: Top 14 school, job prospects more national
Cons: most expensive of the three, so will incur debt

[canditiffany]

Thanks to those who have voted. Also, if you have any input to provide, please let me know.

[Tanicius]

Every person I've met or talked to who both has the science background and the desire to go into IP has gotten a job (including a guy at Illinois with only median grades). You will be more than safe attending Illinois or Minnesota with your background if IP is what you want to do.

[JamMasterJ]

What's with the COA at Duke being only 25K more than UMN and Illinois?
If this is the case, I can't see a reason for not picking it, but the tuition difference between half and full is more like 60-75K. Just wondering what the difference is because even at half difference Duke is worth it and at only 25K more, it's not even a question

[lzyovrachievr]

What's with the COA at Duke being only 25K more than UMN and Illinois?
If this is the case, I can't see a reason for not picking it, but the tuition difference between half and full is more like 60-75K. Just wondering what the difference is because even at half difference Duke is worth it and at only 25K more, it's not even a question

I think this person means: COA UMN $60k, Illinois $60k, Duke $135k

[JamMasterJ]

What's with the COA at Duke being only 25K more than UMN and Illinois?
If this is the case, I can't see a reason for not picking it, but the tuition difference between half and full is more like 60-75K. Just wondering what the difference is because even at half difference Duke is worth it and at only 25K more, it's not even a question

I think this person means: COA UMN $60k, Illinois $60k, Duke $135k

Yeah, unless he has something that will pay room and board (external scholarship or savings)

[patrickd139]

Just based on the thread title, I cannot imagine someone turning down Duke on a $25k margin.

I'm also skeptical that's the choice we're presented with here.

[Sandro]

there needs to be a sticky on here to explain how to represent cost of attendance.

[canditiffany]

Sorry all. Yes, you are correct--the total cost of attendance for the 3 years is Minnesota 60K, Illinois 60K, Duke 135K. Sorry for the confusion.

[MyManKanye]

Well I'm in a similar boat (minus Duke) and I'm an undergrad ME at UIUC. U of I has things going on, most of them revolve around sports or drinking/partying though. From what I've heard of Duke that's similar. Twin cities is supposed to be a very nice place to live, but I don't know much about the school.

If you have any specific questions about the campus I'd be happy to help you. Also, you can live in Champaign on campus with a nice apartment for 600/month easy and down to 300-400 if you get 3-4 roommates. Off campus (which is what I'm looking at since the law buildings aren't really close to anywhere I'd want to live anyway) is about 1/2 to 2/3 the rent for a nice place. I figured my COL (minus school costs) at UIUC next year to be 9k-10k with a 500/month apartment and 200/month on food plus a few hundred a month play money.

EDIT: Just something I forgot. I know another engineer who graduated from UIUC and went to UIUC for IP law. He's starting this week at a boutique IP firm in Chicago. I don't know his class placement other than top half. He had weak softs. If you aren't trying to do IP at a biglaw firm I think you could really get a job anywhere in the midwest from all three schools. Might just be harder to find the employers at some schools.