Durham vs. Ann Arbor Forum

[rjma88]

Has anywhere here visited both that could compare the two for me. Which one did you like better and was it a big difference? Obviously Durham has better weather but I'm not as concerned with that as much as the general vibe of the areas.

[Perch]

if you're considering going to school there, I would recommend you visit it first...

[Moral_Midgetry]

The only good thing about Durham is it's proximity to Chapel Hill. HTH.

[03121202698008]

I like AA better but I'm biased as I go to Michigan. The city is great, there is a surprising amount to do, and Detroit is surprisingly not shitty either. That said, I'd visit....and I'd let the school/$ have more sway. If you're thinking of Cooley in AA, I wouldn't even consider it.

[rjma88]

I like AA better but I'm biased as I go to Michigan. The city is great, there is a surprising amount to do, and Detroit is surprisingly not shitty either. That said, I'd visit....and I'd let the school/$ have more sway. If you're thinking of Cooley in AA, I wouldn't even consider it.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to get the time off to schedule visits this Spring. Both schools are offering similar $ (slightly more from Duke, but not a deal breaker) and both have their positives, so I'm pretty torn. I like the Lawyers Club and community aspect of Michigan, and I'm worried that Duke won't have that? And I like the fact that from what I hear Ann Arbor is a really cool place. Does anyone know how many Duke 1Ls have cars (been contemplating whether to take mine), since it seems more necessary in Durham than in Ann Arbor. I would prefer the weather and NC in general to Michigan, but I've never visited Ann Arbor and I hear good things from people that I know very well.

[03121202698008]

I like AA better but I'm biased as I go to Michigan. The city is great, there is a surprising amount to do, and Detroit is surprisingly not shitty either. That said, I'd visit....and I'd let the school/$ have more sway. If you're thinking of Cooley in AA, I wouldn't even consider it.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to get the time off to schedule visits this Spring. Both schools are offering similar $ (slightly more from Duke, but not a deal breaker) and both have their positives, so I'm pretty torn. I like the Lawyers Club and community aspect of Michigan, and I'm worried that Duke won't have that? And I like the fact that from what I hear Ann Arbor is a really cool place. Does anyone know how many Duke 1Ls have cars (been contemplating whether to take mine), since it seems more necessary in Durham than in Ann Arbor. I would prefer the weather and NC in general to Michigan, but I've never visited Ann Arbor and I hear good things from people that I know very well.

Between the two, I liked AA the most. Also, anecdotally from people I know, the student body at M is much closer. Michigan prides itself on it's low douche factor. People help each other all the time. When I've missed classes, people readily volunteer to send me notes, etc. The people I know at Duke...not so much.

As for weather, it's not that bad here. You'll be spending much more time in the LS and with fellow students than enjoying the weather. Especially 1L year...so I wouldn't let that be the determining factor.

Edit: This is a pretty big decision though. You can't fly up even on a weekend?

[rjma88]

Between the two, I liked AA the most. Also, anecdotally from people I know, the student body at M is much closer. Michigan prides itself on it's low douche factor. People help each other all the time. When I've missed classes, people readily volunteer to send me notes, etc. The people I know at Duke...not so much.

As for weather, it's not that bad here. You'll be spending much more time in the LS and with fellow students than enjoying the weather. Especially 1L year...so I wouldn't let that be the determining factor.

Good to know, you're the second person I've heard say that about Duke people. Granted, the other one is a current student at Michigan too. As a student coming from a big SEC school with a pretty high douche factor I'm kinda excited at the prospect of getting away from that. At the same time there are things I like about being in the South that are probably more available at Duke.

[boom_cs]

I work in Durham now and it is nothing to be happy about. I commute from Chapel Hill everyday so I don't have to live in the armpit of NC, and that says alot.

[NikaneOkie]

I have done visits to each school for, and on a scale of 1-10, in my opinion, AA is a 8, and Durham is a 3.

[tvt86]

I'm not a huge fan of Duke Law. However, I think many of these comments are being way too hard on Durham. I live here and I think it's a great town. Sure, Chapel Hill, just down the road, is much "nicer" than Durham. I've heard AA compared to CH on many occasions, so I'm sure that AA is much nicer than Durham too. But Durham isn't just a little college town. It has a lot going on all the time -- good bars that aren't just full of college students, some really outstanding restaurants, a theater that hosts some top plays and concerts, a nationally-renowned documentary film festival, not to mention the good old Durham Bulls.

When I first came to Durham, it seemed bleak. But it's one of those places that takes effort to get to know, but is extremely worth it once you too. It's not one of those pretty little college towns that instantly jumps out at you. It's a real community and it's a great one to be a part of.

[beachbum]

So many haterz in this thread. Durham definitely has the better weather but, while I haven't spent significant time in AA, most people around here seem to agree that Durham doesn't quite match up to AA. You'll need a car in Durham, not sure about in AA. Also, Duke has one of the most tightly-knit, non-douchey student bodies around. It probably isn't a good idea to get your information about a school's student body from students at a different/rival school.

[03121202698008]

So many haterz in this thread. Durham definitely has the better weather but, while I haven't spent significant time in AA, most people around here seem to agree that Durham doesn't quite match up to AA. You'll need a car in Durham, not sure about in AA. Also, Duke has one of the most tightly-knit, non-douchey student bodies around. It probably isn't a good idea to get your information about a school's student body from students at a different/rival school.

http://abovethelaw.com/douchiest-law-school-contest/

I rest my case.

[johndh]

Between the two, I liked AA the most. Also, anecdotally from people I know, the student body at M is much closer. Michigan prides itself on it's low douche factor. People help each other all the time. When I've missed classes, people readily volunteer to send me notes, etc. The people I know at Duke...not so much.

As for weather, it's not that bad here. You'll be spending much more time in the LS and with fellow students than enjoying the weather. Especially 1L year...so I wouldn't let that be the determining factor.

Good to know, you're the second person I've heard say that about Duke people. Granted, the other one is a current student at Michigan too. As a student coming from a big SEC school with a pretty high douche factor I'm kinda excited at the prospect of getting away from that. At the same time there are things I like about being in the South that are probably more available at Duke.

Honestly never had a problem getting notes at Duke or anything like that. The people are actually really nice and the high douche factor really comes from the undergrads more than the law students. That being said, if you can stand the cold weather AA is a great city and I would not have minded spending 3 years there.

[beachbum]

So many haterz in this thread. Durham definitely has the better weather but, while I haven't spent significant time in AA, most people around here seem to agree that Durham doesn't quite match up to AA. You'll need a car in Durham, not sure about in AA. Also, Duke has one of the most tightly-knit, non-douchey student bodies around. It probably isn't a good idea to get your information about a school's student body from students at a different/rival school.

http://abovethelaw.com/douchiest-law-school-contest/

I rest my case.

Shitty story, but it makes for a great avatar.

Also, if you seriously let an anonymous ATL poll influence your law school decision, you're probably an idiot.

[TarHeel11]

I live in Durham and have visited AA a number of times. My preference is Durham, but everyone's different.

Ann Arbor is a fantastic college town and if that's what you're looking for, go there. I'm sure others can extol its virtues.

Durham is a very funky, foodie town with a great music scene and a lot of interesting characters and diversity of people. You can definitely do Durham without a car -- there's a decent bus system and bike network -- but you'd probably want to have one, especially if you're planning to sneak over to Chapel Hill regularly. I'm not sure what else you're looking for, but I'm happy to answer any specific questions about Durham (but not Duke).

My fellow Tar Heel who described Durham as the "armpit of North Carolina" is sorely mistaken and I'm guessing has never been to Fayetteville, High Point, Winston-Salem, etc., which are far worse places to live.

[dr123]

I grew up in A2, dont really see what all the hype is about. Its pretty boring, imo.

[Meerkat Manor]

if you're from the south you'll probably like durham better. if you're not you'll probably like AA better

[D-hops]

I've lived in both cities and found Ann Arbor to be a MUCH better place to live.

[Moral_Midgetry]

Ever had a truck full of pigs drive by you on the highway? Notice the smell? Yep, that's what Durham smells like all the time.