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Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:20 pm
by Northeast
I decided to take the no debt option at UNC (full ride and parents will cover CoL) over 40% tuition at ND which would leave me in around 50K of debt and a 50% scholarship at W&M leaving me in 30K of debt upon graduation.
I would love to get DC but I heard it would be tough from any of the 3 schools? Am I making a poor decision?
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:22 pm
by jtemp320
Very good decision - you are not an idiot at all
DC would require top top grades from any of those schools or a lot of luck in networking - UNC with no debt is a great deal - not having to make those payments will be a big deal for you and take a lot of pressure off.
Also I've heard Chapel Hill is a good college town - if you like North Carolina and will be happy going to school there and probably practicing there you absolutely made the right decision.
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:25 pm
by Law Sauce
not an idiot
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:29 pm
by KMaine
This is easily the best option you have.
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:32 pm
by crit_racer
I would have taken W&M. 30k debt is nothing and could be paid back easily. And it places *better* in your desired market.
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:34 pm
by Z3RO
Not an idiot. I'm normally one of the "best school you can get into" people, but having 0 debt coming out of school opens so many doors, plus you don't have to do laundry.
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:35 pm
by Northeast
crit_racer wrote:I would have taken W&M. 30k debt is nothing and could be paid back easily. And it places *better* in your desired market.
You are right, however, after looking at placements I felt that I would have to finish at the top at UNC or W&M to get DC. MY second option would be NC over VA.
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:38 pm
by TheFactor
Law Sauce wrote:not an idiot
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:42 pm
by Northeast
I am feeling good. Any more thoughts?
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 2:47 pm
by snapdragon
Northeast wrote:I am feeling good. Any more thoughts?
You're absolutely not an idiot.
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 3:07 pm
by fatduck
you am not an idiot
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 3:08 pm
by Slevin Kelevra 2011
Not an idiot. Keeping your debt down is important from any of the schools you mentioned, none of which place well into biglaw and will likely get you a midlaw position or good gov't position. Very smart decision.
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 3:17 pm
by bhan87
Good decision. DC is tough to get, but you'll have options in NC and the zero debt aspect will make your life a whole lot easier when you graduate
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 3:23 pm
by jtemp320
Northeast wrote:crit_racer wrote:I would have taken W&M. 30k debt is nothing and could be paid back easily. And it places *better* in your desired market.
You are right, however, after looking at placements I felt that I would have to finish at the top at UNC or W&M to get DC. MY second option would be NC over VA.
Wise
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 4:49 pm
by Northeast
Thanks to TLS for making this feel right. I hope I do not look back and regret it but right now zero debt sounds great.
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:47 pm
by solotee
Not an idiot. I can put you in contact with a few people I know got DC big law from UNC (some on TLS)
Re: Tell me I am not an idiot, or am I an idiot??
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:52 pm
by flcath
Not an idiot.
Though if you'd ask me to guess what total CoA a 40% scholarship at ND would leave you with, I'd guess around $90K.
So you may be even less of an idiot than you initially thought.