W&M (45K debt) vs Duke (160K debt)? Forum

bubbletea · Post by **bubbletea** » Tue May 31, 2011 3:15 pm

I don't want to be tied down to a job I hate to pay off student loans (fear if I go to Duke), but I also want to have geographic mobility since I'm not sure where I want to end up (fear of being limited to VA/DC area of I choose W&M).

Is it true that being in the top 1/4 of the class at W&M translates into similar employment opportunities as being in the top 1/2 at Duke?

Exeter · Post by **Exeter** » Tue May 31, 2011 3:17 pm

Did Duke give you your spot back?

tothePAIN · Post by **tothePAIN** » Tue May 31, 2011 3:23 pm

Yes, according to the other thread, he has today to send in his deposit for Duke.

Exeter · Post by **Exeter** » Tue May 31, 2011 3:29 pm

You do not deserve Duke. You had a 166/3.8 and you were handed a fucking gift. TAKE DUKE.

TheFactor · Post by **TheFactor** » Tue May 31, 2011 3:41 pm

bubbletea wrote:Is it true that being in the top 1/4 of the class at W&M translates into similar employment opportunities as being in the top 1/2 at Duke?

Yes. Unless you have a guaranteed job lined up after you graduate, I think Duke is TCR here.

protein · Post by **protein** » Tue May 31, 2011 4:06 pm

Exeter wrote:Did Duke give you your spot back?

what's the backstory behind this?

bubbletea · Post by **bubbletea** » Tue May 31, 2011 4:56 pm

Didn't want to take on debt so didn't send in a seat deposit for Duke on time....but am now reconsidering and they gave me until June 1 to submit the $$$

Not sure where I want to practice or what specifically I want to do, although I'm leaning against public service...

NYC Law · Post by **NYC Law** » Tue May 31, 2011 5:01 pm

Instead of making a horrible decision, why not take some time off, make sure law is what you really want to do, and if it is reapply and go to Duke.

ETA: Seriously dude, you don't want public interest, you aren't sure if you'll be happy in big law or even as a lawyer... Why are you even going to law school? It sounds like you just want someplace to chill for free for 3 years, in which case, don't go.

protein · Post by **protein** » Tue May 31, 2011 5:36 pm

bubbletea wrote:Didn't want to take on debt so didn't send in a seat deposit for Duke on time....but am now reconsidering and they gave me until June 1 to submit the $$$

Not sure where I want to practice or what specifically I want to do, although I'm leaning against public service...

If you go to Duke:
Biglaw
or
PI with solid LRAP

win win

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue May 31, 2011 5:45 pm

Duke, but keep in mind Duke probably isn't going to open up a ton of geographic options for you over W&M just by virtue of being a T14. NY for sure, a better shot at DC, and maybe ATL. It will make it probably easier to get jobs in the places you already have ties over W&M.

bubbletea · Post by **bubbletea** » Tue May 31, 2011 8:01 pm

Does W&M have any cred as a national school or is it strictly regional? I thought that maybe the fact that W&M is the oldest law school would give it at least good name recognition at big firms. Earlier I was tempted to go to Cardozo and one of the major drawbacks seemed to be the young age of the school. The GPA/LSAT scores of Cardozo are comparable to T20-T30 schools, yet it ranks 50th.

bk1 · Post by **bk1** » Tue May 31, 2011 8:02 pm

bubbletea wrote:Does W&M have any cred as a national school or is it strictly regional?

Regional.

fingersxd · Post by **fingersxd** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:50 pm

NYC Law wrote:Instead of making a horrible decision, why not take some time off, make sure law is what you really want to do, and if it is reapply and go to Duke.

ETA: Seriously dude, you don't want public interest, you aren't sure if you'll be happy in big law or even as a lawyer... Why are you even going to law school? It sounds like you just want someplace to chill for free for 3 years, in which case, don't go.

This seems like pretty sound advice. OP, what did you decide?

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