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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 3:15 pm
by bubbletea
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?

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 3:17 pm
by Exeter
Did Duke give you your spot back?

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 3:23 pm
by tothePAIN
Yes, according to the other thread, he has today to send in his deposit for Duke.

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 3:29 pm
by Exeter
You do not deserve Duke. You had a 166/3.8 and you were handed a fucking gift. TAKE DUKE.

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 3:41 pm
by TheFactor
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.

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 4:06 pm
by protein
Exeter wrote:Did Duke give you your spot back?
what's the backstory behind this?

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 4:56 pm
by bubbletea
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...

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 5:01 pm
by NYC Law
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.

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 5:36 pm
by protein
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

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 5:45 pm
by Grizz
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.

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:01 pm
by bubbletea
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.

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

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:02 pm
by bk1
bubbletea wrote:Does W&M have any cred as a national school or is it strictly regional?
Regional.

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

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:50 pm
by fingersxd
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?