... Forum

[PARTY]

...

[Bronck]

It depends on what your other options are. Have you been admitted anywhere else with scholarship money?

[PARTY]

...

[Bronck]

It's really useless to be working with hypotheticals here... and you shouldn't think of your law school decision in a vacuum.

And for what it's worth, I personally wouldn't go to Duke at sticker.

[PARTY]

...

[bk1]

T14's (especially lower T14's) at sticker are basically coinflips in my mind. They are also fairly interchangeable (with edges to various ones if you have a preference for that school's market). They probably aren't sound financial decisions (especially if you can get a large or nearly full scholarship to a strong regional school in your preferred region), but if you want biglaw you don't really have a choice to go anywhere else.

If you're okay with a 200k+ coinflip then take a lower T14 at sticker. As for Duke specifically, if you want to work in the South then it's a better idea than other lower T14's. If you want to work in Chicago then NU, if you want NYC then maybe Cornell (however T14's in general place into NYC primarily), etc. If you have no location preference, then pick the one you like the best.

[PARTY]

...

[bobbyh1919]

It's not a coin flip I personally would take. $200,000 is a potentially crushing amount of debt. Anyone who gets into Duke is probably getting decent scholarships at schools ranked between 15-25. I would probably pursue those options before taking the leap at Duke.

[johansantana21]

I took this coin flip. After 1st semester, I still kind of regret it (it has nothing to do with grades). It just limits you to biglaw or a bust mentality that I regret.

[PARTY]

...

[83947368]

.

[bobbyh1919]

I feel like some of the replies ITT go against TLS wisdom. I'm a 0L but I'm afraid of going to a "strong regional school" now. I probably would have gone if I hadn't gotten into a T13 but having the choice between the two, I don't think I could take the (larger) leap of faith in attending a school ranked 17-30. But that's just me.

I was thinking whatever numbers would get an acceptance at Duke probably would be good for a nice scholly at BU, BC, ND, etc. It's a pretty close call though. As has already been mentioned, going T14 at sticker limits your options because you have to pay off that debt.

[83947368]

.

[83947368]

.

[craygar]

I would still go for a T13 over a lower ranked school for more debt. If you look at the employment data, it just seems worth it to me.

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 1&t=150681

Thats the 2009 data and while there is definitely a downturn at 2010 at the legal market took its depest plunge, every single t14 school has a better overall placement than the schools ranked in the t30. They also seem to have a higher median salary. Admittedly Vandy is close to the 50% mark that Duke generally places in big law, but other than that (and USC) you are dropping off 10 percentage points at least between Duke and the next highest school.

I am struggling with this as well. But with the LRAP at Duke, which helps ensure that if you dont have big law you will have help paying off your debt, i wouldnt turn up a t13 for a non-t13 school. Also, if you are looking at clerkships, Duke places between pretty highly (i think anywhere from 4th to 8th depending on the year), so i think duke is a great choice. Its definitely true that debt is terrible, especially huge amounts of debt. I think it is worth it for Duke or another t13, even a lower ranked t13 in order to have a better job placements opportunity.

If there is another t13 whose location you like better, go for it. Otherwise take Duke and dont look back. If you want to do Big Law, you'll be able to pay off your debt. If you don't, use their LRAP.

[83947368]

.

[BarbellDreams]

Its a coinflip I would take because Duke places very very well in biglaw (Over 50% last year I believe). But we really need to know the other options. For example, if you wanted to practice in, lets say Atlanta. You had a full ride to UGA I would take that easily over Duke at sticker. Also career aspirations play a role. If you are biglaw "I NEED to make 6 figures to fell worthy" or bust, then your hands are tied.

[Bronck]

Its a coinflip I would take because Duke places very very well in biglaw (Over 50% last year I believe). But we really need to know the other options. For example, if you wanted to practice in, lets say Atlanta. You had a full ride to UGA I would take that easily over Duke at sticker. Also career aspirations play a role. If you are biglaw "I NEED to make 6 figures to fell worthy" or bust, then your hands are tied.

Granted, the data is out of date, but the latest NLJ data had them at below 40%

[gaud]

I'd take it. but they said no to me lol

[PARTY]

...

[instantwonton]

If you're looking at quality of life along with it, Duke would definitely be a great school. I would probably go to Duke if I were in your position (although Penn and/or NYU could change that)!

[BarbellDreams]

If you got any money at all out of Vandy (leverage Duke's acceptance?) I would go there easily. I think Vandy is arguably the most underrated school in the nation.

[PARTY]

...