Duke or Cornell Forum
-
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:17 pm
Duke or Cornell
Overall, which is the better one to attend if one wants to go into private practice? The employment stats seem pretty similar between them, though there are fluctuations from year to year.
Can anyone weigh in on the pros an cons of each school? Is there anyone attending either school who can chime in?
Can anyone weigh in on the pros an cons of each school? Is there anyone attending either school who can chime in?
- gaud
- Posts: 5765
- Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2011 2:58 am
Re: Duke or Cornell
Where do you want to work? COA at each?
If the South, then Duke. If NYC, then Cornell.
If the South, then Duke. If NYC, then Cornell.
-
- Posts: 3727
- Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 2:23 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
Duke. It provides more opportunities outside of NYC and has better weather. It's also a more respected school within the legal world.
The differences aren't huge though, so if you have any scholarship differences they probably outweigh the relatively minor considerations of prestige.
The differences aren't huge though, so if you have any scholarship differences they probably outweigh the relatively minor considerations of prestige.
Last edited by bdubs on Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Tom Joad
- Posts: 4526
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:56 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
Depends on where you are from and want to work in the future.wot1990 wrote:Overall, which is the better one to attend if one wants to go into private practice? The employment stats seem pretty similar between them, though there are fluctuations from year to year.
Can anyone weigh in on the pros an cons of each school? Is there anyone attending either school who can chime in?
- johansantana21
- Posts: 855
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 7:11 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
lolokbdubs wrote:Duke. It provides more opportunities outside of NYC and has better weather. It's also a more respected school within the legal world.
The differences aren't huge though, so if you have any scholarship differences they probably outweigh the relatively minor considerations of prestige.
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
- FlanAl
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:53 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
thats definitely debatable. no one really hates cornell that much. yeah there is that dude from the office but seriously some people really hate duke, like a lot. One of the attorneys I talked to when I was looking at schools told me that he just wouldn't hire anyone from there, straight up. I'm sure this bias isn't a huge deal but you should try to get a feel for the market you want and how they feel about the two schools.bdubs wrote:Duke. It provides more opportunities outside of NYC and has better weather. It's also a more respected school within the legal world.
- IAFG
- Posts: 6641
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:26 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
It doesn't matter based on your disclosed goals.
- KMaine
- Posts: 862
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:57 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
It has not been my experience that Duke is more respected in the legal world. Go where you want to go. I liked Duke better (weather, architecture), but decided to go to Cornell because of $. I have been happy here. Maybe an edge to Cornell if you want Northeast, Duke if you want DC or anywhere South. Not really sure though.
- quakeroats
- Posts: 1397
- Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:34 am
Re: Duke or Cornell
Duke offers great placement in New York and the rest of the country. You won't be competing against a majority of the class gunning for one market. Columbia, NYU, and Penn overcome this weakness with their proximity to the city. Cornell is 4 hours away and there's no convenient way to shorten the trip. Also Ithaca is in the middle of nowhere. It's at least an hour's drive to anything. Durham is in the center of several cities with a total population approaching 3 million. Plus the weather in Ithaca has to be seen to be believed. It's 52 right now in Durham. It's 26 in Ithaca with snow tomorrow. The average low doesn't get out of the 30s until May. They get almost 6 feet of snow a year, we rarely get more than 7 or 8 inches.
- IAFG
- Posts: 6641
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:26 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
Why would this have any impact on their placement?!quakeroats wrote:Duke offers great placement in New York and the rest of the country. You won't be competing against a majority of the class gunning for one market. Columbia, NYU, and Penn overcome this weakness with their proximity to the city. Cornell is 4 hours away and there's no convenient way to shorten the trip.
-
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:17 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
Is there any data out there that would suggest this? I understand that Cornell places a lot in NYC, but this does not necessarily mean that a Cornell grad will fair worse than a corresponding Duke grad in markets outside of NYC.bdubs wrote:Duke. It provides more opportunities outside of NYC and has better weather. It's also a more respected school within the legal world.
The differences aren't huge though, so if you have any scholarship differences they probably outweigh the relatively minor considerations of prestige.
- IAFG
- Posts: 6641
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:26 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
No, there's no reason to believe or disbelieve it since no data controls for self-selection.wot1990 wrote:Is there any data out there that would suggest this? I understand that Cornell places a lot in NYC, but this does not necessarily mean that a Cornell grad will fair worse than a corresponding Duke grad in markets outside of NYC.bdubs wrote:Duke. It provides more opportunities outside of NYC and has better weather. It's also a more respected school within the legal world.
The differences aren't huge though, so if you have any scholarship differences they probably outweigh the relatively minor considerations of prestige.
- stewie27
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 12:46 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
I chose Duke, but Cornell was a school I seriously considered. The decision came down to a) slightly more money from Duke/I think COA is slightly cheaper here, b) not aiming to work in NY after, c) location: Durham is easier to get to, closer to DC where my SO lives. (The weather of Ithaca didn't really scare me away since I grew up in a cold place. However, I have to admit the winters here in NC are kind of awesome, so that might be a factor for you) d) overall "fit"- I liked Duke after I went to ASW.
I'd say wait for money decisions if they haven't happened yet and visit both if you haven't already. Feel free to PM if you have any Duke questions.
I'd say wait for money decisions if they haven't happened yet and visit both if you haven't already. Feel free to PM if you have any Duke questions.
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- beachbum
- Posts: 2758
- Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:35 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
This decision should be made exclusively upon relative cost and personal fit. Either school will get you to NYC; neither school will get you to a region in which you don't have ties. Visit both and decide from there; in terms of general placement power, you're pretty much looking at the same school.
- FlanAl
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:53 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
Just because there are a lot of people doesn't mean its better. Ithaca has its own currency and holds the record for the worlds largest human peace sign! I think stewie has it right, you should definitely wait until money comes out and visit each. BUT if you're into hippie shit, Ithaca has few rivals.quakeroats wrote: Durham is in the center of several cities with a total population approaching 3 million.
-
- Posts: 3727
- Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 2:23 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
I'm not saying that USNews reputation scores and rankings are the be all, end all, but they support the contention that Duke has a slight edge over Cornell.FlanAl wrote:thats definitely debatable. no one really hates cornell that much. yeah there is that dude from the office but seriously some people really hate duke, like a lot. One of the attorneys I talked to when I was looking at schools told me that he just wouldn't hire anyone from there, straight up. I'm sure this bias isn't a huge deal but you should try to get a feel for the market you want and how they feel about the two schools.bdubs wrote:Duke. It provides more opportunities outside of NYC and has better weather. It's also a more respected school within the legal world.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=150457
Also, Duke placed 2x more students in Art. III clerkships last year than Cornell did.
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... s-rankings
-
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:12 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
I would go with Duke. It wins on quality of life as well as on academic reputation. Plus, let's face it: you don't want to live in Ithica.
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:24 am
Re: Duke or Cornell
I'm actually in a similar situation here, except for the fact that I prefer a job in public interest. So I'm basically going to whichever that gives me more money. my 2 cents.
- FlanAl
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:53 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
personal preference but i'd take ithaca any day. i spent about a month at duke. durham's cool but Ithaca is more liberal, has better restaurants AND is walkable.econenthusiast09 wrote:I would go with Duke. It wins on quality of life as well as on academic reputation. Plus, let's face it: you don't want to live in Ithica.
- IAFG
- Posts: 6641
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:26 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
I think the LRAP plans are far more important than "more money," which should actually be OP's focus.Guillaume9 wrote:I'm actually in a similar situation here, except for the fact that I prefer a job in public interest. So I'm basically going to whichever that gives me more money. my 2 cents.
- beachbum
- Posts: 2758
- Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:35 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
In fairness, it also has soul-crushing weather.FlanAl wrote:personal preference but i'd take ithaca any day. i spent about a month at duke. durham's cool but Ithaca is more liberal, has better restaurants AND is walkable.econenthusiast09 wrote:I would go with Duke. It wins on quality of life as well as on academic reputation. Plus, let's face it: you don't want to live in Ithica.
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- beachbum
- Posts: 2758
- Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:35 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
Sure, this winter's been pretty mild everywhere. But in general, Ithaca ain't exactly Key West.KMaine wrote:Not this winter.
-
- Posts: 9807
- Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:53 pm
- KMaine
- Posts: 862
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:57 pm
Re: Duke or Cornell
No, it isn't. Honestly, weather was one of the reasons that I considered choosing Duke over Cornell. In the end, it was a minor consideration. The neighborhood I live in here in Ithaca is pretty nice, and the weather is not a big deal.beachbum wrote:Sure, this winter's been pretty mild everywhere. But in general, Ithaca ain't exactly Key West.KMaine wrote:Not this winter.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login