Local Duke or Other T14 Forum
- anarkali
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:03 pm
Local Duke or Other T14
Hi, I just wanted to get people's advice on what I should do.
Right now I still haven't heard from NYU or Penn.
I am currently mainly deciding between Duke ($60,000 scholarship) and Michigan ($54,000 scholarship). Both of these schools would come out to cost about $156k for me before interest.
As a NC resident who attended a NC undergrad, I am considering attending Duke but I am worried that this will make it seem to employers that I am intent on staying in NC. After graduation I would really like to end up in NYC biglaw. Would attending Duke be a mistake?
Because Michigan has a larger law school, would the alumni be more or less helpful than Duke's?
Would other people in my situation pick NYU or Penn at sticker over Duke or Michigan with scholarship?
Right now I still haven't heard from NYU or Penn.
I am currently mainly deciding between Duke ($60,000 scholarship) and Michigan ($54,000 scholarship). Both of these schools would come out to cost about $156k for me before interest.
As a NC resident who attended a NC undergrad, I am considering attending Duke but I am worried that this will make it seem to employers that I am intent on staying in NC. After graduation I would really like to end up in NYC biglaw. Would attending Duke be a mistake?
Because Michigan has a larger law school, would the alumni be more or less helpful than Duke's?
Would other people in my situation pick NYU or Penn at sticker over Duke or Michigan with scholarship?
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- Posts: 77
- Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:59 am
Re: Local Duke or Other T14
Duke just seems so much more logical based on your financial situation and local ties. However, if you have $ to burn (personal savings, parents helping, etc) then just go for Michigan. Also, are you so local to Duke that you could live at home to save $$? If you want to stay out of debt, that might be an idea to consider.
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
If you have money to burn you should go to a school with worse biglaw placement, if you want to do NYC Biglaw? No.hopingtogetin wrote:Duke just seems so much more logical based on your financial situation and local ties. However, if you have $ to burn (personal savings, parents helping, etc) then just go for Michigan. Also, are you so local to Duke that you could live at home to save $$? If you want to stay out of debt, that might be an idea to consider.

OP, I voted for Duke and I see it's running away. If you've lived in NC for 20 years you'll probably get asked about your ties to the state, regardless of whether or not you left for 3 to attend Michigan.
Duke sounds like a great choice for you here, congrats.
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
I think Duke is the hands down winner over Michigan considering you want NYC big law. I also think its the best choice here regardless.
- romothesavior
- Posts: 14692
- Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:29 pm
Re: Local Duke or Other T14
Duke is probably the winner but that's still a heck of a lot of dough.
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
Had the exact same decision. The same money and schools. Chose duke. Really happy with my decision.
- somewhatwayward
- Posts: 1442
- Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:10 pm
Re: Local Duke or Other T14
Duke is too expensive for you (but Michigan's worse), but Duke has significantly outplaced Michigan in big law for multiple years in a row. Duke is the best choice but I think you should try to get the cost reduced.
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
Came here expecting this to be a royalty v. law school thread. Leaving disappointed.
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
His COA for duke of 156k before interest is high. Duke has non-tuition expense estimated at 22.3k. You should be able to live much more cheaply than that. Money is available for 1L/2L public interest jobs if you do some public service hours during the year. If you land big law, you can also put a decent chunk to loans. Still may be too much, depending on your risk aversion, but I doubt you'll get much more else where with your numbers.somewhatwayward wrote:Duke is too expensive for you (but Michigan's worse), but Duke has significantly outplaced Michigan in big law for multiple years in a row. Duke is the best choice but I think you should try to get the cost reduced.
- jbagelboy
- Posts: 10361
- Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 7:57 pm
Re: Local Duke or Other T14
I wouldn't focus on how the best option is still too expensive. how is that helpful advice since the alternatives are even more expensive? getting $60K+reduced CoL to duke is way more than most, esp. considering half the class will pay sticker.somewhatwayward wrote:Duke is too expensive for you (but Michigan's worse), but Duke has significantly outplaced Michigan in big law for multiple years in a row. Duke is the best choice but I think you should try to get the cost reduced.
I vote Duke, and I think its a great option if you are okay with living in NC for a few more years!
- anarkali
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:03 pm
Re: Local Duke or Other T14
Thanks so much for the input, everyone!
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
I turned down 60k at Duke to attend outside of the t14. It's a lot of money, and take a look at what your payments will be. To me a 60-70% chance of big law/art iii is not worth it, when you can get these outcomes by performing well at much cheaper schools.romothesavior wrote:Duke is probably the winner but that's still a heck of a lot of dough.
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
Where did you end up and at what price?Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:I turned down 60k at Duke to attend outside of the t14. It's a lot of money, and take a look at what your payments will be. To me a 60-70% chance of big law/art iii is not worth it, when you can get these outcomes by performing well at much cheaper schools.romothesavior wrote:Duke is probably the winner but that's still a heck of a lot of dough.
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
I'm at a t50 with a named scholarship (free tuition, books, small stipend). My debt at graduation will be essentially zero bc I have paying firm work this summer and I expect that I will next summer.BigZuck wrote:Where did you end up and at what price?Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:I turned down 60k at Duke to attend outside of the t14. It's a lot of money, and take a look at what your payments will be. To me a 60-70% chance of big law/art iii is not worth it, when you can get these outcomes by performing well at much cheaper schools.romothesavior wrote:Duke is probably the winner but that's still a heck of a lot of dough.
- Skye
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:51 pm
Re: Local Duke or Other T14
If Michigan offered $56K, I figure that Penn will come close to that figure. In that case Penn would be your best shot at NYC BL. NYU is also a good choice, except NYC COL is exorbitant.
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
While it is true that the outcomes can be achieved from lower ranked schools, you cannot guarantee better performance at a lower ranked school.Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:I turned down 60k at Duke to attend outside of the t14. It's a lot of money, and take a look at what your payments will be. To me a 60-70% chance of big law/art iii is not worth it, when you can get these outcomes by performing well at much cheaper schools.romothesavior wrote:Duke is probably the winner but that's still a heck of a lot of dough.
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
I'd go to Duke, but would go to NYU or Penn instead if they give you any money (which they probably won't since neither really consider Duke or Michigan peers for scholarship negotiation, AFAIK).
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Re: Local Duke or Other T14
I lol'dDesert Fox wrote:Came here expecting this to be a royalty v. law school thread. Leaving disappointed.
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