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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?

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.

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.

If you have money to burn you should go to a school with worse biglaw placement, if you want to do NYC Biglaw? No.

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.

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.

Duke is probably the winner but that's still a heck of a lot of dough.

Had the exact same decision. The same money and schools. Chose duke. Really happy with my decision.

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.

Came here expecting this to be a royalty v. law school thread. Leaving disappointed.

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.

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.

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.

I vote Duke, and I think its a great option if you are okay with living in NC for a few more years!

Thanks so much for the input, everyone!

romothesavior wrote:Duke is probably the winner but that's still a heck of a lot of dough.

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.

Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:

romothesavior wrote:Duke is probably the winner but that's still a heck of a lot of dough.

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.

Where did you end up and at what price?

BigZuck wrote:

Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:

romothesavior wrote:Duke is probably the winner but that's still a heck of a lot of dough.

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.

Where did you end up and at what price?

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.

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.

Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:

romothesavior wrote:Duke is probably the winner but that's still a heck of a lot of dough.

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.

While it is true that the outcomes can be achieved from lower ranked schools, you cannot guarantee better performance at a lower ranked school.

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).

Desert Fox wrote:Came here expecting this to be a royalty v. law school thread. Leaving disappointed.

I lol'd