Top Law Schools

So, I am deciding between UPenn and Duke. Both gave me some scholarship money. At graduation, I'd have $139,800.00 debt at Duke and $172,296.00 debt at UPenn.

My family lives in central PA, about an hour train ride from Philly. I'd like to work in Big Law in the Northeast. If I land in a secondary market, Philadelphia would be preferable to anywhere else due to family ties.

I visited both, and liked both. It seemed like the quality of apartments I could afford in Durham would be much nicer, but I am attracted to the city aspect of Philly (I lived in a similar city in undergrad). If the money wasn't an issue, I'd obviously pick UPenn. Is the difference in debt significant enough to swing things toward Duke?

$140k vs. $173k, you're from PA and you want to work in the northeast or Philly? I think Penn is the clear choice here.

30k for better placement prospects, alone, would justify Penn, for me. Given your ties and preferences, I feel that Penn is the easy pick.

You want Philly? GO PENN!!!

I'm jealous

Do you like basketball or football? Penn has looked pretty good in light of the Joe Pa situation.

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Penn is almost guaranteed Biglaw if you don't screw it up. Not so much from Duke. Easy decision in my opinion.

californiauser wrote:Do you like basketball or football? Penn has looked pretty good in light of the Joe Pa situation.

Not Penn State

OP here.

Thanks everyone for the feedback (except Californiauser, since I grew up a PSU fan and I'm still not over the Sandusky scandal, it id definitely TOO SOON). To clarify, I'd prefer NYC Biglaw to Philly, but if I'd prefer Philly over a random place like Atlanta for instance. My gut was telling me UPenn, but the difference in scholarship is more than I make in a year pre-taxes currently, so I can't take it lightly.

The Bean wrote:OP here.

Thanks everyone for the feedback (except Californiauser, since I grew up a PSU fan and I'm still not over the Sandusky scandal, it id definitely TOO SOON). To clarify, I'd prefer NYC Biglaw to Philly, but if I'd prefer Philly over a random place like Atlanta for instance. My gut was telling me UPenn, but the difference in scholarship is more than I make in a year pre-taxes currently, so I can't take it lightly.

Oh you want NY? Go to Penn.

Have you already negotiated for more scholarship money?

North wrote:

The Bean wrote:OP here.

Thanks everyone for the feedback (except Californiauser, since I grew up a PSU fan and I'm still not over the Sandusky scandal, it id definitely TOO SOON). To clarify, I'd prefer NYC Biglaw to Philly, but if I'd prefer Philly over a random place like Atlanta for instance. My gut was telling me UPenn, but the difference in scholarship is more than I make in a year pre-taxes currently, so I can't take it lightly.

Oh you want NY? Go to Penn.

Have you already negotiated for more scholarship money?

Yup. Penn responded suggesting it wasn't impossible, but haven't heard back since.

The Bean wrote:

North wrote:

The Bean wrote:OP here.

Thanks everyone for the feedback (except Californiauser, since I grew up a PSU fan and I'm still not over the Sandusky scandal, it id definitely TOO SOON). To clarify, I'd prefer NYC Biglaw to Philly, but if I'd prefer Philly over a random place like Atlanta for instance. My gut was telling me UPenn, but the difference in scholarship is more than I make in a year pre-taxes currently, so I can't take it lightly.

Oh you want NY? Go to Penn.

Have you already negotiated for more scholarship money?

Yup. Penn responded suggesting it wasn't impossible, but haven't heard back since.

Keep pressing and don't deposit until you have to, but Penn is the the school for you bro.

Penn's not going to match that difference with just a Duke offer, but it's still easily worth it for you since with your PA ties + Penn you'll open Philly firms up as a plausible additional market. Your ties probably aren't good enough to get back from Duke. NYC is probably an easier market to bid from Penn than Philly for most people though.

Penn and it's not close.

Yeah you're going to Penn bro.