Duke ($) vs. ND ($$$) vs. WUSTL ($$$) Forum

[jpalc23]

First time poster. My top three options right now are WUSTL with a full tuition scholarship, versus Duke with partial scholarship of $75,000 over 3 years, versus ND with $120,000 scholly which i may try to negotiate to full tuition. I haven't been accepted into any other T-14 yet. My wife will be covering most of COL; otherwise, I'll be taking out loans, yielding about $5000 debt at WUSTL versus $80,000 debt at Duke.

Grew up in Ohio, went to college in Indiana. On the one hand, I value proximity to my family and that of my wife, who is also from the Midwest. On the other, part of me really wants to get out of there for a while.

I am also conflicted with respect to career goals-- a federal clerkship is ideal but not necessary; I like the salary of BigLaw and the doors it opens as far as exit options, but am worried about maintaining a reasonable work-family balance. Long-term, I want my work to be impactful and interesting, while providing a high enough salary to support a family with a stay-at-home mom.

I've taken the LSAT twice (167, 169) with a 3.8 GPA.

Your help is appreciated.

[nebula666]

Duke for $80k is an incredible deal. Go to Duke.

[The Dark Shepard]

I came in expecting Duke with no scholly, but Duke with that? You have to take it

[aboutmydaylight]

Duke seems to be TCR for tons of people this cycle. Seems to bode well for their adcomms.

[ndirish2010]

Duke.