Top Law Schools

Currently trying to decide between Duke ($) and BC ($$).

I'm from New England and hoping to work in Boston biglaw. I went to BC for undergrad, so I'm familiar with the area and the university.
However, Duke is T-14, and from what I hear would have decent job prospects in Boston.

COA:
Duke: ~175,000
BC: ~50,000
Will be financing law school with loans.

Wondering which would be a better choice. Any comments on T-14 prestige (Duke) vs. local ties+lower debt (BC)?

OP do you have any other options? Any scholarships at the lower t-14?

ND2018 wrote:OP do you have any other options? Any scholarships at the lower t-14?

yep, they got one at duke.

ETA:
To be helpful, from http://www.lstscorereports.com/national/jobs/2014/
Duke - 70.2% biglaw + FedClerkships
BC - 36.6% biglaw + FedClerkships

Duke should give you more/better job options. The question is whether it is worth attending for that much more $. I'd say go Duke, but I could see people going either way depending on personal circumstances. Good luck!

How good are your ties in Boston? If you didn't get big law out of bc would you have connections at some smaller/midsize places that would take you?

I think both options are defendable, it's just specific to what your Boston situation is like.

.

I think Duke is probably your best bet here, if as St. Nick said, the job is more important than the location. If not, then BC is perfectly defensible.

For your reference, to borrow $175k is a lot of money, even though I'm sure that's after you got a nice discount from Duke. If you only want to spend 15% of your income on servicing your debt, you'll have to make (magically lol) about $160k/year.

Thanks, everyone - this is very helpful. Biglaw is a priority for me over Boston. Still weighing my final decision, but leaning towards Duke at this point. Thanks!