2 Hours to Decide - Chicago vs. Duke
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 2:51 pm
As the title implies, I have roughly 2 hours to decide between these two schools. Scholarship info changed at the last minute so I'm making a second post.
I'm primarily interested in practicing in a secondary southeastern market. At the same time, I'm also entertaining the idea of DC Biglaw, academia, clerkships, prestigious public interest, etc. (if my grades allow). If I had to say, I'm 80% interested in working in a secondary southeastern market (where I have a lot of connections) and 20% interested in working somewhere else. If I strike out at big law firms in my home market (assuming that's the path I decide on), I would much rather work at a larger firm in a primary market than write wills or focus on $99 divorce cases in my secondary market.
After scholarships, cost of living, etc. are taken into account, I'm looking at taking out $200k in loans to attend UChicago and $125k in loans to attend Duke. Personally, I like the feel of Chicago a little more. But it's hard weighing the $75k cost differential against increased clerkship placement, better big law placement, better academia, etc. Making things even more complicated is the fact that in my home market every attorney that I have spoken with has recommended going to Duke if it's $75k cheaper (they said it won't make a difference in hiring in my home market).
So TLS, can you give me some good advice?
Also please don't quote - I wrote this in maybe 2 minutes so I'll either delete or heavily edit later
I'm primarily interested in practicing in a secondary southeastern market. At the same time, I'm also entertaining the idea of DC Biglaw, academia, clerkships, prestigious public interest, etc. (if my grades allow). If I had to say, I'm 80% interested in working in a secondary southeastern market (where I have a lot of connections) and 20% interested in working somewhere else. If I strike out at big law firms in my home market (assuming that's the path I decide on), I would much rather work at a larger firm in a primary market than write wills or focus on $99 divorce cases in my secondary market.
After scholarships, cost of living, etc. are taken into account, I'm looking at taking out $200k in loans to attend UChicago and $125k in loans to attend Duke. Personally, I like the feel of Chicago a little more. But it's hard weighing the $75k cost differential against increased clerkship placement, better big law placement, better academia, etc. Making things even more complicated is the fact that in my home market every attorney that I have spoken with has recommended going to Duke if it's $75k cheaper (they said it won't make a difference in hiring in my home market).
So TLS, can you give me some good advice?
Also please don't quote - I wrote this in maybe 2 minutes so I'll either delete or heavily edit later