Duke at $80k or Columbia at Sticker? Forum

[HarvardHopeful95]

Hey guys, I haven't gotten financial aid info for Columbia yet (so I don't know if I will have to go at sticker) but which is the better option? Duke with an 80K scholarship or sticker at Columbia? Just for some clarity, I'm not including cost of living or things like books in my price of either schools because that will be paid for by my parents. My goal after graduation is BigLaw

[lnsl123]

Big law where?

[grades??]

100% Duke

[HarvardHopeful95]

Big law where?

New York all the way

[UVA2B]

Big law where?

New York all the way

Duke unless near matching aid for Columbia.

[GOODWORKSTE]

Duke would get you in NY Big Law so Duke

[Dcc617]

Do not go to Columbia at sticker.

[Npret]

What's your actual debt at repayment going to be?

[HarvardHopeful95]

What's your actual debt at repayment going to be?

For Duke it would be 100k. For Columbia (if I had to go at sticker) it would be 195k

[jjcorvino]

What's your actual debt at repayment going to be?

For Duke it would be 100k. For Columbia (if I had to go at sticker) it would be 195k

Columbia at sticker is not $195k. It is $330k or so.

[Lavitz]

Columbia is not worth $100,000 more than Duke.

[HarvardHopeful95]

What's your actual debt at repayment going to be?

For Duke it would be 100k. For Columbia (if I had to go at sticker) it would be 195k

Columbia at sticker is not $195k. It is $330k or so.

Sticker for me would just be the tuition. My cost of living and all the other fees will be covered by my parents like I said in the original post.

[HarvardHopeful95]

When I get my financial aid from Columbia, should I try to negotiate with the Duke scholarship if Columbia gives me less? Would Columbia budge for Duke?

[Clemenceau]

When I get my financial aid from Columbia, should I try to negotiate with the Duke scholarship if Columbia gives me less? Would Columbia budge for Duke?

Almost certainly wouldn't match, but might throw you something. Certainly worth a shot.

[Pragmatic Gun]

Columbia is not worth $100,000 more than Duke.

[dabigchina]

When I get my financial aid from Columbia, should I try to negotiate with the Duke scholarship if Columbia gives me less? Would Columbia budge for Duke?

They didn't budge for me a couple of years ago but you can try.

[HarvardHopeful95]

Columbia is not worth $100,000 more than Duke.

Crisis averted. I got a 50% scholarship at Columbia

[Npret]

Columbia is not worth $100,000 more than Duke.

Crisis averted. I got a 50% scholarship at Columbia

Congrats! So does that make it cheaper than Duke now?

[HarvardHopeful95]

Columbia is not worth $100,000 more than Duke.

Crisis averted. I got a 50% scholarship at Columbia

Congrats! So does that make it cheaper than Duke now?

Yeah, all in all it will be cheaper than Duke. I was surprised that they gave me more money than Duke and 3x more than Chicago. I was preparing myself to have to move to Durham lol

[Npret]

Columbia is not worth $100,000 more than Duke.

Crisis averted. I got a 50% scholarship at Columbia

Congrats! So does that make it cheaper than Duke now?

Yeah, all in all it will be cheaper than Duke. I was surprised that they gave me more money than Duke and 3x more than Chicago. I was preparing myself to have to move to Durham lol

That's great. So glad it worked out for you.

[HarvardHopeful95]

Columbia is not worth $100,000 more than Duke.

Crisis averted. I got a 50% scholarship at Columbia

Congrats! So does that make it cheaper than Duke now?

Yeah, all in all it will be cheaper than Duke. I was surprised that they gave me more money than Duke and 3x more than Chicago. I was preparing myself to have to move to Durham lol

That's great. So glad it worked out for you.

Thanks so much!

[Hikikomorist]

Have you gone back to Duke with that offer?

[ernie]

Columbia half-ride is a good outcome, but I agree that you should go back to the negotiating table with Duke.

[HarvardHopeful95]

I haven't gone back to Duke. I have already put down my seat deposit for Columbia. My total debt will only be around 100k which will be more than manageable on a big law salary and I think that Columbia is the best place for me to be.

[Anastasia Dee Dualla]

As a heads up (and setting aside the false assumption that you are certain to get Biglaw), paying off $100K in student loans is also not a laughing matter; especially with NYC rent etc. If you hadn't already seat deposited, I would have encouraged you to go back to both Chicago and Duke to negotiate toward a full ride. However, what's done is done.

Congratulations on getting into those three great schools and best of luck!