title says it all... is there any prestige or anything extra to be gained by going to Penn instead of Duke?

It feels like the logical answer is to go to Duke, but my instinct tells me that Penn is somehow better...

Certainly.


UPenn's Ivy League status does contribute to its prestige, and its strong alumni network often leads to valuable career opportunities, particularly in cities like New York. Additionally, the urban setting of Philadelphia might offer a different pace and array of opportunities compared to Durham. However, Duke also has its strengths, and its close-knit community in Durham can offer a supportive environment for your academic and personal growth.


Ultimately, both universities can lead to successful careers, but UPenn might provide a slight edge in terms of launching your career due to its Ivy League status.

[Edited by Michael P. on Mar 30, 2024]

Penn isn't all that great- the IVY league brand name means zilch. Since you have a scholarship from Duke, I would strongly suggest you go ahead with that

title says it all... is there any prestige or anything extra to be gained by going to Penn instead of Duke?

It feels like the logical answer is to go to Duke, but my instinct tells me that Penn is somehow better...

Michael is BS you. Penn is not worth sticker price. And in the real world no one cares about Ivy status. They even have the audacity to charge more for the Wharton certificate. Go to Duke. Both a comparable schools

[Edited by latin_brain on Apr 01, 2024]

There's no right answer. Nevertheless, it's true that Penn is slightly better than Duke. Especially if you plan to sit for the New York Bar or network in New York or Washington, DC. However, if you think that $20k offsets these advantages, then you should go to Duke; otherwise, it's Penn.

I think it’s greatly up to the program you want to take and also what you plan to do afterward. It is not an automatic “in the real world no one cares about Ivy status” (as one of the posters generalized) because in some parts of the world, you will have an edge if you’re from an Ivy League school, Penn at that.

Personally, Factors I would take into consideration are: your goals for the LLM, the classes offered, the professors teaching it, the city/campus situation, the cost of attendance and living. 

Btw You can also ask for scholarship reconsideration at Penn. Good luck

To add to what might be growing consensus, I think Penn is worth a small premium over Duke, but no more than that. Both are fine schools and would generally be considered peers.

What is the different of COA? Penn has one of the highest tuition...I am yet to see anyone that matters in the legal world caring about Ivy status during recruiting process.... If that was true Penn would have an edge over Stanford....

In Europe and South America most people dont know even know Penn but Duke is far more known

I agree the COA would be good to know. I don’t think it’s so much that Penn is an ivy, although that doesn’t hurt of course. It’s more that Penn is one of the most prestigious universities in the US (which might be due in part due to ivy status), with a law school that traditionally has ranked in the unofficial third tier (HYS > CCN > third tier) of the T14.

Duke is also a prestigious university, currently ranking 7th (Penn is 6th) in the very influential US News ranking. It traditionally (until quite recently) ranked among the lowest tier of T14. It currently is 5th which is a huge improvement compared to where it used to sit, 10th or lower, but Penn is currently ranked 4th.

In the US, they would both be seen as possibly one step below HYPSM (in the general not law sense). Which is still extraordinarily high. Penn has a few intangibles along with a slightly higher rank which may make it slightly more desirable for most, but they are essentially peers.

[Edited by balloonlaw on Apr 02, 2024]

I agree the COA would be good to know. I don’t think it’s so much that Penn is an ivy, although that doesn’t hurt of course. It’s more that Penn is one of the most prestigious universities in the US (which might be due in part due to ivy status), with a law school that traditionally has ranked in the unofficial third tier (HYS > CCN > third tier) of the T14.

Duke is also a prestigious university, currently ranking 7th (Penn is 6th) in the very influential US News ranking. It traditionally (until quite recently) ranked among the lowest tier of T14. It currently is 5th which is a huge improvement compared to where it used to sit, 10th or lower, but Penn is currently ranked 4th.

In the US, they would both be seen as possibly one step below HYPSM (in the general not law sense). Which is still extraordinarily high. Penn has a few intangibles along with a slightly higher rank which may make it slightly more desirable for most, but they are essentially peers.

I agree the COA would be good to know. I don’t think it’s so much that Penn is an ivy, although that doesn’t hurt of course. It’s more that Penn is one of the most prestigious universities in the US (which might be due in part due to ivy status), with a law school that traditionally has ranked in the unofficial third tier (HYS > CCN > third tier) of the T14.

Duke is also a prestigious university, currently ranking 7th (Penn is 6th) in the very influential US News ranking. It traditionally (until quite recently) ranked among the lowest tier of T14. It currently is 5th which is a huge improvement compared to where it used to sit, 10th or lower, but Penn is currently ranked 4th.

In the US, they would both be seen as possibly one step below HYPSM (in the general not law sense). Which is still extraordinarily high. Penn has a few intangibles along with a slightly higher rank which may make it slightly more desirable for most, but they are essentially peers.

When you mention the second tier, are you refering to Columbia, Chicago, NYU?

Consider program strengths, campus culture, and personal preferences when deciding between Penn and Duke. Both are prestigious universities, so trust your instincts and prioritize factors like academic opportunities and campus environment.