Just from reading these posts, it sounds to me that you are trying to justify spending the money going to depaul. Maybe it is your subconscious telling you to go there.
If you were completely neutral, go to cinci, network beginning 1L, find internships that will give you the advanced training that you think you'd get at depaul. Maybe find a mentor in IP around cinci early on.
It could be, but I try to rely on the facts:
DePaul has a much stronger IP program which includes more advanced coursework, IP legal writing, IP externship opportunities, IP events (networking), IP Alumni, a higher employment at graduation, and an aesthetically pleasing atmoshphere. The downsides are cost (it will be $15,000 more per year with $25,000 in Grad Plus loans), and, since my wife and I abhor the old apartments in the city, would mean that we live in the suburbs and I commute every day by train. It's not too bad, but students who do it tell me that it becomes tiresome very quickly.
Cincinnati has a simpler living environment, quick and easy access to school. The main advantage is the cost (only $29,000/yr of which $8,500 would be on Grad Plus loans), and minimal competition. There are several IP firms in the area and since there are relatively fewer IP students, externship opportunities are all but a given. The atmosphere is more intimate all around. However, the environment is not so pleasing as it is very near a bad part of town.
In truth, DePaul feels like the better choice, but in a worse case scenario of not finding employment upon graduation, Cinci is the better option due to low debt, less competition for jobs, albeit a lesser number of jobs to begin with.
Based on the faculty I have interacted with at both schools, I find those at DePaul more supportive and helpful than those at Cincinnati. The students at DePaul were also much more enthusiastic about what they were doing. At Cincinnati, many of the students seemed downright miserable.
I would agree that I am leaning towards DePaul, but no, I am not trying to justify the additional cost. Six months ago, I would have thought debating between Cincinnati and DePaul to be easy, Cincinnati wins. But, the employment climates in both areas combined with the debt factor make this tough. It would be helpful if someone could point out something that I have not taken into account.