Can a Chicago Grad find Employment in DC

[HR6352]

How important is location when applying for the top 14?  I'm 171 LSAT/3.6 GPA.  I want to apply early decision to Chicago because I live there.  But then again I want to live in DC after I graduate.  Should I absorb the cost and go to Virginia or Duke instead of Chicago or with a school like UC will I be able to find a good job anywhere?

[big - fat - box]

DC is a very elitist job market. A JD from UChicago will do well there, probably better than UVA or Duke all else being equal. Whether or not you get a "good job" (assuming "good job" means biglaw or competitive job in the public sector) out of any school is pretty much a coin toss due to the economy. Unless things really improve a lot, there are no guarantees anywhere.

[seatochitown]

No guarantees in this economic climate, but plenty of UofC students go to DC every year. Certain prestigious DC firms recruit at Chicago but not Duke or Virginia; in addition, there's no pre-screening at Chicago OCI (there is at Virginia and I assume at Duke), so you'll be able to interview with most every DC firm that comes to campus.

Wherever you go, get good grades. DC firms are very grade-conscious.

[big - fat - box]

I believe UVA is the only t14 with prescreening. Agree that grades are very important for the DC market, regardless of what school you go to.