How do people seriously turn down Harvard Law??? Forum

[mike7174]

Seriously how does ANYBODY get into HARVARD LAW SCHOOL and then go somewhere else? I know Yale is considered better in many specialties and that Stanford is considered on par by most standards, but, honestly, how the hell do you turn down the prestige of Harvard?

I’m not joking. When I tell people that I’ve got into both Stanford and Harvard, every single person looks at me with a puzzled look and says, “would you really go somewhere other than Harvard?” Never mind the fact that chicks LOVE the sound of Harvard Law. I’m not kidding when I say that girls who wouldn’t give me a chance just a few months ago are now seriously interested.

I mean I would understand turning down Harvard for Yale (or Stanford) if the difference was substantial, but since it’s so small (and in Stanford’s case, probably nonexistent), I'm seriously curious how the heck people turn down Harvard Law? Even though I want to practice in CA (and probably the SF Bay Area) after graduation, there is no way in hell I could turn down Harvard.

[holborn]

so, have you decided between Harvard and Stanford yet?

[lakerfanimal]

Everyone's different.

[Royal68]

Thats just wonderful

[mike7174]

so, have you decided between Harvard and Stanford yet?

Yeah, Harvard without a doubt.

[holborn]

so, have you decided between Harvard and Stanford yet?

Yeah, Harvard without a doubt.

sarcasm fail

[Great Satchmo]

Seriously how does ANYBODY get into HARVARD LAW SCHOOL and them go somewhere else? I know Yale is considered better in many specialties and that Stanford is considered on par by most standards, but, honestly, how the hell do you turn down the prestige of Harvard?

I’m not joking. When I tell people that I’ve got into both Stanford and Harvard, every single person looks at me with a puzzled look and says, “would you really go somewhere other than Harvard?” Never mind the fact that chicks LOVE the sound of Harvard Law. I’m not kidding when I say that girls who wouldn’t give me a chance just a few months ago are now seriously interested.

I mean I would understand turning down Harvard for Yale (or Stanford) if the difference was substantial, but since it’s so small (and in Stanford’s case, probably nonexistent), I'm seriously curious how the heck do people turn down Harvard Law? Even though I want to practice in CA (and probably the SF Bay Area) after graduation, there is no way in hell I could turn down Harvard.

I'd pick Yale over Harvard and Stanford, and I'd pick Stanford over Harvard.

However, luckily for me, I'll never have to make such a difficult decision...

[tomhobbes]

Seriously how does ANYBODY get into HARVARD LAW SCHOOL and them go somewhere else? I know Yale is considered better in many specialties and that Stanford is considered on par by most standards, but, honestly, how the hell do you turn down the prestige of Harvard?

I’m not joking. When I tell people that I’ve got into both Stanford and Harvard, every single person looks at me with a puzzled look and says, “would you really go somewhere other than Harvard?” Never mind the fact that chicks LOVE the sound of Harvard Law. I’m not kidding when I say that girls who wouldn’t give me a chance just a few months ago are now seriously interested.

I mean I would understand turning down Harvard for Yale (or Stanford) if the difference was substantial, but since it’s so small (and in Stanford’s case, probably nonexistent), I'm seriously curious how the heck do people turn down Harvard Law? Even though I want to practice in CA (and probably the SF Bay Area) after graduation, there is no way in hell I could turn down Harvard.

You're right, even 51% of HLS students agree that Harvard is better than Yale, and being Harvard students, they know what they're talking about. As the article says, there's no inferiority complex in Cambridge. And why would there be?

--LinkRemoved--

[jks289]

Sometimes I feel bad that I wasn't good enough to get into Harvard, Stanford, or Yale. I think "if only I could join that special club." In the future, should that feeling ever strike, I will come and read this post. So, thank you sir, for that.

[WhiskeyGuy]

When I tell people that I’ve got into both Stanford and Harvard, every single person looks at me with a puzzled look and says, “would you really go somewhere other than Harvard?”

In my experience, these reactions are from folks who are not terribly familiar with the legal field. Plenty of people choose not to go to Harvard, and for good reasons.

[soullesswonder]

There's about a 90 percent chance I'm going to turn down Harvard for a school not named Yale or Stanford. Sometimes it really comes down to what you want instead of what impresses other people.

[voice of reason]

Going to Harvard is like driving a Mercedes and wearing a Rolex. Sure it's nice, but it's boring and conventional as can be. Stanford is just as good (especially for bay area placement), and Yale is better. And Stanford is nicer.

[APimpNamedSlickback]

Seriously how does ANYBODY get into HARVARD LAW SCHOOL and then go somewhere else? I know Yale is considered better in many specialties and that Stanford is considered on par by most standards, but, honestly, how the hell do you turn down the prestige of Harvard?

I’m not joking. When I tell people that I’ve got into both Stanford and Harvard, every single person looks at me with a puzzled look and says, “would you really go somewhere other than Harvard?” Never mind the fact that chicks LOVE the sound of Harvard Law. I’m not kidding when I say that girls who wouldn’t give me a chance just a few months ago are now seriously interested.

I mean I would understand turning down Harvard for Yale (or Stanford) if the difference was substantial, but since it’s so small (and in Stanford’s case, probably nonexistent), I'm seriously curious how the heck people turn down Harvard Law? Even though I want to practice in CA (and probably the SF Bay Area) after graduation, there is no way in hell I could turn down Harvard.

this.

[romothesavior]

To answer your question:

1. You got into Yale (which is a better school and more prestigious. How do you not think so? Big Legally Blonde Fan?)
2. You got into a T10 with a lot of money
3. You got into Stanford and prefer it over Harvard (maybe you're from CA or want to practice in CA)
4. You have an SO or spouse that you don't want to leave behind

These are all completely legitimate reasons. Would I turn down Harvard? Almost certainly not. But there are excellent reasons for doing so.

[BioEBear2010]

Oh man if Harvard accepted me I'd go in a heartbeat. Why hasn't JR returned any of my calls or answered my scented letters?

[Cactus]

Congratulations on finally garnering serious interest from the ladies. Enjoy it now, because it won't impress the slam pieces nearly as much in Cambridge.

[sfdreaming09]

As much as I hate to admit it, the guy kinda has a point. I’ve never thought of myself as a prestige-obsessed person by any means, but after getting into the schools that I have during this cycle and hearing people’s reactions, it’s difficult not to get caught up in it all.

Although I’m most likely going to turn down Harvard for Stanford, I must admit that the prestige of Harvard is very, very tempting.

[r6_philly]

I'd pick Yale over Harvard and Stanford, and I'd pick Stanford over Harvard.

However, luckily for me, I'll never have to make such a difficult decision...

I hope I am not that lucky. In fact I know I am not that lucky

For OP: everyone has their own reasons. Yale has a lot more prestige over Harvard for certain things. Harvard doesn't do quite as much for you if you don't want to do big law. Better than a T10 still, but not over Yale and Stanford. Yale's COAP is much more appetizing as well for a poor person (who doesn't want to do big law).

[mike7174]

Congratulations on finally garnering serious interest from the ladies. Enjoy it now, because it won't impress the slam pieces nearly as much in Cambridge.

Don’t worry, I’d been garnering their interest even before Harvard. Dropping the H-bomb at frat parties just makes it even easier.

[Cupidity]

BU's guys are hotter.

[ConMan345]

I don't know; having gone to a "name-brand" school for undergrad, a lot of people actually react negatively, or awkwardly (middle-aged moms with high school-aged kids are the worst--they usually react with this air of "what do you have that my kid doesn't?" I had one mom call me stupid for picking the major I did.). I usually just say that I went to school in XYZ State. I actually expect the reactions to HLS, if I go, to be more negative and perhaps more frequent.

[Boba Fett]

BU's guys are hotter.

Heterosexuality FAIL

[Mattalones]

.

[cardnal124]

I don't know; having gone to a "name-brand" school for undergrad, a lot of people actually react negatively, or awkwardly (middle-aged moms with high school-aged kids are the worst--they usually react with this air of "what do you have that my kid doesn't?" I had one mom call me stupid for picking the major I did.). I usually just say that I went to school in XYZ State. I actually expect the reactions to HLS, if I go, to be more negative and perhaps more frequent.

To be fair, English is a stupid major. I mean I can speak it good and I didn't major in it.

[dutchstriker]

There's about a 90 percent chance I'm going to turn down Harvard for a school not named Yale or Stanford. Sometimes it really comes down to what you want instead of what impresses other people.

What if what I want is to impress other people?