Harvard (15k) v Chicago (Ruby) Forum

[2012applicant2013]

I went to Harvard's ASW and absolutely loved it but I'm still not sure if Harvard is worth sticker in all circumstances. I am having trouble choosing between Harvard with minimal need-aid and Chicago's Ruby. Where should I attend?
(Please don't quote this post in responses)

Edit: Officially withdrew from RTK.

[Bronck]

RTK / Ruby over HLS any day of the week.

RTK requires you to go into PI, or else you forgo the scholarship, right? I'd take the Ruby for flexibility. If you want to work in NYC, Chi will still be able to get you there.

[badaboom61]

Unless Yale works out, Chicago is probably your best bet.

[unc0mm0n1]

Unless Yale works out, Chicago is probably your best bet.

If Yale works out Chicago will still probably be your best bet.

[ManOfTheMinute]

Definitely Ruby over RTK - the only question is Ruby vs HLS

[02889]

Selfishly, if you agree with the people in this thread that no matter what you should go for the Ruby (or Harvard), it'd be awesome if you would withdraw from your RTK interview beforehand so others (like me!) might still have a shot.

That said, I think the RTK program is awesome and have serious east coast bias, so I'd say HLS or RTK.

[vzapana]

Ruby over rtk. I agree with motm to think hard about ruby v harvard. After being swept away by H during its asw, I'm no longer convinced that I will take the scholarship. But I still have a few weeks to struggle with this decision.

[Bronck]

HLS at near sticker v. UChi with no debt? The Ruby is a no brainer IMO. Yes, HLS' LRAP is strong, but taking on that much debt necessarily reduces flexibility.

[Emma.]

The Ruby is a no brainer.

[sabanist]

What are your career goals?
If you are leaning biglaw, I'd pick Chicago.
RTK sends the message that you're interested in PI - if your dream is a super prestigious PI job, people say RTK is great for making connections and getting a leg up.

With such a small amount of aid at HLS, it makes it a lot harder for me to endorse it as the best choice either way. I've talked to some PI students and grads and they found LRAP and summer funding to be more than adequate, but the debt is still a scary thing.
Congrats on having such amazing choices.

[Dr. Dre]

Unless Yale works out, Chicago is probably your best bet.

[nebula666]

Chicago and don't look back.

[Ti Malice]

To me, this looks like a choice between the Ruby and the RTK (assuming you get it). What are your career goals?

[unc0mm0n1]

Unless Yale works out, Chicago is probably your best bet.

Can someone explain this to me. I must be missing something. We're talking almost a quarter million when all is said and done right vs. 40k that you could probably pay off in less than 6 months of Big Law work. I just don't get it.

[2012applicant2013]

I guess the real question is: How far does the Harvard name carry? Is it worth it, across an entire career, to invest/go into debt now for a Harvard degree versus receive a virtually free J.D. from a non-HYS law school?

I am especially curious if anyone has thoughts the choice of schools specifically for URM students. (Does prestige matter more for securing good internships and jobs?)

[02889]

I guess the real question is: How far does the Harvard name carry? Is it worth it, across an entire career, to invest/go into debt now for a Harvard degree versus receive a virtually free J.D. from a non-HYS law school?

I am especially curious if anyone has thoughts the choice of schools specifically for URM students. (Does prestige matter more for securing good internships and jobs?)

I think for PI-related work, the answer to this differs depending on what your interests are. Do you want to do a clerkship and impact litigation (ACLU, SPLC)? Harvard is probably better, particularly if your resume going into law school isn't already tailored to your goals. However, I currently work in Big PI and once you're in the "did well at a T10" pile it's your resume and writing that matters more than school. Would you prefer working at the DOJ? Again, leg up to Harvard. Do you want to do advocacy, trial work, or direct services? The HLS vs. NYU/Chicago difference is probably significantly less important.

[Dr. Dre]

it only matters if you're going to yale

[unc0mm0n1]

it only matters if you're going to yale

Why?

[02889]

it only matters if you're going to yale

I think the only (which is not to say small) benefit that Yale has over Harvard, NYU, or Chicago with PI hiring is the staggeringly large gap in clerkship placement between YLS and all other schools. Clerkships are highly valuable for DOJ and impact litigation groups, so there's a definite benefit if that's your goal.

Otherwise, seriously, it's the rest of your resume + strong writing + connections that get you the public interest job.

[Emma.]

I am especially curious if anyone has thoughts the choice of schools specifically for URM students. (Does prestige matter more for securing good internships and jobs?)

No. Many employers actively recruit through diversity programs, giving URM students a leg up in hiring over their non-URM counterparts. When you are talking about top programs like any of these, prestige is not going to matter any more for URM students than for anyone else.

[2012applicant2013]

I just got the impression at Harvard ASW (and perhaps this is part of them selling the school) that going to Harvard lets you write you own ticket to do anything. I know it won't hurt my career to go to UChicago but I just wanted to make sure there was a huge discrepancy in how students are treated coming from non-HYS law schools.

[Emma.]

I just got the impression at Harvard ASW (and perhaps this is part of them selling the school) that going to Harvard lets you write you own ticket to do anything. I know it won't hurt my career to go to UChicago but I just wanted to make sure there was a huge discrepancy in how students are treated coming from non-HYS law schools.

For almost everything you might want to do, TLS exaggerates the difference in opportunities between HYS and schools like CLS and UChi.

[John_rizzy_rawls]

I just got the impression at Harvard ASW (and perhaps this is part of them selling the school) that going to Harvard lets you write you own ticket to do anything. I know it won't hurt my career to go to UChicago but I just wanted to make sure there was a huge discrepancy in how students are treated coming from non-HYS law schools.

For almost everything you might want to do, TLS exaggerates the difference in opportunities between HYS and schools like CLS and UChi.

(UChi student)

Also, LOLNo.

[Emma.]

Also, LOLNo.

Really, 0L? Besides politics, name a few areas where Harvard has a statistically significant advantage over UChi?

I'm not saying there aren't differences, I just think they are way overblown on this site.

As an example, the conventional TLS wisdom is that Yale practically has mystical powers when it comes to securing A3 clerkships, but I know for sure that my judge doesn't go any deeper into Yale's class than he does for Chicago.

[ManOfTheMinute]

I just got the impression at Harvard ASW (and perhaps this is part of them selling the school) that going to Harvard lets you write you own ticket to do anything. I know it won't hurt my career to go to UChicago but I just wanted to make sure there was a huge discrepancy in how students are treated coming from non-HYS law schools.

For almost everything you might want to do, TLS exaggerates the difference in opportunities between HYS and the T-14.

FTFY. I mean shit, its really all the same anyway. A JD is a JD.