Top Law Schools

I already submitted a deposit at Stanford and just got off the HLS waitlist. I know that there are tons of HLS vs SLS posts on TLS, but would greatly appreciate your feedback re:my specific situation. I hope to use my law degree to do policy work and ultimately start a nonprofit. Although HLS seems to have a stronger reputation for producing leaders, the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley definitely seems to have infused SLS. Please let me know which school you think will be better for my career ambitions. I visited both schools and don't feel that either one is a better "fit"--I loved them both.

Do you want to work in DC? At the State level? Which state?

More specifics needed.

Seems like the career opportunities from both are very similar and the only real question is geography. The general rule is: west of the Rockies --> Stanford, east of the Rockies --> Harvard.

Both of them are known for producing successful entrepreneurs both inside and outside of law. I would venture to say that, controlling for all other factors, go with the cheaper one or choose according to weather (cold vs. warm). At this level, it's almost that simple.

Aberzombie1892 wrote:Both of them are known for producing successful entrepreneurs both inside and outside of law. I would venture to say that, controlling for all other factors, go with the cheaper one or choose according to weather (cold vs. warm). At this level, it's almost that simple.

This is true.

In my opinion H and S are semi-interchangeable I don't think anyone has a great advantage over the other. I may actually come down to if you prefer saying "I am going to Harvard!!!!" to "I am going to Stanford!!!!"

Are you planning on getting an MBA? If you are, i think its harder to get into Stanford GSB than it is to get into HBS. Granted they are both hard to get into but Stanford has a single digit acceptance rate. But i do know that Stanford takes people without work experience (just assuming u don't have some)...I'm not sure if Harvard takes people without WE though..

I would think Stanford has the SF/Silicon Valley advantage, Harvard has the edge in DC...but there isn't a wrong choice here.

I think it comes down to personal preference for the climate, semester/quarter, vibes of student body, etc.

Personal preference, in my opinion. Nevertheless, if unhappy at Stanford, it would be easier to transfer to Harvard then vice-versa.

easier to register for classes outside the law school at sls, though also encouraged at hls. also i think the limit on non-law credits is significantly higher at sls. that being said, i agree with the people who said that this decision comes down to personal preference. congrats!

Geneva wrote:easier to register for classes outside the law school at sls, though also encouraged at hls. also i think the limit on non-law credits is significantly higher at sls. that being said, i agree with the people who said that this decision comes down to personal preference. congrats!

Geneva! Where have u been lol. Are we gonna be classmates?


What's the limit on non law classes at both schools?

Well, the H-bomb definitely elicited a more amazed response from people, at least where I live. Once I got past that, though, I realized, like everyone is saying here, the opportunities coming out of both are pretty similar. I'm just an 0L, but I don't think either school would be appreciably better for what you want to end up doing.
I think I would have been happy at either H or S (and I think it's safe to say most people would be happy at either). Though both visits were great, I did have a slightly better visit at one school; I also personally felt that the vibes I got re school cultures were different enough for me to make the call based on fit. PM me if you want to discuss your decision!

yojuro wrote:Well, the H-bomb definitely elicited a more amazed response from people, at least where I live. Once I got past that, though, I realized, like everyone is saying here, the opportunities coming out of both are pretty similar. I'm just an 0L, but I don't think either school would be appreciably better for what you want to end up doing.
I think I would have been happy at either H or S (and I think it's safe to say most people would be happy at either). Though both visits were great, I did have a slightly better visit at one school; I also personally felt that the vibes I got re school cultures were different enough for me to make the call based on fit. PM me if you want to discuss your decision!

I'm in the same situation as the OP! I just PMed you:)