HLS, NYU, CLS, Cornell, or Northeastern for PI/IHR? Forum

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NorCalLaw

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Re: HLS, NYU, CLS, Cornell, or Northeastern for PI/IHR?

Post by NorCalLaw » Tue Apr 29, 2014 4:36 am

I am a research assistant for a law prof who essentially does policy analysis in a niche area of international law. If you're considering this sort of thing, you should know that most of the incoming folks seem to have PhDs and a scholarly background.

chizzy

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Re: HLS, NYU, CLS, Cornell, or Northeastern for PI/IHR?

Post by chizzy » Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:50 am

OP I think you should take HLS. The need based grant is quite generous and you're doing P.I which would help your debt. Out of all your offers, HLS has the best prospect for the kind of career goal you're seeking. And if in fact you do want to add policy, you could always apply for their joint program during your 1L year. Enjoy HLS.

Flanker1067

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Re: HLS, NYU, CLS, Cornell, or Northeastern for PI/IHR?

Post by Flanker1067 » Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:54 am

I work overseas in a country with a ton of development workers, including lawyers. I am not doing development work at the moment, but did briefly when I arrived (now in a firm). I can't add much to what's been said here already, but you
1. can do development legal work fairly easily from those schools with a little dedication, but you may have to go to a firm or domestic NGO to build your resume (yes, even international NGOs and agencies like to see firm work because they, too, assume you are smart and hard working);
2. haven't presented an entirely clear or convincing case for law school, since you might be able to get the job you prefer otherwise, but it's H with money, so you got that going for you;
3. will be poor and not making any more than those doing non-legal work who have no debt and went to school for 3 less years;
4. have a high risk of never qualifying for LRAP, since it is limited to legal work (as the school defines it) and PSLF has limitations on what employers qualify and it does not include all development work;
5. will probably never actually make a difference and become jaded, but will probably like your work in the process enough to consider your career an overall success;
6. ADD: you would be better off learning the language of a place you want to go, since there are so few smart, educated westerners that speak these languages, and if you are only doing it to work in Geneva, London, or NYC, GTFO because almost everyone has to (and should) go into the field for a substantial amount of time and you will probably hate it.

I'm not saying you shouldn't go btw. These are just observations. I would take H with that money as long as you don't hate the idea of doing other legal work, because it is a sweet deal.

lewisandclark

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Re: HLS, NYU, CLS, Cornell, or Northeastern for PI/IHR?

Post by lewisandclark » Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:35 am

chicky wrote:
jbagelboy wrote: But if it's development legal aid work (helping build local jurisprudence/legal education or constitutional governance training or legal aid for disenfranchised populations) or institution-building/implementation of international standards, where legal training appears more closely related, then the JD or JD-MPA serves as a better route.
That's much closer to what I'm interested in than the economic analysis side of development work is, which is why I haven't pursued an MA in Econ or MPA/ID at HKS or whatever. Something like the case being brought against the UN over the cholera epidemic in Haiti is exactly what I want to be doing, but barring that I would be thrilled with the slightly-less-endangered unicorn of the types of work jbagelboy described (and thank you, jbagelboy, for articulating the reasoning better than I did!). I also should note that, while this is what I'm the most interested in/compelled by, I'm really open to other avenues within the public interest world.
Chicky, the bolded is what I currently work in (not a lawyer). I can't post publicly but PM me to chat about it.

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Blessedassurance

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Re: HLS, NYU, CLS, Cornell, or Northeastern for PI/IHR?

Post by Blessedassurance » Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:50 am

Flanker1067 wrote: have a high risk of never qualifying for LRAP, since it is limited to legal work (as the school defines it) and PSLF has limitations on what employers qualify and it does not include all development work;
harvard's LIPP will cover him/her if the position is "law-related":

http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... index.html

unrelated, but LIPP even covers self-employment doing anything "law-related" (you have to clear with first), and even private firm work (medium/small/shitlaw etc).

examples of things lipp-covered grads were doing:

http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... -work.html

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teampeeta

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Re: HLS, NYU, CLS, Cornell, or Northeastern for PI/IHR?

Post by teampeeta » Tue Apr 29, 2014 9:10 am

I would take HLS in a heartbeat. You have niche interests that may involve working internationally. The brand and network HLS brings will serve you well. Plus it's cheaper than CLS and NYU and a much better school than Cornell. I don't even know how Northeastern made it onto your list based on your other options, but I definitely wouldn't go there even if you have a full-ride.

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BlakcMajikc

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Re: HLS, NYU, CLS, Cornell, or Northeastern for PI/IHR?

Post by BlakcMajikc » Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:00 am

HLS.
Talk to folks in financial aid if you have more questions about what LIPP covers.
You'll join the best network in the world and can do basically whatever you want in PI after graduation.

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worldtraveler

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Re: HLS, NYU, CLS, Cornell, or Northeastern for PI/IHR?

Post by worldtraveler » Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:37 am

Flanker1067 wrote:I work overseas in a country with a ton of development workers, including lawyers. I am not doing development work at the moment, but did briefly when I arrived (now in a firm). I can't add much to what's been said here already, but you
1. can do development legal work fairly easily from those schools with a little dedication, but you may have to go to a firm or domestic NGO to build your resume (yes, even international NGOs and agencies like to see firm work because they, too, assume you are smart and hard working);
2. haven't presented an entirely clear or convincing case for law school, since you might be able to get the job you prefer otherwise, but it's H with money, so you got that going for you;
3. will be poor and not making any more than those doing non-legal work who have no debt and went to school for 3 less years;
4. have a high risk of never qualifying for LRAP, since it is limited to legal work (as the school defines it) and PSLF has limitations on what employers qualify and it does not include all development work;
5. will probably never actually make a difference and become jaded, but will probably like your work in the process enough to consider your career an overall success;
6. ADD: you would be better off learning the language of a place you want to go, since there are so few smart, educated westerners that speak these languages, and if you are only doing it to work in Geneva, London, or NYC, GTFO because almost everyone has to (and should) go into the field for a substantial amount of time and you will probably hate it.

I'm not saying you shouldn't go btw. These are just observations. I would take H with that money as long as you don't hate the idea of doing other legal work, because it is a sweet deal.
I don't agree with any part of that.

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dwil770

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Re: HLS, NYU, CLS, Cornell, or Northeastern for PI/IHR?

Post by dwil770 » Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:50 am

chicky wrote:
jbagelboy wrote: But if it's development legal aid work (helping build local jurisprudence/legal education or constitutional governance training or legal aid for disenfranchised populations) or institution-building/implementation of international standards, where legal training appears more closely related, then the JD or JD-MPA serves as a better route.

I also think, despite the bad reputation for this view on TLS, a top JD with some policy/international background can do more of the work an MA/MPA could do than vise versa.

OP, maybe you could defer from Harvard or Columbia and take a year to finesse your goals and maybe apply to a joint program?
That's much closer to what I'm interested in than the economic analysis side of development work is, which is why I haven't pursued an MA in Econ or MPA/ID at HKS or whatever. Something like the case being brought against the UN over the cholera epidemic in Haiti is exactly what I want to be doing, but barring that I would be thrilled with the slightly-less-endangered unicorn of the types of work jbagelboy described (and thank you, jbagelboy, for articulating the reasoning better than I did!). I also should note that, while this is what I'm the most interested in/compelled by, I'm really open to other avenues within the public interest world.

On the financial front...I'm going to law school because I want to be a social justice advocate (sorry for getting nauseatingly earnest on you all. I know it's gross). I have no illusions about that life path making me money; I just want to know that I'll be employable/employed enough to take advantage of LIPP/LRAP. I remember at the beginning of this process thinking "Of course I'll get jobs if I don't expect anyone to pay me well!" (embittered laughter)

Marrying rich still sounding great. ph14, if you have names and digits of all those eligible bachelors/bachelorettes, lay 'em on me, friend.
Now that's dedication to achieving your goals

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