Harvard vs. Stanford for health law Forum

[lawlorbust]

Any thoughts on those two? Or anyone think there are worthy reasons to consider one of my other schools over Harvard? TIA!

My thoughts are that either HLS or SLS would be a poor fit for your goals. Because they're law schools.

Am I missing something? Not being facetious; didn't OP expressly state that he wanted to do "x, y, and health law?"

Yeah, you missed the part where OP described career goals that do not involve the practice of law.

OP, you wrote: "Okay, well, I am going to law school. I've done my homework on it and I know it's the right move for my career. If anyone actually has any thoughts on which school would be better for health law I'd appreciate it."

Sorry to be blunt, but anyone who did the background research you're describing would not be on a message board asking folks "which school would be better for health law?"

My advice is that you think all this through more carefully.

Look, I get the structure of your argument, but it's just doesn't fit great here. It's not the usual case where 0Ls wakes up wanting to do "international development" and decides on a JD as some step towards that goal. OP is interested in a truly interdisciplinary field with multiple (and fuzzy) entry pathways, one of which legitimately is a JD with a subject focus (whether on its own on in tandem with a PhD).

I agree with the general idea that the JD isn't a "versatile" degree, contra what your favorite boomer relative might say. But sometimes--but thoroughly unsurprisingly--TLS takes the schtick too far.

[UVA2B]

Any thoughts on those two? Or anyone think there are worthy reasons to consider one of my other schools over Harvard? TIA!

My thoughts are that either HLS or SLS would be a poor fit for your goals. Because they're law schools.

Am I missing something? Not being facetious; didn't OP expressly state that he wanted to do "x, y, and health law?"

Yeah, you missed the part where OP described career goals that do not involve the practice of law.

OP, you wrote: "Okay, well, I am going to law school. I've done my homework on it and I know it's the right move for my career. If anyone actually has any thoughts on which school would be better for health law I'd appreciate it."

Sorry to be blunt, but anyone who did the background research you're describing would not be on a message board asking folks "which school would be better for health law?"

My advice is that you think all this through more carefully.

Look, I get the structure of your argument, but it's just doesn't fit great here. It's not the usual case where 0Ls wakes up wanting to do "international development" and decides on a JD as some step towards that goal. OP is interested in a truly interdisciplinary field with multiple (and fuzzy) entry pathways, one of which legitimately is a JD with a subject focus (whether on its own on in tandem with a PhD).

I agree with the general idea that the JD isn't a "versatile" degree, contra what your favorite boomer relative might say. But sometimes TLS takes the schtick too far.

Respectfully, it's not really schtick, it's pragmatism. I just read through this entire thread, and nothing about what the OP wants to accomplish professionally fits with a JD, despite some intersectionality between biomedical research and health law policy with the interpretation of law. The OP would be much better served just getting a PhD or getting an MPP and working their way up the chain in those respective fields. They have strong options on the table if they want to get into the interpretation of health law, but that's not what they're interested in getting into. Policy-making is fundamentally different than statutory interpretation. PhDs and policy-makers do the former, JDs do the latter. The overlap is pretty minimal.

[Nebby]

Basically the only thing in OP that is relevant to law school is that the word "law" is mentioned, but that's it. What OP wants to do requires a graduate degree in the relevant field (such as health law and policy graduate programs). OP will get closer to their goal if they maintain status quo rather than spend 3 years getting a degree that is only tangentially related to their desired career path.

[rpupkin]

Look, I get the structure of your argument, but it's just doesn't fit great here. It's not the usual case where 0Ls wakes up wanting to do "international development" and decides on a JD as some step towards that goal. OP is interested in a truly interdisciplinary field with multiple (and fuzzy) entry pathways, one of which legitimately is a JD with a subject focus (whether on its own on in tandem with a PhD).

I agree with the general idea that the JD isn't a "versatile" degree, contra what your favorite boomer relative might say. But sometimes--but thoroughly unsurprisingly--TLS takes the schtick too far.

I actually agree with the bolded, but the schtick—such as it is—happens to be on point here. I'm not sure what you see in the OP's posting that makes you believe that OP would benefit from a JD. If there is such a benefit, it's going to come from a specialized, niche program with the right faculty. The fact that OP is asking a question like "is Stanford or Harvard better for health law?" shows that OP hasn't carefully thought about how a JD would help their specialized career goals.

[TudoBem]

Why law school? It seems like you're more interested in a doctoral program.

I'm genuinely not familiar with the field. Do you need a JD for bioethics research and potential academia?

A little more about me: I majored in biomedical engineering with a special interest in genetic engineering. While the science interests me, I realized I was more fascinated by its ethical/legal/social implications (ELSI). That's what got me into bioethics research. But just doing the research isn't entirely satisfying; I want to actually translate my findings into public policy. Having a solid background in law gives me a very good basis to do so. (Additionally, I've taken an IP law class and read many cases through other classes, so I've had a taste and already know I love it.)

Several of the bioethics leaders have just JDs (Greely, Rothstein, etc). Some have PhDs in philosophy, health science research, or some hard science. Some have both. There's not really a direct path into bioethics, which is somewhat frustrating but also exciting. I'm hoping my research would combine legal research and empirical ethics methods.

I know this is a rather unconventional path, so it may be a longshot to ask about this on TLS! But I appreciate the advice

if you get into Yale, go to Yale, otherwise Harvard. The Petrie-Flom Center @ Harvard matches your interests. And btw, I have similar interests, but was WL @ harvard and dinged @ Yale. Go and get your JD. You will make a difference my friend that will impact us all. I am impressed. Best of luck.

[Nebby]

Why law school? It seems like you're more interested in a doctoral program.

I'm genuinely not familiar with the field. Do you need a JD for bioethics research and potential academia?

A little more about me: I majored in biomedical engineering with a special interest in genetic engineering. While the science interests me, I realized I was more fascinated by its ethical/legal/social implications (ELSI). That's what got me into bioethics research. But just doing the research isn't entirely satisfying; I want to actually translate my findings into public policy. Having a solid background in law gives me a very good basis to do so. (Additionally, I've taken an IP law class and read many cases through other classes, so I've had a taste and already know I love it.)

Several of the bioethics leaders have just JDs (Greely, Rothstein, etc). Some have PhDs in philosophy, health science research, or some hard science. Some have both. There's not really a direct path into bioethics, which is somewhat frustrating but also exciting. I'm hoping my research would combine legal research and empirical ethics methods.

I know this is a rather unconventional path, so it may be a longshot to ask about this on TLS! But I appreciate the advice

if you get into Yale, go to Yale, otherwise Harvard. The Petrie-Flom Center @ Harvard matches your interests. And btw, I have similar interests, but was WL @ harvard and dinged @ Yale. Go and get your JD. You will make a difference my friend that will impact us all. I am impressed. Best of luck.

Yes. Listen to the 0L's career advice

[Nebby]

Okay, well, I am going to law school. I've done my homework on it and I know it's the right move for my career. If anyone actually has any thoughts on which school would be better for health law I'd appreciate it.

I don't think you've done your homework because you don't seem to understand what law school is or have any sense of how it fits into your career path other than some arbitrary box you think you have to check

[bmenginerd]

Well, this has been fun, hasn't it? I won't waste time justifying my career path to people focused on traditional law careers. There's nothing wrong with that; I just know what I want to do and that there's a lot of value in being unique and forging my own path.

I will concede this point to rpupkin - I shouldn't have posted here. I know enough about the schools, faculty, and programs in my field to make an informed decision. I was hoping I might find someone with experience at Petrie-Flom or SCLB, but I should rely on my work connections instead.

I will now return to lurking for decision dates. This thread has just reinforced my impressions that TLS has a lot of rather narrow-minded know-it-alls. But at least it's been entertaining! Good luck to you all!

[Nebby]

Well, this has been fun, hasn't it? I won't waste time justifying my career path to people focused on traditional law careers. There's nothing wrong with that; I just know what I want to do and that there's a lot of value in being unique and forging my own path.

I will concede this point to rpupkin - I shouldn't have posted here. I know enough about the schools, faculty, and programs in my field to make an informed decision. I was hoping I might find someone with experience at Petrie-Flom or SCLB, but I should rely on my work connections instead.

I will now return to lurking for decision dates. This thread has just reinforced my impressions that TLS has a lot of rather narrow-minded know-it-alls. But at least it's been entertaining! Good luck to you all!

lol amazing

[Redfactor]

Well, this has been fun, hasn't it? I won't waste time justifying my career path to people focused on traditional law careers. There's nothing wrong with that; I just know what I want to do and that there's a lot of value in being unique and forging my own path.

I will concede this point to rpupkin - I shouldn't have posted here. I know enough about the schools, faculty, and programs in my field to make an informed decision. I was hoping I might find someone with experience at Petrie-Flom or SCLB, but I should rely on my work connections instead.

I will now return to lurking for decision dates. This thread has just reinforced my impressions that TLS has a lot of rather narrow-minded know-it-alls. But at least it's been entertaining! Good luck to you all!

I wonder if s/he sees the irony in his/her own statement. You do you, OP.

[LoganCouture]

Well, this has been fun, hasn't it? I won't waste time justifying my career path to people focused on traditional law careers. There's nothing wrong with that; I just know what I want to do and that there's a lot of value in being unique and forging my own path.

I will concede this point to rpupkin - I shouldn't have posted here. I know enough about the schools, faculty, and programs in my field to make an informed decision. I was hoping I might find someone with experience at Petrie-Flom or SCLB, but I should rely on my work connections instead.

I will now return to lurking for decision dates. This thread has just reinforced my impressions that TLS has a lot of rather narrow-minded know-it-alls. But at least it's been entertaining! Good luck to you all!

Please pick HLS! Good luck to you also

[AZ123]

Well, this has been fun, hasn't it? I won't waste time justifying my career path to people focused on traditional law careers. There's nothing wrong with that; I just know what I want to do and that there's a lot of value in being unique and forging my own path.

I will concede this point to rpupkin - I shouldn't have posted here. I know enough about the schools, faculty, and programs in my field to make an informed decision. I was hoping I might find someone with experience at Petrie-Flom or SCLB, but I should rely on my work connections instead.

I will now return to lurking for decision dates. This thread has just reinforced my impressions that TLS has a lot of rather narrow-minded know-it-alls. But at least it's been entertaining! Good luck to you all!

This always seems to happen in choosing threads. People ask for advice, receive solid advice that isn't what they want to hear, and then get snarky and leave. Lol. The posters were simply trying to help OP save thousands of dollars and/or years of his/her life. If you don't like the advice, you don't have to follow it, but I think there is a better response than simply calling everyone trying to help you a "know it all."

[pancakes3]

OP, I'm sure you're smart and I'm sure you've done homework. However, the career that you've set your eyes on is very narrow. You're going to law school but have no interest in practicing law. Basically you want to go into academia, and in a very niche area of law where you do pure research and advocate for policy. The odds of that happening are very slim.

I think the spirit of advice in this forum is that if you want to do research, why not get a degree where you conduct research? A JD doesn't further your understanding of bioethics because in law school, you study law and how to make legal arguments. You learn torts, property, contracts, etc. The research component of law school (as an RA, or writing your note for LR/Journal) is extracurricular. The research component for a PhD is... curricular.

TLS may be narrow minded in its advice but you may be narrow minded in your career prospects also. You came on this site for perspective.

[Nebby]

Fine, I'll say what everyone is thinking. OP is using law school as a way to defer the real world for another 3 years while they figure out what to do with their life

[Hennessy]

Fine, I'll say what everyone is thinking. OP is using law school as a way to defer the real world for another 3 years while they figure out what to do with their life

aren't like 90% of law students doing that

not rationalizing it, just saying it's not unusual

OP is stupid for reasons besides just not having career goals

[BlendedUnicorn]

There are four current student fellows at Petrie-flam. One is an LLM, one is a JD/MD ( ). The other two aren't law students by any definition. If you're interested in that, shoot one of them an email.

[Pragmatic Gun]

Relevant: i was listening to a podcast where the former Trade Representative under Obama was being interviewed about his career. He had gone to law school, and the interviewer asked him (with a tone of surprise) why he had gone to law school? The trade rep was a bit flustered at first and answered that the law degree taught him a way of thinking about both sides of an argument, blah blah blah.

I think like the Trade Rep, OP probably just saw law school as another box to tick off and add on his resume.

[Npret]

Fine, I'll say what everyone is thinking. OP is using law school as a way to defer the real world for another 3 years while they figure out what to do with their life

I was genuinely curious as to what in his research showed him law school was a benefit. Would still like to know.

[Alexandros]

.

[nimbus cloud]

OP did mention that money is not a significant factor for him.

Simply saying money isn't a deciding factor doesn't mean significant wealth or family support in my mind. People say that for a variety of reasons (one being to preempt discussion despite a heavy debt load), so I don't want to assume.

Fair enough.

[BlendedUnicorn]

Relevant: i was listening to a podcast where the former Trade Representative under Obama was being interviewed about his career. He had gone to law school, and the interviewer asked him (with a tone of surprise) why he had gone to law school? The trade rep was a bit flustered at first and answered that the law degree taught him a way of thinking about both sides of an argument, blah blah blah.

I think like the Trade Rep, OP probably just saw law school as another box to tick off and add on his resume.

There was a time when law school was cheap but brutally difficult and it may have made sense to get a JD as a credential then. Now that it's neither cheap nor difficult, it makes way less sense.

[Pragmatic Gun]

Relevant: i was listening to a podcast where the former Trade Representative under Obama was being interviewed about his career. He had gone to law school, and the interviewer asked him (with a tone of surprise) why he had gone to law school? The trade rep was a bit flustered at first and answered that the law degree taught him a way of thinking about both sides of an argument, blah blah blah.

I think like the Trade Rep, OP probably just saw law school as another box to tick off and add on his resume.

There was a time when law school was cheap but brutally difficult and it may have made sense to get a JD as a credential then. Now that it's neither cheap nor difficult, it makes way less sense.

Has the curriculum standard dropped that much?

[BlendedUnicorn]

Relevant: i was listening to a podcast where the former Trade Representative under Obama was being interviewed about his career. He had gone to law school, and the interviewer asked him (with a tone of surprise) why he had gone to law school? The trade rep was a bit flustered at first and answered that the law degree taught him a way of thinking about both sides of an argument, blah blah blah.

I think like the Trade Rep, OP probably just saw law school as another box to tick off and add on his resume.

There was a time when law school was cheap but brutally difficult and it may have made sense to get a JD as a credential then. Now that it's neither cheap nor difficult, it makes way less sense.

Has the curriculum standard dropped that much?

My impression is yes. I think failure rates used to be something crazy like 1/3rd and talking to my boomer dad it sounds like he did way more reading in law school than I do.

Now the hard part isn't passing, it's staying ahead of the curve.