IP Law... Harvard or UVA full ride? Forum

[where]

I know that there is a similar thread but it focused a lot on public interest. I'm interested in intellectual property. Neither school is even top 10 for ip, but I find it hard to believe that a george washington (#3) graduate would be in a begtter position than one from harvard or uva. What do you think? Also, I'm from boston, because that should make harvard a little cheaper to live at.

[am060459]

im not to sure about which one is better for IP but a full ride at UVA is pretty hard to pass.

[dextermorgan]

Stanford.

[vanwinkle]

Standard advice is to do what's best for you overall, and in this case it'd be UVA full-ride if you're just wanting BigLaw when you graduate...

...but if you're sure you want a specific field, going to Harvard is probably a better choice, because you'll have a much better shot at getting the specific job you want with a Harvard degree.

Tough choice, because both have real advantages.

[09042014]

I know that there is a similar thread but it focused a lot on public interest. I'm interested in intellectual property. Neither school is even top 10 for ip, but I find it hard to believe that a george washington (#3) graduate would be in a begtter position than one from harvard or uva. What do you think? Also, I'm from boston, because that should make harvard a little cheaper to live at.

What kind of IP law.

If its patent prosecution, UVA full ride.

Otherwise Harvard.

[Gooner]

HLS if you're going for Wilmer or Ropes in Boston; UVA otherwise, IMO.

Edit: also HLS if you're going for high-end full-service lit firms with sizeable IP departments.

[SOCRATiC]

I know that there is a similar thread but it focused a lot on public interest. I'm interested in intellectual property. Neither school is even top 10 for ip, but I find it hard to believe that a george washington (#3) graduate would be in a begtter position than one from harvard or uva. What do you think? Also, I'm from boston, because that should make harvard a little cheaper to live at.

Program rankings are not a relevant category when weighed against the prestige of Harvard. Do not concern yourself with program rankings unless a top law school is actually a part of it (i.e. Stanford, Berkeley for Intellectual Property, and NYU for Tax).

It is, however, worth it to consider the financial implications of your future decision. When it comes to the full ride at UVA, it all depends on your financial circumstances. TLS users seem to place a lot of weight on scholarships (especially full rides). This is probably because those who are not able to finance their legal education without taking $200,000 of debt self-select into offering their two-cents. If money is a huge concern for you, then UVA might be an excellent option for you. But Harvard offers special loan assistance programs for those pursuing public interest work that could help you achieve a smooth financial transition into the workforce.

Unfortunately, Public Interest work is very competitive; adopting Harvard as your Alma Mater could open all doors for you. You'd also be inclined to be a part of the pro-bono-happy environment there - correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the graduating class of 2009 recorded an average of more than 500 hours by the time they've graduated.

I'd go to Harvard if I were you.

[vanwinkle]

I know that there is a similar thread but it focused a lot on public interest. I'm interested in intellectual property. Neither school is even top 10 for ip, but I find it hard to believe that a george washington (#3) graduate would be in a begtter position than one from harvard or uva. What do you think? Also, I'm from boston, because that should make harvard a little cheaper to live at.

Program rankings are not a relevant category when weighed against the prestige of Harvard. Do not concern yourself with program rankings unless a top law school is actually a part of it (i.e. Stanford, Berkeley for Intellectual Property, and NYU for Tax).

It is, however, worth it to consider the financial implications of your future decision. When it comes to the full ride at UVA, it all depends on your financial circumstances. TLS users seem to place a lot of weight on scholarships (especially full rides). This is probably because those who are not able to finance their legal education without taking $200,000 of debt self-select into offering their two-cents. If money is a huge concern for you, then UVA might be an excellent option for you. But Harvard offers special loan assistance programs for those pursuing public interest work that could help you achieve a smooth financial transition into the workforce.

Unfortunately, Public Interest work is very competitive; adopting Harvard as your Alma Mater could open all doors for you. You'd also be inclined to be a part of the pro-bono-happy environment there - correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the graduating class of 2009 recorded an average of more than 500 hours by the time they've graduated.

I'd go to Harvard if I were you.

While I agree with your overall sentiments, I think you're confusing IP law with PI law.

[SOCRATiC]

I know that there is a similar thread but it focused a lot on public interest. I'm interested in intellectual property. Neither school is even top 10 for ip, but I find it hard to believe that a george washington (#3) graduate would be in a begtter position than one from harvard or uva. What do you think? Also, I'm from boston, because that should make harvard a little cheaper to live at.

Program rankings are not a relevant category when weighed against the prestige of Harvard. Do not concern yourself with program rankings unless a top law school is actually a part of it (i.e. Stanford, Berkeley for Intellectual Property, and NYU for Tax).

It is, however, worth it to consider the financial implications of your future decision. When it comes to the full ride at UVA, it all depends on your financial circumstances. TLS users seem to place a lot of weight on scholarships (especially full rides). This is probably because those who are not able to finance their legal education without taking $200,000 of debt self-select into offering their two-cents. If money is a huge concern for you, then UVA might be an excellent option for you. But Harvard offers special loan assistance programs for those pursuing public interest work that could help you achieve a smooth financial transition into the workforce.

Unfortunately, Public Interest work is very competitive; adopting Harvard as your Alma Mater could open all doors for you. You'd also be inclined to be a part of the pro-bono-happy environment there - correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the graduating class of 2009 recorded an average of more than 500 hours by the time they've graduated.

I'd go to Harvard if I were you.

While I agree with your overall sentiments, I think you're confusing IP law with PI law.

OP is presumably pursuing a PI career in IP Law. Or at least that's how I treated his post.

[baboon309]

I know that there is a similar thread but it focused a lot on public interest. I'm interested in intellectual property. Neither school is even top 10 for ip, but I find it hard to believe that a george washington (#3) graduate would be in a begtter position than one from harvard or uva. What do you think? Also, I'm from boston, because that should make harvard a little cheaper to live at.

Program rankings are not a relevant category when weighed against the prestige of Harvard. Do not concern yourself with program rankings unless a top law school is actually a part of it (i.e. Stanford, Berkeley for Intellectual Property, and NYU for Tax).

It is, however, worth it to consider the financial implications of your future decision. When it comes to the full ride at UVA, it all depends on your financial circumstances. TLS users seem to place a lot of weight on scholarships (especially full rides). This is probably because those who are not able to finance their legal education without taking $200,000 of debt self-select into offering their two-cents. If money is a huge concern for you, then UVA might be an excellent option for you. But Harvard offers special loan assistance programs for those pursuing public interest work that could help you achieve a smooth financial transition into the workforce.

Unfortunately, Public Interest work is very competitive; adopting Harvard as your Alma Mater could open all doors for you. You'd also be inclined to be a part of the pro-bono-happy environment there - correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the graduating class of 2009 recorded an average of more than 500 hours by the time they've graduated.

I'd go to Harvard if I were you.

While I agree with your overall sentiments, I think you're confusing IP law with PI law.

OP is presumably pursuing a PI career in IP Law. Or at least that's how I treated his post.

XDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

[UFMatt]

OP is presumably pursuing a PI career in IP Law. Or at least that's how I treated his post.

PI career in IP law? Is there such a thing?

OP, it'd be hard to pass up the full ride at UVA. I would only choose Harvard if I had very, very lofty goals (i.e. high end political position or extremely competitive big law). Coming out of UVA you'll be in a fantastic position for IP law.

[SOCRATiC]

A further glance at the original post helped me realize that OP expressed no interest in pursuing a PI career. Apologies.

[SOCRATiC]

OP is presumably pursuing a PI career in IP Law. Or at least that's how I treated his post.

PI career in IP law? Is there such a thing?

OP, it'd be hard to pass up the full ride at UVA. I would only choose Harvard if I had very, very lofty goals (i.e. high end political position or extremely competitive big law). Coming out of UVA you'll be in a fantastic position for IP law.

I don't even think there's such a thing... lol. Just an assumption that I didn't even bother to validate.