Top Law Schools

Hello TLS bloggers! I know that everyone is posting polls now that decision time is upon us, but I was just curious what comments and opinions people might have on the subject..... I want to study international law and work for an international organization such as the UN, so Columbia's #1 program in international law is very appealing. However, I am not convinced that the opportunities an education from Columbia would provide me with are worth the $120,000+ extra cost over Cornell or UVA (both have decent international law programs with UVA's ranked higher than Cornell's). I suppose it comes down to the age old question of taking the good school with money or the best school at sticker. I am terrified of a $200K debt upon graduation, especially given that I'm not gunning for big law, but Columbia's international law program really does seem to be unmatched....

rachelburns wrote:Hello TLS bloggers! I know that everyone is posting polls now that decision time is upon us, but I was just curious what comments and opinions people might have on the subject..... I want to study international law and work for an international organization such as the UN, so Columbia's #1 program in international law is very appealing. However, I am not convinced that the opportunities an education from Columbia would provide me with are worth the $120,000+ extra cost over Cornell or UVA (both have decent international law programs with UVA's ranked higher than Cornell's). I suppose it comes down to the age old question of taking the good school with money or the best school at sticker. I am terrified of a $200K debt upon graduation, especially given that I'm not gunning for big law, but Columbia's international law program really does seem to be unmatched....

You want a high-quality International Law education, you say? Save yourself the money, read this instead: http://press.princeton.edu/titles/7929.html

Since jobs in the field of international law are so ephemeral, I'd go with the best possible school you get into.

I'm always tempted to dissuade people from going to Columbia in every single thread, because I'm held there, and I really want to go.

Go to the school that will give you the best opportunities: Columbia.

putting aside the fact that the type of job you are talking about is highly competitive and rare, are you planning on applying for a dual degree (either an LLM or a degree from another country)? I know Cornell offers a few of these.

If you look at Columbia's LRAP program, the debt will seem less scary.

http://www.law.columbia.edu/current_stu ... l_aid/LRAP

jonas wrote:If you look at Columbia's LRAP program, the debt will seem less scary.

http://www.law.columbia.edu/current_stu ... l_aid/LRAP

Also this. CLS LRAP is stellar