Top Law Schools

I'm in the fortunate position of needing to choose between acceptances from Harvard and Columbia, and thought I'd canvas TLS for some opinions. Some factors I'm considering:

-I've got a technical background, so I'm strongly considering IP (potentially patent litigation). Word on the street is that Columbia's got the better IP program, but I'm wondering how much of a real difference that may make for job prospects. Harvard's IP program has been made out to be pretty unremarkable on these boards in the past, but most of those posts are a few years old. Is anyone currently at Harvard able to shed some light on whether the program has come along in recent years?

-I'm also interested in corporate and international law, though the lack of clear career paths in international law has me concerned about planning around that as an area of specialization.

-Columbia's offering some cash.

-I hope to practice in a major market for a few years afterwards, but in the long term I may or may not stay in the US (I'm an international student). Conventional wisdom says Harvard has the better brand internationally - does anyone have any anecdotal evidence to back this up? Is there a bump to exit options with HLS on your resume vs. CLS?

Thanks!

LawTalkingGuy wrote:I'm in the fortunate position of needing to choose between acceptances from Harvard and Columbia, and thought I'd canvas TLS for some opinions. Some factors I'm considering:

-I've got a technical background, so I'm strongly considering IP (potentially patent litigation). Word on the street is that Columbia's got the better IP program, but I'm wondering how much of a real difference that may make for job prospects. Harvard's IP program has been made out to be pretty unremarkable on these boards in the past, but most of those posts are a few years old. Is anyone currently at Harvard able to shed some light on whether the program has come along in recent years?

-I'm also interested in corporate and international law, though the lack of clear career paths in international law has me concerned about planning around that as an area of specialization.

-Columbia's offering some cash.

-I hope to practice in a major market for a few years afterwards, but in the long term I may or may not stay in the US (I'm an international student). Conventional wisdom says Harvard has the better brand internationally - does anyone have any anecdotal evidence to back this up? Is there a bump to exit options with HLS on your resume vs. CLS?

Thanks!

How much cash is Columbia offering, exactly? And did you apply to Stanford?

Applied to Stanford, but haven't heard back yet. Don't want to be too specific on the Columbia offer - it's a good offer, but not quite a named scholarship.

LawTalkingGuy wrote:Applied to Stanford, but haven't heard back yet. Don't want to be too specific on the Columbia offer - it's a good offer, but not quite a named scholarship.

Since I think that means you got less than a half ride, i'd definitely take H.

I am in a nearly identical situation- strong technical background, acceptance at Harvard, big money offer from Columbia. At this point I am leaning toward Columbia, but I think I agree with Knock. The price point at which I would switch to Harvard is probably in the neighborhood of half tuition. As I said, Columbia is my current leaning, but I am still waiting on my financial aid offer from Harvard (it will definitely be a factor). Overall I am really struggling with this decision.

I'd love to hear more thoughts on this subject.

Also wait until you get your need based packet from H. I had a Butler @ CLS and my HLS need based aid pretty much came out the same.