Torn between HLS and SLS
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:38 pm
Hi all! So I really didn't want to make one of these threads but I'm really conflicted. I really thought HLS was where I wanted to be so (like a dumbass) I only went to the Harvard ASW in April. Unfortunately, I didn't like it at all. I didn't feel like I clicked with any of the admitted students and none (of the admittedly few) current students I met were too enthused with Harvard. The only positive thing they said was "It's Harvard" but didn't elaborate on any substantive aspects of the institution. Obviously, the Harvard name carries a ton of weight but I had hoped that students could also talk more about how they've enjoyed their time at Harvard.
The aspects about the ASW that I really liked were my mock class, class visit and the panel on clinical programs. So I feel that the things I like most about the weekend just showed me that I'm excited to study law not that I'm excited about Harvard in particular. Ultimately, I think what draws me to Harvard is: the name, the Harvard BLSA network and the idea that Harvard just affords so much career flexibility. I'm conflicted because I don't want to allow a couple of days to completely turn me away from a school (especially one as amazing as Harvard) but it's also hard to ignore the generally ambivalent/slightly negative feeling I now have towards the school.
Fortunately, I'm in at SLS and am hoping to visit early next week. Initially, I was not as interested in Stanford because it's so far from home (silly, I know), offers less courses/clinics, might not be as strong as HLS on the East Coast and doesn't have as large of a BLSA network. However, I like that Stanford has a smaller class size and therefore the possibility for more student/professor interaction, the ability to take only a clinic for an entire term and the possibility to try something new.
Career-wise, I'm interested in clerking, working in the litigation practice area of a large firm for a few years and then going into government work (something like USAO). Public interest is a possibility as well.
Alright sorry this was so long! So I guess here's the question: based on my concerns and priorities, should I go with Stanford or Harvard and why?
Finally to add: I feel very fortunate to have such great choices. I hope I didn't come off as whiny and annoying since I know these types of threads have the tendency to do that. I've also read over the other Stanford v. Harvard threads but a lot of them were for people from the West Coast and the other was someone who just wanted NYC biglaw.
Thanks in advance for your responses!
The aspects about the ASW that I really liked were my mock class, class visit and the panel on clinical programs. So I feel that the things I like most about the weekend just showed me that I'm excited to study law not that I'm excited about Harvard in particular. Ultimately, I think what draws me to Harvard is: the name, the Harvard BLSA network and the idea that Harvard just affords so much career flexibility. I'm conflicted because I don't want to allow a couple of days to completely turn me away from a school (especially one as amazing as Harvard) but it's also hard to ignore the generally ambivalent/slightly negative feeling I now have towards the school.
Fortunately, I'm in at SLS and am hoping to visit early next week. Initially, I was not as interested in Stanford because it's so far from home (silly, I know), offers less courses/clinics, might not be as strong as HLS on the East Coast and doesn't have as large of a BLSA network. However, I like that Stanford has a smaller class size and therefore the possibility for more student/professor interaction, the ability to take only a clinic for an entire term and the possibility to try something new.
Career-wise, I'm interested in clerking, working in the litigation practice area of a large firm for a few years and then going into government work (something like USAO). Public interest is a possibility as well.
Alright sorry this was so long! So I guess here's the question: based on my concerns and priorities, should I go with Stanford or Harvard and why?
Finally to add: I feel very fortunate to have such great choices. I hope I didn't come off as whiny and annoying since I know these types of threads have the tendency to do that. I've also read over the other Stanford v. Harvard threads but a lot of them were for people from the West Coast and the other was someone who just wanted NYC biglaw.
Thanks in advance for your responses!