Top Law Schools

Hey Guys,

First, thanks in advance to everyone who comments on this thread. I realize how extremely lucky I am to be able to make this decision. I am blessed with two "once in a lifetime" opportunities, so it feels wrong to throw away either one. Hence the dilemma.

Essentially, I'm choosing between a JD/PhD in neuroscience at either Yale or Stanford.

My thoughts so far:

Stanford might would be a significant but potentially welcome change of location (I went to Yale undergrad, have stayed on the East Coast since graduation). It appears to have a stronger presence in neuroscience and law (or just science and law generally - Yale lacks this almost entirely in terms of actual coursework), and has the stronger scientific research. There is also a chance that the school may, through the joint-program, offer me 2 years off law school tuition. I'll know more in the next week or so, but that would be a tremendous incentive as it would amount to nearly $160k.

As for Yale, I feel I might have a slightly richer legal education were I to return. My impression is it would also position me slightly better for either an academic or policy position, though I don't have much insight as to the magnitude of these effects (Any insight guys?). I would undoubtedly profit from the support of a familiar academic community. This support might help me forge my own science law path, but without a large number of like-minded students it could be a struggle. Though I have friends scattered among the various Yale graduate programs, they will eventually leave, and I am not particularly ecstatic about living in New Haven into my thirties.


Also, for reference, I'm equally torn between IP, policy, and academia. So I'm looking for the overall best preparation and also where I will be happiest.

Thanks for your input. Let me know what you think, and feel free to correct any mistaken assumptions.

Congrats on your acceptances. While Yale is known for academia, it seems that's more because of self-selection than actual preparatory advantages for students. Looks like for those interested, success rates are the same between Yale and Stanford.
http://www.concurringopinions.com/archi ... iring.html

Full disclosure, I'm a current Stanford student. One of my professors, who is particularly interested in developing legal scholars, said he taught at Yale for many years because he believed that was the best place to do so. But this year he came to Stanford because that presumption is no longer true.

Initially read this as "Broscience Law," was going to suggest Rutgers.

In my opinion, it's a lot more prestigious to be able to state that you turned down Yale than it is regarding Stanford.

One of the (probably "the") leading law & bioscience scholars in the country is an SLS professor. He is also a Stanford undergrad and YLS grad. You should chat with him.

Too tired to go into more depth (final tomorrow!), but feel free to PM for details.

Vanderbilt

Tough call. For the PhD it's absolutely fundamental that you go to the school with lab or labs you're most interested in working in. Both schools have a number of top neuro faculty (Malenka, Menon, Arnow, among others at Stanford and Blumenfeld, Carlson, Koleske, among others at Yale), so you're not really making a wrong choice here when it comes to the PhD. I think that really should be your focus since you're going to be spending 4-5 years on the PhD separate from the JD degree. In regards to the JD, I think either choice will be absolutely fine for your career goals. Yes, Stanford has one or two faculty members that focus in law and biosciences, but I don't think that should be make or break for you, as Yale professors would be more than happy to work with you to develop papers even if it's not their area of expertise. Pick the schools and the departments that you'll be happiest at for 6-8 years.

retake and ed UVA

Stanford

neurolaw wrote:There is also a chance that the school may, through the joint-program, offer me 2 years off law school tuition. I'll know more in the next week or so, but that would be a tremendous incentive as it would amount to nearly $160k.

Obviously Stanford if this happens. As it stands now, I'd say Yale. The answer is almost always Yale if you're thinking about academia (which is something you mentioned). If you haven't done so, I'd suggest visiting Stanford and getting the feel of the place, even asking to meet some of the neuro faculty. The visit may make your decision for you one way or the other.

I think you need to make this decision based on the strength of the grad programs and how well they fit with you, not the law school.

I would also consider the financial consideration. Yale is cutting two years of debt, that is tough to turn down. Also Yale is known for its placement in academia. Even if this is due to self selection this is how it is viewed and should be considered if you are considering academia.

That being said, well done on getting into this position, I vote Yale though.

Chucky21 wrote:Yale is cutting two years of debt, that is tough to turn down.

Check your RC.

neurolaw wrote:Stanford might would be a significant but potentially welcome change of location (I went to Yale undergrad, have stayed on the East Coast since graduation). It appears to have a stronger presence in neuroscience and law (or just science and law generally - Yale lacks this almost entirely in terms of actual coursework), and has the stronger scientific research. There is also a chance that the school may, through the joint-program, offer me 2 years off law school tuition. I'll know more in the next week or so, but that would be a tremendous incentive as it would amount to nearly $160k.

OP, it sounds like you're sick of New Haven (I can't blame you) and that S has a stronger program in the field you're interested in. Not to mention the possibility of forgoing a VERY significant amount of debt. Therefore, I vote S.

This is probably not the right audience to ask. The law schools are both great and both will position you well for what you want to do (though Yale has a slight edge for academia). As others have said, you should make this decision based on the relative strength of the doctoral programs and the people you'd be working with in those programs.

I'm doing a joint degree at Stanford. Feel free to PM if you have specific questions.

Hugh Greely. Need I say more? Also: MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR congrats on ur acceptances!

Thanks everyone! Just sent in my deposit for Stanford!

neurolaw wrote:Thanks everyone! Just sent in my deposit for Stanford!

Greely responds to personal emails. His email is listed on the website. He's really amiable and helpful.

adam1 wrote:

neurolaw wrote:Thanks everyone! Just sent in my deposit for Stanford!

Greely responds to personal emails. His email is listed on the website. He's really amiable and helpful.

True story. If Stanford had the same loan repayment program as Yale, I would choose Stanford in a heartbeat.