Harvard vs. Stanford for health law Forum

[bmenginerd]

I've been accepted to Harvard, Columbia, NYU, Duke. Still waiting to hear back from Yale, Stanford, Chicago, Penn. But based on my interests I've basically narrowed it down to Harvard and Stanford (if by some chance I get accepted).

I'm interested in health law, bioethics, and policy. I'm ultimately hoping for a career split between bioethics research and translation into health policy. Most likely looking for a post-doc or policy research position after graduation, so clerkships and law firm opportunities aren't part of my consideration.

I would ideally like a less competitive, more personal environment, but I know I can survive competition for a few years. Money would be nice, but it's not a deciding factor for me.

Any thoughts on those two? Or anyone think there are worthy reasons to consider one of my other schools over Harvard? TIA!

[cavalier1138]

I think you're considering all the wrong factors. You've got a ton of great options, so you should be focused on price.

What is your COA at each school?

[BoyJord]

Out of curiosity why is Duke not still in the mix?

[bmenginerd]

I don't have finaid offers yet (applied late in the process), but I probably won't qualify for much need-based aid at any school. As I said, money would be great, but I am fortunate that it is not a significant factor for me.

I went to Duke for undergrad. I've already taken classes with a couple of the law professors and all of the bioethics faculty. They're fantastic people, would give me great opportunities since they already like and trust me, and I absolutely love Duke. But I feel like it would be more beneficial to be to make new connections and be exposed to new viewpoints. I would strongly consider returning to Duke eventually for a post-doc or beginning faculty position.

[cavalier1138]

I don't have finaid offers yet (applied late in the process), but I probably won't qualify for much need-based aid at any school. As I said, money would be great, but I am fortunate that it is not a significant factor for me.

I went to Duke for undergrad. I've already taken classes with a couple of the law professors and all of the bioethics faculty. They're fantastic people, would give me great opportunities since they already like and trust me, and I absolutely love Duke. But I feel like it would be more beneficial to be to make new connections and be exposed to new viewpoints. I would strongly consider returning to Duke eventually for a post-doc or beginning faculty position.

Why law school? It seems like you're more interested in a doctoral program.

I'm genuinely not familiar with the field. Do you need a JD for bioethics research and potential academia?

[BoyJord]

I don't have finaid offers yet (applied late in the process), but I probably won't qualify for much need-based aid at any school. As I said, money would be great, but I am fortunate that it is not a significant factor for me.

I went to Duke for undergrad. I've already taken classes with a couple of the law professors and all of the bioethics faculty. They're fantastic people, would give me great opportunities since they already like and trust me, and I absolutely love Duke. But I feel like it would be more beneficial to be to make new connections and be exposed to new viewpoints. I would strongly consider returning to Duke eventually for a post-doc or beginning faculty position.

Cool cool. Can't think of a better reason to cut it from the short-list. (Unless it turns out to be significantly cheaper than every other option)

[bmenginerd]

Why law school? It seems like you're more interested in a doctoral program.

I'm genuinely not familiar with the field. Do you need a JD for bioethics research and potential academia?

~edited to remove personal info~

Several of the bioethics leaders have just JDs. Some have PhDs in philosophy, health science research, or some hard science. Some have both. There's not really a direct path into bioethics, which is somewhat frustrating but also exciting. I'm hoping my research would combine legal research and empirical ethics methods.

I know this is a rather unconventional path, so it may be a longshot to ask about this on TLS! But I appreciate the advice

[Rigo]

I wouldn't go to law school tbh.
MPP instead maybe, or just stick with the phd.

[Rigo]

I'd honestly minimize debt. It's very unclear if you will qualify for public interest repayment plans and you'll be adding more educational debt on top of the cost of a JD. Sounds like a nightmare unless you're wealthy and money is no object.

[bmenginerd]

Okay, well, I am going to law school. I've done my homework on it and I know it's the right move for my career. If anyone actually has any thoughts on which school would be better for health law I'd appreciate it.

[Alexandros]

.

[Rigo]

Assuming this will involve debt, you should look into what qualifies as eligible employment under LRAP for each.
Iirc, H's LRAP includes academia (and is overall more flexible) and S's does not. But read the fine print to verify, because I may be wrong there.

H's includes working for "academic organizations" but S's includes all undergrad and graduate debt whereas H's only includes up to $30k of undergrad debt and no graduate debt.

The reason I highlight these considerations is it seems like OP has taken on/will take on more schooling than a mere JD. However, I'm unsure if OP's eventual job will be covered by either. Yale would probably be best if that was on the table since its LRAP can be used for literally any job and OP will probably utilize that flexibility more than any other applicant I've seen on TLS recently.

If you have that Duke full ride though (assuming you have one or a lot of $$$ there), I say take it and run. Your future career path can go so many ways that the minimal debt will be the most liberating thing here imo.

[trebekismyhero]

Agree with Rigo. If Yale accepts you, go there. Otherwise, I think Duke makes the most sense (assuming you got a big scholarship). Especially if you already know those professors it will make it easier to get research opportunities with them.

[Nebby]

I've been accepted to Harvard, Columbia, NYU, Duke. Still waiting to hear back from Yale, Stanford, Chicago, Penn. But based on my interests I've basically narrowed it down to Harvard and Stanford (if by some chance I get accepted).

I'm interested in health law, bioethics, and policy. I'm ultimately hoping for a career split between bioethics research and translation into health policy. Most likely looking for a post-doc or policy research position after graduation, so clerkships and law firm opportunities aren't part of my consideration. I'm currently working in bioethics and hoping to defer for a year. I'm also considering adding a joint PhD in health policy.

I would ideally like a less competitive, more personal environment, but I know I can survive competition for a few years. I also have a lot of family on the east coast, so that's a pull. Money would be nice, but it's not a deciding factor for me.

Any thoughts on those two? Or anyone think there are worthy reasons to consider one of my other schools over Harvard? TIA!

Honestly have no idea why you're going to law school if these are your goals.

[Alexandros]

.

[Rigo]

Go in and read the LRAP eligibility and terms with a fine tooth comb if you will likely be taking that route (I assume you want to since you won't be making the biglaw bucks). You more than anybody needs to do their due diligence here since it doesn't seem likely or apparent that you'll fall into the normal realm of what's considered public interest.

Maybe you're a millionaire trust fund baby and all this LRAP discussion is unnecessary. Idk.

Echoing the rethink law school entirely/you have a good thing going now/don't waste 3 years sentiment again.

[pancakes3]

getting a 4.0 in BME then going to law school seems like a waste of brainpower.

[nimbus cloud]

OP did mention that money is not a significant factor for him.

[Npret]

Okay, well, I am going to law school. I've done my homework on it and I know it's the right move for my career. If anyone actually has any thoughts on which school would be better for health law I'd appreciate it.

How does a JD benefit you? I'm curious because it seems unnecessary when you have no intention of practicing law.

As for schools, because your focus is so narrow I would contact the relevant professors in the schools you are considering and tell them what you are considering. Ask questions. See where you fit in the best.

[LoganCouture]

OP did mention that money is not a significant factor for him.

Yeah, based on "money not being an issue" (i.e. significant family support) I think the real risk is not of OP being debtfucked or LRAP ineligible but not getting the niche job s/he wants to have out of law school.

[rpupkin]

Any thoughts on those two? Or anyone think there are worthy reasons to consider one of my other schools over Harvard? TIA!

My thoughts are that either HLS or SLS would be a poor fit for your goals. Because they're law schools.

[lawlorbust]

Any thoughts on those two? Or anyone think there are worthy reasons to consider one of my other schools over Harvard? TIA!

My thoughts are that either HLS or SLS would be a poor fit for your goals. Because they're law schools.

Am I missing something? Not being facetious; didn't OP expressly state that he wanted to do "x, y, and health law?"

[Rigo]

OP did mention that money is not a significant factor for him.

Simply saying money isn't a deciding factor doesn't mean significant wealth or family support in my mind. People say that for a variety of reasons (one being to preempt discussion despite a heavy debt load), so I don't want to assume.

[rpupkin]

Any thoughts on those two? Or anyone think there are worthy reasons to consider one of my other schools over Harvard? TIA!

My thoughts are that either HLS or SLS would be a poor fit for your goals. Because they're law schools.

Am I missing something? Not being facetious; didn't OP expressly state that he wanted to do "x, y, and health law?"

Yeah, you missed the part where OP described career goals that do not involve the practice of law.

OP, you wrote: "Okay, well, I am going to law school. I've done my homework on it and I know it's the right move for my career. If anyone actually has any thoughts on which school would be better for health law I'd appreciate it."

Sorry to be blunt, but anyone who did the background research you're describing would not be on a message board asking folks "which school would be better for health law?"

My advice is that you think all this through more carefully.

[BlendedUnicorn]

Yeah law school almost certainly isn't what you're looking for.