Harvard for public interest - worth it? Forum

[HYSplease]

I don't think I want to do big law.

[cavalier1138]

Can you be more specific?

What kind of PI work are you interested in? Do you expect to qualify for need-based aid? LSAT/GPA?

[HYSplease]

Can you be more specific?

What kind of PI work are you interested in? Do you expect to qualify for need-based aid? LSAT/GPA?

All I know for sure is I would like to clerk before transitioning to either an appellate unit or a top PD office. Looking over HLS's page on aid I should qualify for some but definitely not the max they offer.

Obviously don't know all financial details yet but think there is a chance I get $$-$$$ from one of NYU or Michigan based on my research of accepted students with similar stats. Going to assume I don't get the Root scholarship because that would obviously be my top choice.

[The Lsat Airbender]

I don't think I want to do big law.

All I know for sure is I would like to clerk before transitioning to either an appellate unit or a top PD office.

Sorry if I'm reading too much into this, but it sounds like you care more about preſtige than about, well, the public interest. This has a big impact on your hireability (PD offices especially want true believers) and also the extent to which you enjoy PI as a career - and it's a career that, once started, is hard to exit from.