T14 as a moderate conservative Forum

[student01928]

Hi everyone. Based on my LSAT and GPA I am eyeing applying to T14 law schools this fall, and think it is likely I will be accepted to at least a few of them as long as I don't flub my essays. However, I am a relatively moderate conservative, and have heard plenty of horror stories (especially about Yale, Northwestern, and Berkeley Law). I've heard that UVA, Chicago, and Duke tend to be most friendly to more conservative students, but conservatives can be found at most of the T14s especially in FedSoc groups.

My question is for right-leaning students at any T14, but especially Yale, Northwestern, UC schools, and Stanford. Have you felt the need to hide political views at your school? How has your student body responded to recent events such as Israel-Gaza war, Dobbs, Chevron overturn, SEC v Jarkesy, etc.. I don't mind going to a school that's predominantly liberal (my undergraduate institution certainly is) but I want to make sure admin and student body is at least open-minded and I would not face significant social or clerkship related discrimination at the school I attend.

[talons2250]

You'll be fine. I wouldn't let this influence your choice of school except maybe as a tiebreaker or something like that. Most law students at T14 schools (even the super lefty ones) at least pay lip service to hearing out opposing views and defending arguments with logic and whatnot (which is sadly not always the case for many undergraduates, even very smart ones at elite schools). Unless you're planning on being super openly troll-ish (like openly accusing minority faculty of only being hired because of DEI or something like that), then the vast majority of students and faculty won't hate you. In fact, you'll experience some benefits from being conservative. It's generally much easier for conservatives to get elite clerkships, for instance. I went to NYU Law (famously left-leaning) and the handful of conservatives there found each other and seemed happy in their little bubble. Others didn't care to antagonize them at all, really.

[nealric]

I would not face significant social or clerkship related discrimination at the school I attend.

I attended one T14 and was married to my spouse when they attended another. Both of us had friends across the political spectrum. I wouldn't worry one bit. Most people really won't care about your political views that much unless you are a jerk about them. Being conservative is probably a bonus for clerkships as FedSoc is a very strong clerkship pipeline (much more developed than the liberal ACS equivalent).