Clinic Availability and Law School Selection Forum

[LawTweet]

I want to go to law school to become a litigator. Specifically a plaintiff-side litigator. In looking at T14 and other law schools, I see huge differences in the number and variety of clinics that schools offer. For instance, I see that NYU offers some really specific ones like Education Advocacy and Domestic Violence clinics whereas Penn and Harvard offer a much smaller number that seem more general. Is this significant? Does it make sense to base law school selection partially off of how their clinics sound? Could more general litigation and advocacy clinics offer the same experiences?

[GreenEggs]

After heavily weighing cost considerations, I think it makes a lot of sense to base law school decisions on clinic selections if you have a clear idea of what kind of law you intend to practice and clinical opportunities exist.

[dudders]

I would look at clinics if you're know you'll be interested, but I would also research (if possible) how popular the clinics are. At my school clinics there were EXTREMELY popular (think 100 students applying for 8 spots in a clinic you can only do as a 3L, so you only get one shot ... ). I would assume at most schools clinics are in relatively high demand and you are by no means guaranteed to get into the clinic of your choice or any clinic at all.

[cavalier1138]

As already mentioned, clinic selection is definitely an important criteria. One thing I'd recommend checking, though, is the availability of the clinic. In general, schools list all their clinics, regardless of whether they're consistently offered. If you know there's a specific clinic that you absolutely have to take, you might want to make sure the professor who leads it isn't going on a sabbatical, etc. And check to see how easy it is to get a spot in the ones that are definitely up and running.

[sluggla]

I would look at clinics if you're know you'll be interested, but I would also research (if possible) how popular the clinics are. At my school clinics there were EXTREMELY popular (think 100 students applying for 8 spots in a clinic you can only do as a 3L, so you only get one shot ... ). I would assume at most schools clinics are in relatively high demand and you are by no means guaranteed to get into the clinic of your choice or any clinic at all.

What does the application cover? Is it based on grades or something more subjective (career aspirations, LOR, etc.)?

[cavalier1138]

I would look at clinics if you're know you'll be interested, but I would also research (if possible) how popular the clinics are. At my school clinics there were EXTREMELY popular (think 100 students applying for 8 spots in a clinic you can only do as a 3L, so you only get one shot ... ). I would assume at most schools clinics are in relatively high demand and you are by no means guaranteed to get into the clinic of your choice or any clinic at all.

What does the application cover? Is it based on grades or something more subjective (career aspirations, LOR, etc.)?

I think it depends on the school and the clinic.

Sometimes it's entirely off grades. Sometimes you have to be interviewed. Sometimes the teacher throws the applications up in the air and throws knives to pin the winners to the wall.

[sluggla]

I would look at clinics if you're know you'll be interested, but I would also research (if possible) how popular the clinics are. At my school clinics there were EXTREMELY popular (think 100 students applying for 8 spots in a clinic you can only do as a 3L, so you only get one shot ... ). I would assume at most schools clinics are in relatively high demand and you are by no means guaranteed to get into the clinic of your choice or any clinic at all.

What does the application cover? Is it based on grades or something more subjective (career aspirations, LOR, etc.)?

I think it depends on the school and the clinic.

Sometimes it's entirely off grades. Sometimes you have to be interviewed. Sometimes the teacher throws the applications up in the air and throws knives to pin the winners to the wall.

In that case, I'll use half a roll of parchment paper to fill out an application.

[despina]

Can't comment more generally but...

Penn and Harvard offer a much smaller number that seem more general.

HLS has a huge number of clinics: https://hls.harvard.edu/content/uploads ... 16-171.pdf

You're not guaranteed to get the clinic you want the first time you try, but everyone who wants to take a clinic can take one every semester, and most clinics if you rate it highly when registering, or apply several times, you'll eventually get it. Almost all HLS students take at least one clinic, and a significant number of students take a clinic each semester of 2L and 3L.