It’s that time of the year where talented and accomplished law school applicants must decide: where should I go to law school? With multiple acceptances and shiny admissions packets in hand, these folks can have trouble deciding which school would fit them best. I was in the same position three years ago. I remember how difficult it was to pick one school among the many. In case it may help those making this decision now, I thought I’d share how and why I decided to send my deposit to Harvard.
I applied to law school with a very particular interest: disability law. Disability law isn’t exactly the most popular passion at law schools nowadays. Since only a few law schools have robust disability law programs, I knew that had to apply broadly to schools with and without disability law programs. In the end, my decision came down to three top-tier schools: Harvard, one with a renowned public interest program, and one with a renowned disability law program.
In comparing Harvard to the school with the strong public interest program, I realized quickly that Harvard took the cake. Harvard’s public interest funding was more robust than the other school, and Harvard’s public interest office was very eager to help me find disability law opportunities. In my first meeting with Alexa Shabecoff, the head of Harvard’s Office of Public Interest Advising, I asked her (with low expectations) whether she knew anything about careers in disability law. She provided me with a list of over thirty organizations that specialize in disability law in the United States. When I told her about my two dream jobs—at a disability legal organization in California and at the Department of Justice’s Office of Disability Rights—she put me in touch with an alumnae, a student, and a professor who had worked at one (or both) of those organizations. After that meeting, I knew Harvard had the resources I would need to have a successful career in disability law. Its financial support for public interest and its network of professors and alumni trumped those of the other school.
The harder decision then came between Harvard and the school with a renowned disability law program. I spoke on the phone to a disability law professor at the other school. When I asked him if he thought I should go to his school or Harvard, he gave a surprising answer. He said that his school’s disability law community was large and active, and he thought that I would enjoy myself there. However, he said that if I wanted to have access to the best job opportunities in disability law, I should go to Harvard. He felt that Harvard’s reputation and network would open more doors to me—even in the disability community—than his university. I took his advice and accepted my spot at Harvard.
And I have not been disappointed! Before I made my decision, I didn’t realize how Harvard’s larger-than-average law school size would be such an asset, particularly for someone with a niche interest like me. Harvard’s size allows people with unique interests to find a critical mass of professors and other students who are interested in the same topic. While at Harvard, I have been able to participate in two disability law classes, one disability law clinical, two disability-related extracurricular activities, and one disability law reading group. I have met with three disability law professors about papers, summer jobs, and class assignments. One of the professors even offered me the opportunity to travel internationally and work on the U.N. Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities! However, thanks to Harvard, I had already secured one of my dream jobs: the Department of Justice’s Office of Disability Rights. And Harvard paid for my living expenses while I worked there as an unpaid intern.
I am so thankful for the opportunities Harvard has given me. I think that any person with any legal interest could make a home among Harvard’s stellar student, professor, and advisor community. If you find yourself in the shoes I was in three years ago and would like to chat about this important decision, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or to anyone else at HLS!
– Emily
