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Access to brilliant scholars. Your classmates are exceptional and you'll have a network for the rest of your career.
DownersIt's still law school. Most YLS students are ambitious strivers also.
CommentsNew Haven is a perfectly pleasant place to spend your law school days. It might not be New York, but it's close enough (literally).
Would You RecommendYes
The school is great! The professors are the best, and the world's best law firms recruit from here.
DownersThe workload is a lot, and there isn't a lot of opportunity for a social life outside of school.
CommentsI would definitely recommend coming to Yale Law if given the chance but be aware of the crime rate here in New Haven.
Would You RecommendYes
Excellent clinical program that offers meaningful hands-on experience. Opens many doors upon graduation.
DownersNot super transparent; many opportunities are not publicly advertised and are instead communicated via word-of-mouth connections.
CommentsEven if you aren't sure if you want to be a lawyer, a Yale Law School degree is valuable.
Would You RecommendYes
Freedom to pursue whatever your heart desires
Intelligent, thoughtful classmates
Opens a world of opportunity
DownersLimited course offerings given its size
Some professors are too far in the clouds
Sometimes annoyingly PC, even from a traditional liberal's perspective
CommentsIf you get into YLS and you do not attend, you have made a mistake. The experience alone is worth the debt and the opportunities is affords you are amazing.
Would You RecommendYes
Tons of highly influential speakers visit YLS, which is a nice perk. The benefits arising out of a JD from Yale are numerous.
DownersLack of diversity--both racially and economically. Most students come from privileged families and are highly reserved. It can feel like the entire student body is worried about the day they're running for office and some horrible story from law school surfaces.
CommentsThe weight of a degree from YLS is unmatched. It is totally worth it to spend 3 years in the frigid cold for the payoff it will have.
Would You RecommendYes
Wonderful access to professors, who are the top legal minds in the field; amazing classmates; no grades; incredible opportunities
DownersNo grades can lead to some pushiness in getting professors' attention
CommentsIf you get into YLS, you should definitely go to YLS.
Would You RecommendYes
When describing YLS, I like to paraphrase Winston Churchill's take on democracy: Yale is the worst law school, except all the other ones. Some of the best experiences I had were beyond YLS. You can take one class per semester outside the law school, no questions asked, and another if you can make a case that it will further your career goals. I was able to take two science classes and audit a third one semester. The social events for law students are pretty good, and there's a lot of flexibility with research.
I really enjoyed the trial practice classes, taught by real trial lawyers.
DownersMany of the professors are renowned scholars but not good teachers. People at YLS are mostly type-A overachievers and many people go in already planning a career in politics. It's very "political" not so much in the sense that people are politically active (although that's the case) but in the sense that people seek to cultivate a "popular" image and make the "right" friends that will benefit their future political careers. Competition over grades (honors) only matters for those looking to clerk or work at the few firms that care about YLS grades (some elite firms so, some don't). The weather in New Haven is terrible most of the academic year. (It's great in the summer but you probably don't want to spend your summers in New Haven because you'll have amazing opportunities beyond.)
CommentsI didn't do a clinic, but from my friends' experiences, it was a very rewarding experience and provided a lot of practical career skills.
Would You RecommendNo
YLS, due to its unique structure and grading system, will really let people specialize within the first year of law school. Also, the school has a very strong academic bent, so if you're a thinker you will enjoy the place. For more practical work/opportunities, as long as you're a go-getter, you will be able to find opportunities in every practice area/field you want. Finally, the YLS name itself opens many doors (sometimes unwarranted).
DownersThe school makes a huge point about it not being a competitive place ("you are off the treadmill"). This is false. The school actually facilitates and encourages the fierce competition for so-called gold stars (clerkships, FIP, RAships, etc). People get sucked into chasing these gold stars even if they did not mean to do so coming in.
CommentsYLS has/opens up SO MANY opportunities - so many so that you will inevitably get some FOMO. However, keep your eyes on the goal and really pursue what you came to law school for.
Would You RecommendYes
Small, collegial environment; diversity of academic offerings; great professor to student ratio
DownersProfessors aren't always invested in teaching; More funding for student organizations needed
CommentsYou can't go wrong coming here, it's a fantastic opportunity to define your own law school experience. Undoubtedly, YLS will set you up for future success.
Would You RecommendYes
The intellectual and theoretical environment and the wide range of opportunities
DownersThe intelligence and accomplishments of your peers can be intimidating
CommentsIf you have the chance to attend Yale Law School, attend Yale Law School
Would You RecommendYes
