Stanford or Columbia for pre-law

<p>Stanford or Columbia for pre-law</p>

<p>Which school provides you with the best undergraduate curriculum to build a firm academic foundation for pre-law students? As a pre-law student, I need to find a place with rich intellectual environment and great faculty in social science fields, like economics and political science. I would like to know which school is better for these two subjects? My goal is to obtain a J.D in the law school of Yale or Harvard. So, is there any difference of having my undergraduate years in Stanford or Columbia? I’m a bit concerned about Stanford, since it is a school normally regarded for techys, and I am not quite sure how are the social science and humanity departments in Stanford compared with Columbia. Columbia is a ivy school, while Stanford is not, will I feel uncomfortable coming to Yale/Harvard for law school from Stanford, rather than Columbia?</p>

<p>Please help me. I need to make a decision soon!!!</p>

<p>Tedy, I am also looking to go to law school and applied ED to Columbia over SCEA to Stanford. My issue with Stanford was a lack of undergraduate focus and the more Silicon Valley Tech Industry push.</p>

<p>Something around 40% of any class at Columbia will go to med school or law school. Columbia prides itself on providing an atmosphere of massive debate, which is great for law school. The Core fits right into a strong background in the social sciences and the humanities. </p>

<p>Stanford has the more collegiate feel with the athletics, but Columbia students display great pride for their school, even though the athletics may be sub-par (I am a huge sports fan and am ok with going to a fairly un-athletic school). </p>

<p>Columbia does not offer a pre-law major, but the law school emphasis is there. Personally, I would go with Columbia because of the Core and atmosphere.</p>

<p>From the perspective of location....
I live in Northern California about 20 minutes from Stanford. The city that surrounds Stanford (because Stanford is a city on its own- Stanford, California) in my opinion is not the best place for a budding pre-law type person to be at. It's extremely well off and preppy and it feels very isolated from the world. This is my opinion. Yes, there are nice eateries and a cute little independent film theater that I must admit I spend time at near Stanford... but hands down I think that Columbia has the better surroundings for someone interested in law. New York City is more in touch with the world, has more opportunities, and has more ways to develop yourself as a person. Political science is a popular major at Columbia and many of the students that go there are interested in political science and activism. Columbia as an institution is well known for its political activism and awareness. I want to go to law school myself, and I know that if I had to stay in Palo Alto for four years, I'd shoot myself. But once again...this is my opinion.</p>

<p>Tedy, I also am from California (although Southern, unlike lilsmiley). For pre-law, Columbia is the way to go. Plus, if you want to attend Stanford Law, Stanford rejects somewhere on the order of 95% or up of undergrads for grad schools.</p>

<p>Since you will probably change your career goals at least once, don't go to a school for pre-law. Take it from a former "pre-law," most people will not go through with it.</p>

<p>Go to a school for the overall experience, and if you do plan on going into law, you'll be a better candidate.</p>

<p>TEDY199, I really, really wouldn't worry about this. I'm an HLS grad and a law school admissions advisor. Both Columbia and Stanford are extremely strong and have great placement records at all the top law schools; they're both in the top ten feeders for HLS & YLS. Go where you are more excited to go, and chances are you'll do better there and end up with better law school admissions choices. Both your options are stellar; pick where you want to spend 4 years.</p>